The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The term "Tomcat" is a term for the early amplifiers with the black chassis, abused on the first Electrola and Radiola , and Panatrope macines and combinations. These units ( and there were a number of minor variations) are painted black, feature a UX-210 output amplifier tube, and bear. "AP-9xx" part number (as in "AP-951" for example). The lateen amplifier, which was designed after the introduction of AC tubes in 1927 has a brown painted chassis, a UX-250 output tube, and bears an "AP-7xx" part number. There is quite a bit of difference between the appearance of the one and the other.

Here we have a photo of a "Tomcat" amplifier:



And here is a photo of the later unit, in this case an AP-737, I think:



By the way, Wayne, don't let the occasional goof get you down. It was a lot easier to learn about this stuff forty years ago, when none of it had any commercial value, and one could wantonly tear stuff apart without the pangs of remorse.

An RCA "Red Book" should be a great help in sorting out the internal components of these machines. I will check to see whether I have a spare copy of Vol. 1 (1923-37). If I do, and I can find it you are welcome to have it.

We who live "up north" tend not to be cognisant of the damage that can be done by wood boring insects. I do hope that you are able to fix your 12-15.

Waynola wrote:At this point I am pulling back to square one and going to do what I can for this machine.

That's the spirit, Wayne!

I think a lot of the criticism of "parting" on this site comes directly from love and concern for the machines and their history. With ebay it has been easier to document the demise of particular machines. Sometimes it can be really heartbreaking to watch. In your case I think we just reacted to the heartbreak and not the story behind it. All of us use parts from other machines at one time or other and therefore have a role in their demise.

Good for you in taking up the banner and trying to save a scarce machine! I'd love to see your progress.

Regards,
Martin

Hello Wayne!

I agree with Martin's comments and thank you for choosing to do whatever can be done to rehabilitate your VE 12-15. I'm sure you'll very successful and will be thrilled at the end result. Good luck to you, sir.

All the best,
Bruce

Gentleman, I sincerely thank you for all your support. Uncle Vanya thanks for that great info. I do have the RCA Service Data and Service Notes books. I made a rough quick list of the amp numbers and will verify the amp numbers of my complete Electrolas and Radiolas. Then I'll post the list of amp numbers for all the rarer Electrolas I collect. Suppose I will post in the machine area of TMF. This should help keep straight what amps go to what machines. Thanks again all.