Silvertone Models 4488 and 4588 (Chassis No.101412) and 4488A and 4588A (Chassis No. 101412A) Radio Service Data Sheet
June 1937 Radio-Craft

June 1937 Radio-Craft

[Table of Contents]

Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Craft, published 1929 - 1953. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

The Silvertone brand of radios was manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company by Colonial Radio. This particular mid-1930s Model 4488 that covered broadcast, shortwave, and police bands was very popular, and the Radio Service Data Sheet published in the June 1937 issue of Radio-Craft magazine was a full two pages. NostalgiaAir.com has the more extensive Rider data pack. It had a very ornate wood laminate decor, along with many 'extra' features found only in high-end radios of the day - such as a Flash Tuner! More detail can be found on the RadioMuseum.org website.

Silvertone Models 4488 and 4588 (Chassis No.101412) and 4488A and 4588A (Chassis No. 101412A)

This receiver is manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Co. by Colonial Radio Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., from whom replacement parts should be ordered. Intermediate frequency is 465 kc, To reduce code or other interference, a wave-trap may be obtained, and inserted as - in Figs. 2H and 2I, below. Its leads should be as short as mechanically possible, and excess lengths cut off. If necessary, tune wave-trap off the I.F. to that of the interference. It should be noted that this trap reduces sensitivity on the long-wave end of the broadcast band by 50 per cent.

If a whistle is heard on a 930 kc. station, this is due to a beat with 2nd harmonic of the I.F. If there is such a station, often listened to, the I.F. is altered by turning I.F.T. trimmers, with a signal generator, until it is, say, 457.5 kc, (Determine at what point on the tuning range the whistle would cause least interference - between stations, presumably - and divide this by 2. Half of 915 kc., for instance, is 457.5 kc., as above.)

Audio howl may be due to failure to remove wooden strips under the chassis as shipped, or pieces of tape at the rear holding dial housing to cabinet. Remove these and let chassis rest on rubber cushions.

The center dial light is removed by pulling the small handle projecting from rear-center of housing. Be careful not to push lamp holder too far, after replacing. (Fig. 2G.)

The Flash-Tuning lamp is removed through a small snap cover on the top of the dial housing (see Fig. 2G). Dial pointer should be straight up, and arm that carries lamp exactly in line with it. If light is only slightly out of line, adjust lamp shade.

Posted November 27th, 2023
(updated from original post on 7/4/2017)

Radio Service Data Sheets

These schematics, tuning instructions, and other data are reproduced from my collection of vintage radio and electronics magazines. As back in the era, similar schematic and service info was available for purchase from sources such as SAMS Photofacts, but these printings were a no-cost bonus for readers. There are 227 Radio Service Data Sheets as of December 28, 2020.

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Silvertone Models 4488 and 4588 (Chassis No.101412) and 4488A and 4588A (Chassis No. 101412A) Radio Service Data SheetJune 1937 Radio-Craft

Silvertone Models 4488 and 4588 (Chassis No.101412) and 4488A and 4588A (Chassis No. 101412A) Radio Service Data Sheet
June 1937 Radio-Craft