[Arran]

I have the Canadian General Electric version of this set, it's called an M 61, has a square dial and a different cabinet design. I really should restore the set as it seems to be all there, I've heard that they are good performers. Some knucklehead added a phone jack to it and a double pole double throw bat switch in place of the rotary power switch to turn on the power, to switch out the radio and switch in the phono jack, I've removed most of that garbage. Did the speaker in your 128 have a metal baffle over the back to make the speaker look larger?
Regards
Arran

Hey Arran,
No, there wasn't any baffle plate, just the speaker. I've seen your GE version and even had the chance to get one, but I wanted a 128. I think the chassis are a lot a like though.
My 128 plays great! and have been using it almost nightly during the X-Mas holidays. I have an AMT3000 transmitter I built this summer and have been playing Jack Benny Christmas episodes through it. It also pulls in stations all over on just a short indoor antenna. So by all means, you should restore your GE! The only complaint I had was it was a pain getting at some of the old caps that were buried in there! Good luck with yours !
Kevin

Kevin;
Would you happen to know if the U.S G.E M-61 had a metal baffle over the speaker? I'm thinking it was some sort of sleazy marketing gimick since it doesn't actually do anything, they are holes in the back that line up with those in the speaker basket. It was really funny because I didn't even notice it until I removed the speaker, my Victor 118 (which was similar) and the CGE M-81 had eight or nine inch speakers and the 118 was a five tuber.
If I ran across an RCA Victor 128 I would probably pick it up just for comparative interest, according to the manuals the circuitry is the same and dial is the only part that differs. The 128 has a prettier but more clasically styled cabinet with that stump walnut veneer on the front, the M-61 has a straighter grained veneer on the front panel (probably Australian walnut) and somewhat of a more deco look which I also like.
Did you have to paint the chassis in the 128? It looks very clean and bright. Mine seems to be in fairly good shape, I cleaned the dirt off and there was no rust, but there was lots of black crud on the IF and coil cans which came off. One of the coil cans is a bit dented up though which I will have to straighten out. It's lived somewhat of a rough life.
Regards
Arran