Emerson Model 520 Catalin Antique Tube Radio from 1946 Serviced and PlayingWell

MODEL, YEAR, FEATURES:So as not to mislead anyone, two items are disclosed right off: 1) The Catalin backboard that this radio came with is MISSING. A backboard was crafted for the radio, but it is NOT made of Catalin. 2) Even though the white knobs look right at home on this radio, they are NOT the originals that came with the radio. The correct knobs are common, though, and will not be difficult to find. Now that these items are out of the way, lets go on to the better points. Cabinet is flawless on this one, and the photos tell the story better than words. Catalin cabinets are considered the holy grail of radio collecting because of a certain smoothness of texture and the swirling of colors that varies from set to set, depending on light exposure over the years. The Model 520 from 1946 has a nice lighted dial and pointer on white background, a checkered grill, and grill cloth behind that. Not a nick, crack, scratch or mar to be found on the swirled yellow / orange / brown cabinet of this one, looking factory fresh. Electronics have been gone through, and radio will play reliably for years to come.

CONDITION, SERVICING, PERFORMANCE: Radio has been well cared for, cabinet required no polishing to enhance its reflective surfaces. Colors vary with strength and quality of light hitting it. Dial cover is crystal clear, and the graphics and numerals on the green painted brass circular dial are very legible. Dial pointer rotates and indicates stations accurately when tuning knob is turned, and is nicely lit by a pilot light (see photo below of radio in a dimly lit room). . Electronics were carefully gone through with old wax / foil capacitors replaced along with the electrolytic filters. In the process, resistors were checked along with many other items including the tuning mechanism that was lubed. The five tube design is sensitive on this radio, and it plays without hum or distortion after alignment, and sound is quite nice with that warm tube driven quality. Loop antenna in exc condition, backboard was replaced with a well fitting replica to protect the electronics, power cord was replaced with a fresh one, and the factory model sticker is intact on the bottom surface. Photos will represent the radio well. Preserve a fascinating part of our post war technology made by the Greatest Generation. Set will look great and fit just about anywhere, and could make a wonderful present to a special collector.

DIMENSIONS, SHIPPING: Cabinet measures 11.1 inches wide, 8.6 inches tall, and is6.6 inches deep from the front of the knobs to the backboard. Old 6.5 Oz Coke bottle in one photo will give a perspective on size, and show reflective surfaces. I have shipped hundreds of delicate tube radios all over the world for the past 12 years on eBay with fine packing materials and methods, and extraordinary care will be taken on this one, so no worries. Paypal welcome along with other payments, radio will be sent off on the day or day after payment is received by UPS ground shipping. Local SF Bay area pickup can be arranged.

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Zenith 5D811 Antique Bakelite Tube Radio 1949 Serviced, Looks and Plays Great

MODEL, YEAR, FEATURES: I tried to show this 1949 Zenith Model 5D811 in several shots so you might appreciate the beauty of the polished dark maroonish brown Bakelite cabinet that picks up a beautiful mottled effect in stronger lighting. Notable features are the recessed gold metal grill and the transparent circular dial scale on the right with station pointer. Everything is brightly lit with the pilot light that shines right through a “Z” logo at the upper center (see photo in dimly lit room). Accenting the cabinet are a pair of Zenith’s brass collared knobs that shine like new, and the top carry handle. Radio has been recently serviced and cleaned, and will play well for years to come with a warm tube driven sound from the original speaker.

CONDITION, REFURBISHING, PERFORMANCE: Bakelite cabinet in excellent condition with a beautiful gloss from hand rubbing. No cracks, nicks or scratches to be found, and it displays beautifully. The “Z” logo was damaged on this radio, and a new one was carefully crafted under a microscope for accuracy, and looks right in place. Metal grill is flawless, and the dial scale has no warping or scratches, retaining perfect graphics and numerals. Large pointer rotates without slipping when tuning knob is turned, radio is in fine working condition now that the electronics have been serviced and aligned. A long list of items was inspected, measured for tolerance, and serviced including wiring, and a replacement of capacitors. Power cord is new, dial mechanics were cleaned and lubed, chassis cleaned, and tubes tested. Even the handle was rebuilt to restore its springiness. Reception is very pleasant on this set without hum or distortion, and it’s sensitive across the AM band. Radio comes from a smoke & pet free home free of odors. Original backboard in exc undamaged shape (unusual for a 62 year old set), original knobs & fasteners present. Tube layout diagram clear & undamaged on the inside of cabinet, 5D811 model number stamping is visible on back & bottom panels. The tubes (shown lit up in one photo) are easily serviced from the back side. Photos will represent the set well as you scroll down the page.

DIMENSIONS, SHIPPING: Radio measures 12.2 inches wide, stands 7 inches tall, and is 6.6 inches deep from the front of knobs to the back panel (old 6.5 Oz. Coke bottle in one photo placed to give sense of scale and show reflective surfaces). I have shipped hundreds of delicate tube radios all over the world for the past 12 years on eBay with fine packing materials and methods, so no worries. Paypal welcome along with other payments, radio will be sent off on the day or day after payment is received. Ground shipping will be the most cost effective, but I can ship using faster methods if needed, and will consider local pickup in SF bay area.

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Bendix 753M Antique Mahogany Clock Tube Radio from 1953 Serviced Plays Nicely

MODEL, YEAR, FEATURES: Large gold clock face, gold trimmed knobs and sliderule dial scale are all set nicely into a beautiful mahogany cabinet on this recently serviced AM clock radio made by the Bendix Aviation Corporation in 1953. The Model 753M is similar to a Sylvania radio from the same era, but the mahogany cabinet on this one is much more elegant, and even sports a brass handle. Cabinet has been thoroughly cleaned, radio and clock have been serviced, and this set will play well for years to come with a warm tube driven sound from the original speaker.

CONDITION, REFURBISHING, PERFORMANCE: Mahogany cabinet has its original finish. There are some small areas where it has worn thin, but overall, cabinet is looking great with no dents or deep scratches, all panels fastened firmly with no splits. Graphics, numerals, and face look flawless, sliderule dial cursor moves across the AM band properly. Electronics have been professionally serviced with all wax/foil capacitors replaced along with the aging electrolytics. Many other items were serviced including tuner mechanics, power cord replacement, and radio alignment. Reception is very pleasant on this radio without hum or distortion, and it’s sensitive across the AM band. Clock was thoroughly cleaned and keeps good time without motor noises; central knob can be set for AUTO for a radio wake up, OFF, or ON for prolonged radio use. There’s another radio on/off switch on the back panel. Radio comes from a smoke & pet free home, all knobs and sturdy backboard present along with proper fasteners. Very legible factory schematic diagram is intact on the bottom side. All American Five tubes are easily reached. Photos will represent the set well as you scroll down the page.

DIMENSIONS, SHIPPING: Clock radio measures 10.4 inches wide, stands 8.5 inches tall, and is 6.3 inches deep from the front of knobs to the back panel (old 6.5 Oz. Coke bottle in one photo placed to give sense of scale). I have shipped hundreds of delicate tube radios all over the world for the past 12 years on eBay with fine packing materials and methods, so no worries. Paypal welcome along with other payments, radio will be sent off on the day or day after payment is received. Ground shipping will be the most cost effective, but I can ship using faster methods if needed.

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