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RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:14 am
by CDBPDX
Just brought home this nice little RCA Victor phonograph & radio combination. Seems it plays 78 rpm and 33 rpm records. It plays records loud and clear, not certain if the radio works or not. Where I live, we don't get much AM signal plus I haven't figured out where the antenna goes yet.

Any thoughts on what model this is? A radio repair guy said he thought the amplifier chassis was from 1933.

Thanks! Cliff

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:48 am
by Vinrage_mania
take a picture of the back too datte is about right ( within a year)

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:08 am
by marcapra
It should have the model number somewhere on the set. It seems like all 33 and 34 sets had six legs and yours has four. Maybe yours is a 32? But I don't know if Victor had 33 rpm that early.

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:34 am
by marcapra
After doing a little research, I found out that RCA came out with 33 rpm records in 1931.
http://www.stokowski.org/Victor_Program ... ecords.htm

Also, I now think your set is from 1931: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_re19.html

If you don't have the model number, the tube names would help.

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:43 am
by electrolaman 64
This is definitely a 1931-32 RCA Radio/Electrola (RE). I believe it is a RE-19. Look in the back of the cabinet on a side wall and there should be a paper sticker with the information. It could also be on the bottom of the cabinet as well.

Here is a link to a web page with a photo: http://radioatticarchives.com/radio.htm?radio=1791

If you need the RCA service information on it I can help.

Carlton Smith
electrolaman64
Indianapolis, IN

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:26 am
by startgroove
Cliff, Yes, it appears to be a 1931 model. That cabinet has design elements which were also featured on the 1931 RCA Victor RAE-26. In addition, it likely has a Superette Chassis with 8 vacuum tubes. Service data for a RE-19 radio appears in my data book from 1932-1932. Just FYI, this has resin encapsulated capacitors in it, which makes it a bit difficult to troubleshoot and repair by conventional methods. If the phono section is working but the radio is not, then it is not too bad. That indicates that the power supply and amplifier circuits are working.

BTW, the antenna connection will be connections on the center of the of the chassis. For a test you'll need to hook up an antenna wire only, for better long distance reception a ground will help. Hook up about 10 or more feet of insulated wire and run as high as practical along a wall or other support. You should get several stations up where you are (that is if the radio is working well). A longer antenna, strung outside, will allow long distant stations to be received.

Cheers, Russie

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 12:41 pm
by CDBPDX
RE-19! Thanks! It seems to play records very nicely, though I haven't tried a 33 rpm disc yet. I have some program transcriptions around here somewhere, just have to find them.

It is currently in the hall, not able to get very good pictures, but I will move it out this afternoon for better pics.

The paper tag on the back has a wooden brace across it, hides the model number.

Cliff

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:00 pm
by Vinrage_mania
guys did you notice it has the larger weight on the arm?,I wonder when they changed

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:16 pm
by marcapra
Yes, that weight is big! I have had these sets before and the weight on the record is much lighter on the record than earlier sets, even the orthophonics. If you take the pickup off of the tone arm, the arm flies up in the air like a teeter-totter! Here is a video of my old 1934 Victor model 341 with record changer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgoWZxtU4RU

Re: RCA VICTOR Phono/Radio Model ??

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:55 pm
by Vinrage_mania
[quote="marcapra"]Yes, that weight is big! I have had these sets before and the weight on the record is much lighter on the record than earlier sets, even the orthophonics. If you take the pickup off of the tone arm, the arm flies up in the air like a teeter-totter! Here is a video of my old 1934 Victor model 341 with record changer:





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgoWZxtU4RU[/quote

I like that cabinet,here is the same weight on the table model GE K 54 I am restoring