Early RCA Victor radio/phonograph

[Tpapp54321]

I've been looking for a radio/phonograph and two have popped up in my area. Are they hard to restore and are the prices right?
Could some one tell me what models they are too?

http://columbus.craigslist.org/atq/3985177951.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/atq/4007698519.html

[FloridaClay]

The higher priced of the two looks to be the oldest and have an acoustic phonograph. The thing to be somewhat cautious about is that some of these earliest models have a RCA Radiola radio with the "catacomb" construction. That is, many of the electronics are in a tin box filled full of a tar or resin substance. They are a major pain to repair should something go wrong. I'm not sure whether this example has that radio or not. Personally I am more intrigued by the cheaper one, which looks to be in great condition (at least from the pictures) and could be much easier to put right should it stop working.

Clay

[Jerry B.]

My area of interest is earlier machines but if I were visiting a collection, either machine looks very interesting and the condition appears outstanding. Jerry Blais

[gramophone78]

You may also want to ask the vintage radio guys on their forum. http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php

[Uncle Vanya]

The first machine is a Victor RE-45, introduced in April of 1929 as a 1930 model. The machines are relatively common, for they offered excellent value in their day. They are probably the best sounding combinations built before 1933 or 1934, but are not highly sought after simply because they are easily found. I'd estimate that machine to be an excellent value. Around 100,000 Electrola RE-45 machines were sold.

The second machine is a Victrola 7-25 combination, a 1927-8 model, which combines a Radiola 17 radio receiver and an Orthophonic Victrola in the same cabinet. The Radiola 17 is somewhat interesting, as it was the first truly modern AC operated "Light Socket" receiver, but its performance is only mediocre. The phonograph is a small Orthophonic. A reasonably nice sounding machine, it pales in comparison with a full Orthophonic. The 7-25 is not at all a common machine. Only about 8,000 of this machine were produced. 4000 with spring motors and 4000 with electric motors. The 7-25 was eliminated from the Victor catalog in late 1928.

[Ampico66]

The pickup head rebuild is about $65 from George Epple. He remagnetizes the head and replaces the gasket, aligns it, etc. Without service to the pickup, it will not work. They age and fail. They all need rebuilding. The radio itself should cost under $200 to rebuild, assuming your tubes were good. A pair of replacement 45 tubes will set you back a bit on Ebay (maybe $80), but honestly, all the machines I've picked up have had good tubes in them so far after I tested them. I own a Victor RE-75, Victor 7-26 and Brunswick PR148C. All of those are 1920s radio / phonographs.

A good antique radio guy will be able to fix the set. Usually all the transformers are still good in those. You can get replacement parts on Ebay if you absolutely have to, but I wouldn't expect you would need to. I am sure there are good radio guys in Ohio that could do the work. If you absolutely can't find anyone to help you locally with the radio (check Craigslist for antique radio repair) then I know a great guy in here in St. Louis and another excellent technician in Detroit.

I only owned non-Orthophonic acoustic machines for 10 years, then got into acoustic Orthophonic machines (currently own a Credenza) and finally Electrolas in the past 3 years. When I have people over who have never heard *any* old phonographs, they all tend to agree that the Credenza sounds best. They don't care for the sound of the electrolas. Also, other collectors tend to go for the Orthopohnic sound over electrolas. I think the late 1920s, early 1930s phonographs are neat, but I don't play them that often.

Damon

[Tpapp54321]

I bought it, it is in beautiful shape and it will be back from restoration in a couple days.

[barnettrp21122]

Which one did you buy?
Bob

[Swing Band Heaven]

The pickup head rebuild is about $65 from George Epple. He remagnetizes the head and replaces the gasket, aligns it, etc.

Damon

Could you let me have contact details for George Epple please as I need this done for one of my machines. Could you either PM me or add to this thread please?

[Tpapp54321]

The RE-45