Hi folks!
I have long wanted one of this model. My grandparents had one, and it currently resides with my uncle. I realized that by the time I get that radio, I will perhaps not be interested in having it anymore, so when this one popped up on Craiglist for $75, I went for it. I also spent a couple days reading about restoration, replacing caps, the near impossibility of keeping the original cartridge working, so I was prepared. I was prepared to never plug the thing in until I had done a full cap job and cleaning.
When I arrived at the house, I was horrified to see that the family had plugged it in ("We haven't tried it in 20 years, and wanted to make sure it worked still!") and was listening to the radio. I was thrilled that it worked, and quite worried that there would soon be a giant flame shooting out of the chassis. I paid them, they shut it off and unplugged it, and I took it home.
Having seen it work, I did hook it up to a variac to see just what I was in for. It tunes AM very nicely, but no luck with SW. The turntable works beautifully, but the cartridge makes no sound, which is not a surprise. I plugged in my regular turntable, and the unit sounded quite nice. Controls are very staticky, only one light works, and the courtesy light switch for the turntable is really stuck. The insides are filthy with a very thick layer of dust, but this appears to have been kept indoors for its entire life, and hasn't suffered from excess humidity.
I have now shut it off and will not be firing it up again until the caps are replaced.
The top has some wear, but the finish looks fine.
Turntable needs cleaning and probably lube as well, but it in great shape.
Filthy with dust, its a code 122, so I know which schematics to look for.
I'll soon be posting in the correct forums about the electronic restoration, as well as some cabinet tips, but I am simply thrilled to have this unit. I collect 78s as well, so I will have plenty of records to play on this unit. (Not valuable ones, but appropriate ones.)
I'm excited!
I have long wanted one of this model. My grandparents had one, and it currently resides with my uncle. I realized that by the time I get that radio, I will perhaps not be interested in having it anymore, so when this one popped up on Craiglist for $75, I went for it. I also spent a couple days reading about restoration, replacing caps, the near impossibility of keeping the original cartridge working, so I was prepared. I was prepared to never plug the thing in until I had done a full cap job and cleaning.
When I arrived at the house, I was horrified to see that the family had plugged it in ("We haven't tried it in 20 years, and wanted to make sure it worked still!") and was listening to the radio. I was thrilled that it worked, and quite worried that there would soon be a giant flame shooting out of the chassis. I paid them, they shut it off and unplugged it, and I took it home.
Having seen it work, I did hook it up to a variac to see just what I was in for. It tunes AM very nicely, but no luck with SW. The turntable works beautifully, but the cartridge makes no sound, which is not a surprise. I plugged in my regular turntable, and the unit sounded quite nice. Controls are very staticky, only one light works, and the courtesy light switch for the turntable is really stuck. The insides are filthy with a very thick layer of dust, but this appears to have been kept indoors for its entire life, and hasn't suffered from excess humidity.
I have now shut it off and will not be firing it up again until the caps are replaced.
The top has some wear, but the finish looks fine.
Turntable needs cleaning and probably lube as well, but it in great shape.
Filthy with dust, its a code 122, so I know which schematics to look for.
I'll soon be posting in the correct forums about the electronic restoration, as well as some cabinet tips, but I am simply thrilled to have this unit. I collect 78s as well, so I will have plenty of records to play on this unit. (Not valuable ones, but appropriate ones.)
I'm excited!
