ace: Sub Model Question.

I have in my possession an Ace Radio A50 but mine was made to special order by a department store. It is electrically almost identical to the A50 radio but has physical differences. The tuning scale is different with a different logo. The speaker grille and decoration is the same style as the later model A51 but the control layout is A50. The radio itself has no manufacturer information or identifying plates except for the branding of the store. 

Would this be classed as a sub model and require its own page under the store brand or would my information be added to the existing page? I understand that the brand Jonell is not a manufacturer but it is an in house brand of a department store that is still in business today, John Lewis.

What is the correct ettiquet for this radio? I am in the process of restoring the set and have a large collection of high resolution images for it as it was without any modifications, especially the chassis and components. Once I have completed the work I will have some full images of the finished set as well as probably several hours of video of the work in progress. 

I would love for this to be a useful contribution to the site but do not wish to upset anyone by just blindly creating pages without consideration. Please advise me as to the best way to proceed.

Many Thanks in advance,

George Christofi

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It gets a new model page, with John Lewis as "Maker".

Very many radios & TVs may come from the same factory but have different branding. Such as Silvercrest, Black Diamond and others made by same Turkish company. Or Roberts radios (just a badge today owned by Glen Dimplex) same as some Asian brands.

What counts is not who "really" made it but (a) What it looks like, (b) The branding an owner would see.

In 1950s PAM, Invicta and Pye were all Pye and could be identical chassis made in Pye factory. They have different makers and model pages. Similarly after 1928 EMI actually owned Columbia Graphaphone and HMV and had a licence to use Marconiphone brand for domestic radios. You'll find basically the same 1930s chassis under three makers and with three model pages. They changed appearance slightly.

Also Lissen & Ever Ready, from 1935 to 1942 roughtly.

There is a Cossor & Ever ready using same chassis.

Ever  Ready Personal B, an HMV and Marconiphone seem all to have been made by Plessey, very nearly identical chassis.

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Many Thanks for the response. 

I shall create the model page for aproval and add some the pictures that I have when processed. 

I will check the schematic against the one I downloaded for the A50 to make sure it is identical, or change values where differences occur. Once that is done, if there are no changes I would reference the original service sheet that is already against the A50 model.

George Christofi

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Hello George

I have been looking at your proposal for the Jonell radio.

How did you conclude it was made by ACE and also how did you conclude it was made for the John Lewis chain of stores.

I saw the image you posted of the front and back of the radio and can see lots of differences between it and the Ace A50. The rear sockets are mounted differently, and the transformer seems so small it may be just an auto transformer supplying the valve heaters. The layout of the controls are also spaced differently.

The only apparent branding on the radio I can see is Jonell, and I cant find any historical evidence to link Jonell with John Lewis or Ace.

Mike

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I identified the set after a question I raised in the UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration forum where I was pointed to an article, the author of which had previously commented about his own Jonell set and that he worked for the company and had managed to get the company archivist to dig out information on his set.

The article was published 15 years ago for the British Vintage Wireless Society and a link to the article is Here. The article starts on page 24.

I have since had replies on the thread in the UKVRR forum from another member there with an identical set he was restoring and his radio is identical to mine as well as to the other mentioned in the article.

I hope this helps.

George Christofi

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Do upload the original photos now the Jonell Table Model page exists.

There is also at least a radiogram (1950s) and a Dansette clone transportable record player (maybe 1960s) of the Jonell brand, later Jonelle and then discontinued by John Lewis.

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