Hardwood 1969-1970 Emerson Model 31T56 AM FM Solid State Radio Sounds Fantastic! World Traveled!
DESCRIPTION: Manufactured by Emerson in the 1969-1970 time frame in excellent working and excellent physical condition. Featuring solid state electronics this modern style radio design has a oak wood construction cabinet.
PROVENANCE: This radio was lovingly given to me by the daughter of its original owner who bought it new and cared for it throughout its life. She writes,
"...Here is the Emerson 31T56. Hope you can easily fix it up and find a home. My mother Margaret probably bought it in the 1960s in Lawrence Kansas and kept it tuned to the local NPR station at the university. In 1975 when I was in college she up and joined the US State Dept as a secretary and took this radio with her to Geneva Switzerland, Damascus Syria, London UK and Beijing China where she served until her retirement in 1984. She loved the radio and its great sound quality (for its era) and would be delighted to know that it is being fixed up by someone who has a great appreciatioon for vintage radios and who will find it a good home.
I am so impressed with your work, your website and your enthusiasm for preserving and restoring vintage radios... "
Owner's written card is included with the sale.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM and FM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment. Clear and resonant with excellent selectivity and sensitivity.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original factory constructed wood cabinet. Solid no cracks or major scratches. There is a small veneer chip on the right side. Not repainted or refinished. No touch ups. No over spray. None needed. The wood cabinet is strong and sturdy. The controls panel and aluminum trim is in excellent original condition with no dents, dings, or major scratches. No rust or oxidation. Function lettering and numbering is not worn off. Grill fabric is original with no rips, no fraying, no seperation along edges. The grill cloth does have a faint stain towards bottom right.
KNOBS: Factory original matching tuning and and volume knobs are silver chrome in excellent condition with no paint flaking or rub off.
LOGO: Original Emerson logo on left corner of grill is in excellent condition and securely attached.
DIAL LIGHT: Original orange glowing gas dial light lights up as designed. Will not burn out.
CLOCK: No clock
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: There is no loud or pervasive hum. There is no loud or pervasive static between stations. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected.
POWER CORD: The original power cord and plug are in excellent condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring.
BACKING BOARD: Original factory fiberboard cover is in excellent condition and securely mounted.
FACTORY LABELS AND STICKERS: No missing bottom labels.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 17" x 7.5" x 8" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 10 lbs 9 oz
COLOR: hardwood
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
ADD A SMART SPEAKER: See info here
ADD DIAL LIGHT: See info here
Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: wood
Period: 1970s
Country of manufacture: Japan
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Solid state transistor circuit.