I'll bet if you go back to that store in six months, it'll still be sitting there.Īn additional downside of course -for one like yourself who is new at this- is the fact that it's an AM/FM set, which is really not what you want to start off with.ĮBay might be your friend, at least initially. Given that it's not a truly unique set -in the broad sense of the word- and additionally that it has a damaged cabinet, I would pass. The styling of this set is really very common for 1940's radios made by RCA, Stromberg-Carlson, Bendix, Firestone, Airline, Stewart-Warner, etc. I can understand your zeal to jump into something, but as Gary said above, don't be too anxious. Second, is the price reasonable?Īny opinions would be greatly appreciated. Would this be a descent set for a newbie to tackle. They will not take less than $39.00 for it.įirst question. Have no idea if it is a working unit (if it had a power chord) and the workers at the store were not keen on my pulling it apart so I am not sure what I will find inside. there appears to be no power chord coming out of the bottom of the radio. Also the speaker cloth is in very good shape. All four original knobs are there and the dial cover is clear as is the dial face (although slightly tilted).
Not noticeable unless you pick the unit up. The cabinet is in pretty good condition except for a small piece missing at the bottom, right hand rear corner. Came across an RCA Victor 8R71 AM/FM radio at a local store. I am just finishing up my first attempt at reviving an old radio and have been bit by the bug. They will eventually turn up, I guarantee it. A lot better than a shop with inflated prices. You can find some pretty good stuff sometimes. Keep looking around, use to find local auctions. Then they try to sell their different radio for the same asking price. $5 radio at auction, they look on Ebay for a 'similar' radio that has a high asking price. That's were many flea marketers get their stuff from. You have better luck at yard sales and estate auctions. If it's complete, and isnt all broken up, and a good price, go for it.įlea markets may be ok, but most of the stuff has already been picked over, or the seller thinks their $10 set is worth a fortune. Many times they say, 'just a minute' then come back with a dusty old radio that they didn't think would sell. If you don't see any at a yard sale, ask, Pass the word around that you are looking for old radios. Just keep looking, don't be all too anxious to get something right away. Sorry your 150 mile trip ended up with nothing. I wouldn't give those guys that won't negotiate a cent. There was one on Epay that went for $18 in good shape. I think the seller may have seen too many antique roadshow shows, or too many Epay ads. The power cord is no problem to replace, or the recapping. Hi, I'd pass on that set, especially with a broken cabinet. If I can convince the shop owner to allow me to lift the cabinet and see if everything is intact I think I will go for it.
I also like the idea that it is not an AC/DC unit. A mid 50's Emerson with a broken case with an asking price of $65.00, a late 50's GE Clock radio in rose beige (yuk) for $30.00, an unknown brand cathedral for $600 and the RCA 8R71 that I can get for $39.00. Today alone I traveled over 150 miles stopping at numerous antique stores, thrift stores, and flea markets and only came across 4 radios. I have been looking locally for radios for awhile and they are few and far between. With the end of civilian radio production on April 22, 1942, virtually all of these sets would see service for the next five years, providing war information to their owners.Thanks for the input but I am thinking I may pick up the radio even if I'm not ready to dive into at this point. The least expensive combination radio-phono was the model V-100 for $29.95. Many of the sets featured a “plug-in for Victrola,” meaning that an external phonograph could be added.
This inexpensive set was billed as having, in addition to standard broadcast, “one police band.” A closer inspection reveals, however, that the “police band” means only that it tunes above the standard broadcast band to 1720 kHz, so that police calls in many cities could be heard at the top of the standard AM dial.įamilies wishing to tune in to foreign broadcasts with their “extra” set could do so for as little as $19.95 with the model 16X-11, which tuned standard broadcast and one short wave band. The ad points out that even for your home’s extra radio, you can get RCA Victor quality at a low price, since the models start with the the model 45X-1, later dubbed the “Little Nipper,” for $9.95. 75 years ago today, the October 21, 1940, issue of Life Magazine carried this two-page ad showing what would be some of its last prewar radios, from the company’s 1941 model year.
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