Grundig models with export suffix WE, USA, WI, WS etc.
Grundig models with export suffix WE, USA, WI, WS etc.
The usual Grundig domestic suffixes
On many Grundig models you find a suffix. The most used domestic suffix is W for AC current (in German "Wechselstrom"), followed by GW for AC/DC models (Gleichstrom/Wechselstrom). Some "B" for battery models are found. BGW would be a "three current" model for AC/DC or battery operation. Z stands for a vibrator (Zerhacker) for operation with a storage battery.
"H" could be wood and "P" plastic cabinet. Certain consoles carry "ML". PM?
You can find GW/U, W/UKW etc. for models with FM. Some models carry GWL, WL or GWK or WK, where "L" stands for long waves instead of "K" for short waves (Kurzwellen). Seldom you find an "F" for "Ferrit-Antenna", "Ph" (or PM = Philips Mignon) for a phono model or a "TB" for a built in tape recorder. ST for a separate stereo loudspeaker.
Specially in 1954 Grundig named their models .../3D, indicating a stereo sound with additional loudspeakers on the two sides. "a" is a changaed version.
Here we try to bring in data for the export suffixes
Grundig exports in the 1950s and 1960s were tremendous and models were exported into different countries with different safety regulations. This was not only a matter for a solid back wall but also for fuses - for instance on both sides, line and neutral, but also that there was not a danger that sets could produce a fire.
Different countries used and use different voltages - or different cycles, for instance 25 or 60 in America and 50 in Europe. Japan uses 100 volts, not 110 to 125. In italy 160 Volts were also used, but at the same time 240 Volts in Scandinavia and the UK.
During about 50 years those regulations changed in different times and different countries!
Even the very strong regulations in Scandinavia could be different in Norway, Sweden, Danmark or Finland.
Most often the scale was naturally different for expor models.
To my knowledge the distinction for export began with a simple "WE" for export models, for instance in 1953 for the 5050WE.
The suffix USA is clear (used was also U and US) - and the sets often are called Grundig-Majestic.The big problem for collectors is now that such detailed plans for the power section of export models are rare because in Germany only the designing engineer became 2 blueprints and the prints were shipped abroad with a plan - which was often lost. Some plans we can find in Photofacts - see the Schematic Finder. What we could upload can be found on the specific model page.
See here also the suffix "GB" for the UK and what is different: Grundig 3028/GB.
CA stands for Canada - see SO102/60CA.
We are not sure if the suffix S stands for Scandinavia or for Sweden, but that it belongs to one of the two. Here is an early one - most information on the back panel still in German (1954), some in Swedish: 941WS. Here in Swedish: 4088/S. Later SEMKO was the Swedish partner.
You can also find CA/S as suffix - for Canada and Sweden or Scandinavia.
We try here to bring in facts where we are sure about them. Our member, Hans M. Knoll, a former designing engineer at Grundig for many years, told me for instance that the model Grundig 2043WS-3D in comparison with Grundig 2043W-3D has 3 fuses more, a two pole line switch and one can see on the voltage selection plate two normal fuses and one thermo fuse. A third glass type fuse is below the chassis in the main heater cable.
There are also suffixes like WE, WEM, WFE, WX, WZ, WI or W/EI (for instance for France or Italy - maybe this is a I and not a J) etc. Here for Italy: 955WI/3D and 955W/3D-EF/Ph/J or I ...
"F" stands for Ferrit antenna or turnable Ferrit antenna - see top in this article.
See also this 4088EES. And if the Civil Defense marks (CD) are found on this 970EES and EES-V, then not only U, US or USA was used for export to the USA but also EES.
I believe that X stands for tropical version. See Grundig model 2045WZX.
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