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Murphy Radio 1938 continued.

The previous page looked at the A52 at the top of the 1938 range, but you could buy an A46 Murphy for almost half the price. In fact the Murphy A46 and A48 receivers were of a fairly similar circuit design, both using five valves. The main difference was the method the user utilised to tune in a station. The A46 featured a conventional scale with normal travelling cursor, whereas the A48 used Murphy’s method of alphabetical tuning first seen in 1936. Both cabinets were designed by R.D.Russell, though the A46 also had some input from Eden Minns, who would later design the distinctive AD94 bakelite set. The A46 is often said to be inspired somewhat by the “Arts and Crafts” style, and in spite of being at the bottom of the Murphy range in 1938 is today quite sought after. The example above is as yet unrestored, and it can be seen that the speaker cloth has a major tear, as well as some kind of sticker to the left of the cloth. In the chassis view of the set you can see that I am prepared for the restoration, as I have a spare speaker board with good cloth ready. This was obtained from a scrapped set many years ago - it is always worth storing suitable spares for future use when the opportunity arises. Valve line-up is AC/TH1, AC/VP2, HL41DD, AC5/PEN, UU6.

Shown left is the Murphy A46 console. This utilises the same chassis as the A46 table receiver shown above together with a larger loudspeaker, but unfortunately is not as good looking as the table model. As the chassis was primarily for the table model, the voltage changing panel on the top of the mains transformer is located in a position where it is difficult to see the selectable voltages or indeed to move the screw-in voltage selector. Aerial and earth etc sockets have been extended to a small paxolin panel at the rear of the cabinet. Valve line-up is AC/TH1, AC/VP2, HL41DD, AC5/PEN, UU6.

With volume and tone, wavelength and tuning controls concentrically mounted as pairs on the front, the A48 cabinet is maybe not as easy on the eye as the A46, a comment that might also be applied to the next set up the 1938 range, the A50, with its smoked mirror glass tuning surround. Notice that the chassis to the A48 is mounted in the top half of the cabinet, with the speaker located beneath it. Although not too clear from the compressed photographs above, it is encouraging that both chassis are deeply coated in dust (about 1/4 inch in both cases). This suggests that the sets have not been "messed about with" by inexperienced restorers. Valve line-up is AC/TH1, AC/VP2, HL41DD, AC5/PEN, UU4.

Shown in these pictures is the Murphy A50. This set is not one of R.D. Russell's most captivating designs, but at about 2 feet long at 18" high it is massive, and looks impressive in real life. The AC4/PEN output valve is more powerful than that fitted in the receivers shown above, and can deliver almost 7w. The output transformer is also a noticeably "meaty" component that delivers very good sound quality into the 10" loudspeaker. Felt has been applied to all the edges where the back panel meets the cabinet to reduce the chances of vibration. This receiver features the smoked mirror tuning escutcheon first seen in the A40C, together with a mahogany cabinet. Valve line-up is AC/VP2, AC/TH1, AC/VP2, HL41DD, ME41, AC4/PEN, UU4.

Continue to 1938 full range details.