08-09-2008, 08:15 PM
OK, this isn't the gadget I had envisioned. The addition of a 57 will get you a horrendous amount of pre-amplification. Looks to me like it was rigged to be a preamp for a GE or some kind of VR pickup. The tube socket mount to the cabinet is purely home-tinker stuff. I'd take it out, if it were mine.
I have both the R-7 and the R-7A sets. I've restored the R-7, and just got a good cabinet for the R-7A. The principal difference between the two models is the use of 47 tubes in place of the 45's. In that time, the 47 was (allegedly) a sensation in radio technology.They have more distortion than the 45's, but better power sensitivity. There was no improvement in power output either.
So, now, I can sleep well. The mystery is solved! In this hobby, you can never be sure of what happened to a radio during the 75+ years it has lived.
I have both the R-7 and the R-7A sets. I've restored the R-7, and just got a good cabinet for the R-7A. The principal difference between the two models is the use of 47 tubes in place of the 45's. In that time, the 47 was (allegedly) a sensation in radio technology.They have more distortion than the 45's, but better power sensitivity. There was no improvement in power output either.
So, now, I can sleep well. The mystery is solved! In this hobby, you can never be sure of what happened to a radio during the 75+ years it has lived.
