This seldom seen 1271 Tombstone made by Stewart Warner will be a nice addition to any radio collectors collection. I picked this up at an auction last year and is 3rd in line next to be restored in my cabinet shop, bringing back to its former glory. This design of cabinet is awesome to say the least. It has all the looks of a style that is soothing to the eyes , back in the day when the great depression was going strong so was this radio setting somewhere turned on with its soft light illuminating the dial while the folks listed to the things happening in there world. Well its time to get this radio back to pristine condition so it may live again in this world in witch it was created.

I started on the SW 1271 today, first I glued the top back on and glued any joints that needed gluing. Then sanded the areas around where the filler was applied on each side of the top because some wood was broken off. This filler took the place of the missing wood and will be painted over like factory did it. I did remove some bad veneer along the bottom section on a little on the front section. The substrate will be saved on re glued. The front panel of veneer will be left on but will be coved over with new Bubinga waterfall or know as African Rosewood. I purchased some off Ebay, I looked and looked for veneer that matched and found Bubinga was it. Maybe next week I will install the veneer on the cabinet, this radio will look great when finished. The speaker tests OK, the chassis will be bead blasted and painted and all cleaned up.

Should look awesome! As far as that veneer on the front; I'm not one to argue typically, but that looks an awful lot like quilt maple when you sanded off the color coat. Anyhow, either way, should look spectacular when you're done with it!

I looked at some quilted maple and it looks like that's it, I ordered bubinga water fall , too late now, as you said it will look stunning ether way. It may even look better, its a real nice piece of veneer I'm getting the 1271.

Yeah, this will truly be a one-of-a-kind. Again, seeing what you've done before, I'm sure this will be fantastic.

The veneer I ordered came in today for the 1271. This is called African rose wood (Bubinga) its what I picked out that looked like what was on there from factory. I may have choosen the wrong veneer but is very close,am going to use it anyway. Should be stunning when finished . This radio I will name my ( little jewel) The chassis will be completely gone thur and will be bead blasted and painted a have very nice finish.

Gorgeous veneer! I agree, whether it's the original material type or not, it should be wonderful when it's done.

African Rosewood is a beautiful veneer. Very popular these days .
Its flavor of the month ! I see it a lot.

Pete

I love bubinga. Hearne Hardwoods in Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania has solid bubinga stair treads at their facility. Check out the tree at their website homepage.

http://hearnehardwoods.com/

I just visited that site you provided, that's amazing wood . I love all the deferent patterns in all the veneers that are available from trees around the world.

Chassis has been disassembled and bead blasted and now sits in primer till I can paint it. The cabinet has been reglued and will soon get new veneer.

Cabinet veneer almost done and the chassis is coming right along.

It is looking good! It is obviously a significant effort.

Cabinet is coming right along adding veneer to entire sides and top. The sides were sectioned up to the top and blended together to give the cabinet some more character . The top I had tured the grain in a vertical direction with some good looking grain pattern. Now I have it grain filled and will sand smooth and start putting on the color and sealer.

The cabinet is now done and looks great, getting the chassis fixed up and hope it will play as good as it looks. Another radio has been saved.

Wow Fred, That is just amazing! I would have thought that was beyond saving.

Got my little Jewel up and playing and is all done now, that radio was an undertaking. Well worth the effort to bring back this somewhat rare tombstone, these just don't turn up like many other radios do. Good sounding set with 3 short wave bands and standard broadcast. New dial installed , was pleased with quality of new dial and surprised it was available. The cloth is very close to color of old fabric but doesn't have the diamond pattern of original. Radio cabinet very sturdy and solid now and somewhat heavy. Color of the rosewood veneer looks grand with the matching tone of the top and sides makes this cabinet a real looker. New capacitors and some wires was all it took to get her going. Chassis was bead blasted to remove years of crud and rust, was primed and painted and now protected from the elements for a long time to come. Another restoration that will go down in my books, I cant say how many radios I've restored but should be around 150 or so

Very nice!!!!

WOW Fred! You never fail to impress.