08-12-2012, 08:56 PM
Thanks guys!
Technically, my birthday isn't until the 15th, but after almost 47 years, what's a few days more or less!
For the record, Philco has always been my favorite. I do however, really like the big black dial Zeniths from the mid to late thirties, especially the ones with robot dials and tuning eyes! I don't love them enough though to pay the wacked out prices they seem to go for So, I consider myself lucky to find this one at such a great price. I'm also really excited about the motorized tuning!
I started cleaning the Zenith up and had a chance to look her over. Cabinet is tight, no veneer problems. The chassis had about 5lbs of dust and dead spiders on it, but it cleans up well. No major rust issues, finish on chassis is in good shape. Only two Zenith brand tubes remain and unfortunately it no longer has the 6T5 tuning eye. It has the 6U5 which is a Zenith tube. Other tubes are later replacement types which I will replace with correct style ones.
Underneath everything looks good. No melted wax from the transformer or burned parts. It looks like the electrolytics were replaced a long time ago, along with one other paper cap. The dial belts had been replaced by rubber bands that were petrified and laying on the bottom of the cabinet!
I plan on doing a complete restoration on this one. I will maybe get the cabinet done yet this summer/fall and do the chassis over the winter. I would be glad to hear from anybody here who has worked on this model that has any tips!
Thanks again!
Kevin
Technically, my birthday isn't until the 15th, but after almost 47 years, what's a few days more or less!
For the record, Philco has always been my favorite. I do however, really like the big black dial Zeniths from the mid to late thirties, especially the ones with robot dials and tuning eyes! I don't love them enough though to pay the wacked out prices they seem to go for So, I consider myself lucky to find this one at such a great price. I'm also really excited about the motorized tuning!
I started cleaning the Zenith up and had a chance to look her over. Cabinet is tight, no veneer problems. The chassis had about 5lbs of dust and dead spiders on it, but it cleans up well. No major rust issues, finish on chassis is in good shape. Only two Zenith brand tubes remain and unfortunately it no longer has the 6T5 tuning eye. It has the 6U5 which is a Zenith tube. Other tubes are later replacement types which I will replace with correct style ones.
Underneath everything looks good. No melted wax from the transformer or burned parts. It looks like the electrolytics were replaced a long time ago, along with one other paper cap. The dial belts had been replaced by rubber bands that were petrified and laying on the bottom of the cabinet!
I plan on doing a complete restoration on this one. I will maybe get the cabinet done yet this summer/fall and do the chassis over the winter. I would be glad to hear from anybody here who has worked on this model that has any tips!
Thanks again!
Kevin