GE Radio Phonograph

Q: I’m trying to find information about this 1950s upright GE record player cabinet. It’s Model G 502 h and has several patent numbers on the back. After hours of searching, I can’t find anything about it. Can you help?

A: General Electric made these stereo radio/phonographs at their plant in Decatur, Illinois. The company claimed more phonographs were built in Decator than in any other city in the world. The patent numbers on the back of the cabinet are for patents granted in the 1960s for stereophonic equipment. A former supervisor at the Decatur plant told us this model was made for about a year in the 1970s. Cabinets were made in three different designs — Mediterranean, Colonial, and Modern — and in dark or light wood. The unit included an AM/FM stereo radio and a 4-speed turntable. The turntable was attached to a pull-down door that concealed the radio when not in use. A matching clock could be installed above the radio. Models that included a clock had speakers in the bottom of the cabinet. Those without a clock had speakers in the space where the clock would go. An external speaker that could be plugged into any AC outlet in the house was also offered. Operating manuals and spare parts aren’t available, making any necessary repairs difficult.