Difficulty level in restoring 38-3xx - Printable Version
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Difficulty level in restoring 38-3xx - TonyJSenior - 10-30-2007
Someone a few miles from me is selling what I think is a model 38-3xx based on the picture they emailed me. I don't know yet the extent of the shape of the chassis etc, but the cabinet and grille cloth look to be in very nice shape and original. However, the tuning section and subchassis from what I've been reading on previous forum posts is a bit of a bear to work on. They are asking $40.00 for the radio and wondered if I should let this one go by. Since I have a 531 and 38-7 console, maybe I don't really need another console in the house (I should really be asking the wife lol). As always, thanks for the help![/img]
- Ron Ramirez - 10-30-2007
Hi Tony
The final decision is up to you, of course, but $40 is a good price for a 38-3. I say go for it!
Yes, it will be a bit more of a challenge, but if you can fix a 38-7, you should be able to tackle a 38-3.
- 49Stude63 - 10-30-2007
The 38-3 is a nice magnetic tuning model with a decent tube count. If the cabinet is in good condition then 40 is a good price. Just as the bakelite blocks are sometimes cursed but many find them easy to re-stuff the sub chassis is also cussed at. Good radio well worth the effort. I have the 38-3, along with a 38-2, 38-1, 38-116, 38-4, and soon to be 38-690.
- TonyJSenior - 10-30-2007
Looked at your pictures and your 38-2 came out very nice. Hard to believe the difference between the before and after.
My wife thinks I'm crazy for having two big old radios in the house, let alone getting another
Crazy or not I think I'm going to take a look at that console on Thursday and it just might accidentally follow me home...
- Texasrocker - 10-31-2007
You can never have "too many" vintage radios!!! The only prob is having enough space to fit them!!?? I bet between all us collectors that enjoy this hobby, together-collectively, we could all fill up a abandoned Wal Mart building somewhere in the USA with all our finely restored collections!! What we all need is a Huge: "Vintage Radio Mart" (buy,sell,trade), with a service dept in back with some good test equip, and "bar- lounge area", and some good lookin "chickies" up front selling Great Vintage restored Radios!! Perhaps we could have "Caps 1/2 OFF" day for the newbies? Of course Im just being silly, must be the "solder smell" getting too me!!? But I say, if the "price is right" ...... Go for it also!! Somebodys got to save all these vintage pcs of all-tube Radio-Americana!!!??
(hee hee) Txrockr.
- 49Stude63 - 10-31-2007
Tony the 38-3 chassis would look a lot like my 38-2 chassis, maybe a bit smaller (less 2 tubes) but the basic design and layout is the same. My 38-2 chassis cleaned up decently but my 38-1 chassis is even better but I don't have pictures of it up yet. It went this way, 38-1 (12 tubes) 38-2 (11), 38-3 (9) 38-4 (8 and concentric dial) 38-116 (15) 38-690 (20). I have all the versions of this type of tuning for 1938 and I also have the 37-11 which has the same style tuning arrangement.
- TonyJSenior - 11-17-2007
Ended up getting the 38-3 and set it aside until I refninsh and complete the 38-7 console. Cold weather here in Michigan makes cabinet work a bit tough in the garage and the wife and kids don't like the smell of strippers etc. if I work in the basement *sigh*
Did have a quick question on the 38-3 : on the back of the chassis is an RCA jack and I don't remember seeing that on the print. Any ideas on what that's for? If it was added after the sale, it was done nicely as it looks like it could have been done during production. As I'm not ready to pull that chassis out I couldn't even tell what it may be connected to internally.
- Ron Ramirez - 11-17-2007
Hi Tony
The RCA jack is not original. It must have been added sometime later on.