The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was on vacation and this happened to be for sale near where I was staying, so naturally, I had to have it! Finish is dry and flaky on the outside, but the inside is good. Just missing one door knob. Electronic components are actually very clean (just dusty) and the radio works!! I'm expecting to have some output from the magnetic pickup, so I will test that today, but it will be sent out for a rebuild. The set has a service tag on it that seems to be later than 1929, and some of the tubes have decals that look to be late 1930's or early 1940's.

The Re-45 is a great workhorse and the radio is really good, and while the amp is good for the time its more Low-Fi than Hi-Fi. I upgraded mine by using the arm from the Re-57. Rebuilding the magnetic head really makes a big difference in how they sound. The gentleman who rebuilt mine, Bob Timms,before I purchased it from him included a complete set of globe tubes in mine, though there are those who feel the later day tubes work better.

There are a few members on the Forum that can really help you with this machine. Chuck A and Uncle Vanya are two that I think can help you if you need it.

Abe

These machines can play early electrics very well. Send the pickup to George Epple for the rebuild. He's the best! Chuck A is another expert. The only thing on your machine that looks like it might be modern is the turntable. I remember the turntable on mine had green leatherette.

marcapra wrote: The only thing on your machine that looks like it might be modern is the turntable. I remember the turntable on mine had green leatherette.

I believe someone took the leather turntable "felt" off recently and replaced it with a nice repro green felt from a phonograph supplier. I have the felt but it was not pictured. Turntable is original with a lovely gun metal finish that shows almost zero signs of wear

It was Marc that provided me with the upgrade tone arm. If you decide to do something to improve the finish it is lacquer but can be over stained with oil but make sure it is really dry before you add the clear. The veneer on the top is VERY thin so be careful of what you do.


Abe

need4art wrote:It was Marc that provided me with the upgrade tone arm. If you decide to do something to improve the finish it is lacquer but can be over stained with oil but make sure it is really dry before you add the clear. The veneer on the top is VERY thin so be careful of what you do.


Abe

I just recently bought an upgrade arm for it. I'm bad about buying small parts and trying to find the machine to match! Luckily it is the gun metal/bronze version of the RCA "cobra" arm, so it will match. Also, there is some veneer missing, so I can patch that up, and hopefully add to the lacquer rather than stripping.

Should you need one, I have an extra green leatherette turntable. The one on my 8-35 was in bad shape, I found an eBay lot of two and bought them.
Nice Find!
Matt