1960 Sony TR-7120
Tabletop radio, thermoplastic cabinet
11 1/4 W x 5 3/4 H x 4 D inches / 285 W x 145 H x 100 D mm
Seven transistors (Sony), three 1.5v "D" cells
Manufactured in Shannon, Ireland by Sony Corp., Japan
Identical to the 1958 Sony TR-712 manufactured in Japan, though maybe some circuit differences? And what a beautiful radio! More compact in size than most other tabletop transistor sets, loads of reverse-stamped plastic in the tuning dial area, and a blue plastic speaker grille overlaid in thick clear plastic. Vernier tuning for the dial, of course.
A Radiomuseum page covering Sony's assembly plant in Ireland states, "Sony's assembly plant in Shannon, Ireland began production in May of 1960. About 100 employees produced 3000 radios per month. Having a plant in close proximity to Europe and many Commonwealth countries meant easier and cheaper distribution. Most of the parts in the "Made In Ireland" radios originated in England or Ireland (except for the transistors which came from Sony in Japan)."
Ian Batty's stunningly thorough article, "Sony's TR-712 Mantle Radio", makes the case that the TR-712 was a game-changing radio in terms of performance, and his praise of the TR-712 would likely apply to this TR-7120 as well.
This example of the TR-7120 has a break in its handle, about one inch in from one end -- it reminds me a lot of Sony's TFM-151 handle issues.
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