WESTERN Electric 501 (party line ) Phones

[Dan]

I am in the process of geting a couple of 1956 WE 501 phones. I was wondering how they differ from 500's and if there is anything I need to do differently to get them to ring besides moving the Gray (blackish)  wire from G to L1 and making sure the tension spring  is in the correct position. These do not have frequency ringers in them, do they? How do they differ from 500's? Thanks

[Dan]

Anyone out there got a 501?

[Steve K]

Yes, I have the 501 that came from my grandmother's house.

[Dan]

Does it ring ok , I just want to know the difference between this and a 500.

[Dennis Markham]

Once again referring to Paul Fassbender's site, you can read about 501 sets here:

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm

[Dan]

Thanks, I got them today, they look exactly like a 500 except the grey  ringer cord is  on G (party line position) I guess I'll move it to L1. It's too late to try to  ring them tonight (kids in bed) , I'll try tommorrow. Finally got a red soft one and an ivory too!

[Dan]

501's are just like 500's i just moved the ringer wire and they ring true!