[Texasrocker]

Just my .02 here, but I think replacing all those old wax bypass caps & the electrolytics would be a great idea! Polarity of the AC line was never closely observed by mfgrs back in the day when these AC/DC sets were originally made. Orig AC cords had no large-spade on one side, polarity was determined by how the cord was actually plugged into the AC socket. Didnt make much difference back then if the end-user plugged the radio in "bass-ackwards"for proper polarity reasons?. Always be careful when touching or servicing a vintage AC/DC type chassis! Use a AC line "isolation transformer" while working on the chassis if possible! Using a 1amp fuse for safety on either side of the AC line is better than none at all, but not necessary in most cases except for added safety for the person restoring these vintage type chassis'. I always use the old theory of using the "one hand" method when not using a isolation trans when servicing the old "potentially-lethal"AC/DC type chassis! Just good practice, and keeps the restorer in the safe zone! I certainly wouldnt want any of my vintage restored Arvin, Kent, Silvertone, metal midget AC/DC sets near the bathtub, or kitchen sink, period! Those live vintage radio AC/DC chassis could be lethal as a old rattlesnake bite in certain situations indeed!! If you wire the polarity "correct" to todays recommended standard, then find out the AC plugs in your house was originally wired in reverse of electrical"code" ( many homes are!!),... then, your back to square-one unless you own a "AC polarity" checker and spend time to trace down every AC socket in your home back to the breaker box. The good thing about AC is it always works! The bad thing about modern day AC, is voltage runs to high, and your plugs in your house could be wired "bass-ackwards" in many rooms for overall correct "phasing" on the "larger spade"!! Reckon?