Vintage Tube Juke Box Thingy in basement...

MrNightly
MrNightly Posts: 3,370
edited December 2007 in Vintage Speakers
Ok, so I have this Vintage Tube style jukebox in my parents basement, and I was messing around with it the other night... took some pictures, and didn't know if anybody knew if it was a true pieces of equipment, or a piece of junk?

It still works, but has never been taken care of. The tubes still warm up and it hums, but haven't been able to get a true signal. I haven't hooked up an antenna yet either, details details.

Anyways, anybody have any experience with this? It says it's a Zenith... Pretty cool regardless. Might be a good project to get back up and running full strength with new wiring and everything... except I don't know anything about that kinda stuff! Ha.

Pictures below...
Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
Stuff...

RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

Post edited by MrNightly on
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    [IMG][/img]8107cps.jpg
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    There are some old school console gems but I'm not about to school you if it is ;) It's very cool.

    Either way, there are a bunch of collectors for these models....check out AK.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2007
    kewl !!

    That is bad a$$
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    7xvo8rl.jpg

    6kqz2f9.jpg

    6kr8awz.jpg
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    dorokusai wrote: »
    There are some old school console gems but I'm not about to school you if it is ;) It's very cool.

    Either way, there are a bunch of collectors for these models....check out AK.

    Ya, I know nothing about this kind of item... please school away!

    And AK means what again? Thanks!
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nms
    nms Posts: 671
    edited December 2007
    Not much to it is there!
    My system

    "The world is an ever evolving clusterf*ck." --treitz3
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    MrNightly wrote: »
    Ya, I know nothing about this kind of item... please school away!

    And AK means what again? Thanks!


    www.audiokarma.org

    Great website for old school folks.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    Not a jukebox, it's an older style floor radio. The electomagnet on the speaker shows it's fairly aged. That one looks to be in excellent condition. I no longer keep up with the values of these things but chances are it's worth good money. Do not plug it in or try to play it until all the capactitors have been replaced. As it is, you could blow a transformer and ruin the radio if you do.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2007
    John in MA wrote: »
    Not a jukebox, it's an older style floor radio. The electomagnet on the speaker shows it's fairly aged. That one looks to be in excellent condition. I no longer keep up with the values of these things but chances are it's worth good money. Do not plug it in or try to play it until all the capactitors have been replaced. As it is, you could blow a transformer and ruin the radio if you do.
    Great advice!

    My father collects antique radios. He gave me one to put on display in my living room and told me to NEVER plug it in for the aforementioned reason.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    Great... I just plugged it in last week... and tried to tune in a station... hope i didn't ruin it!!! How do i change the capacitors? I need a manual!!! :D
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2007
    MrNightly wrote: »
    Great... I just plugged it in last week... and tried to tune in a station... hope i didn't ruin it!!! How do i change the capacitors? I need a manual!!! :D
    Changing caps is usually pretty easy if you can solder.

    The difficult part may be identifying them. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    Ya, I dunno about all that... I might have to really learn what I'm doing to start soldering things that old!!!
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2007
    I haven't soldered anything in years so I bought a pair of Polk Monitor 7C crossovers off of ebay to practice with.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited December 2007
    That would be awesome just as a show piece in an audio room or any room for that matter...very nice
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    Old stuff is easier to solder than new stuff. Nice big connections. Read a few vintage radio restoration websites to get the info you need, and be careful. You don't want to screw it up, or get hurt.

    Other than capacitors and the odd resistor, nothing in a tube radio has a finite lifespan. They'll go forever as long as they're maintained.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    I had a 1960's Telefunken console in my carport for over a year, ran like a top. I never even thought about replacing capacitors or other BS.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited December 2007
    Did the hobo take it with him when he moved?
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I had a 1960's Telefunken console in my carport for over a year, ran like a top. I never even thought about replacing capacitors or other BS.


    Older tube equipment's capacitors will be totally dried out by this point. It's fairly common to see caps in these radios either melt or explode when powered up. It's happened to me a few times in the past. If you're unlucky some irreplacable part of the radio will be damaged when they go.
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  • criverajr
    criverajr Posts: 1,675
    edited December 2007
    I have a older blaupunk in the basement. I am going to take it out and take pictures of it.

    CRj
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    George Grand wrote: »
    Did the hobo take it with him when he moved?


    No, when he stopped warbling, I had to put him on "ice".
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    John in MA wrote: »
    Older tube equipment's capacitors will be totally dried out by this point. It's fairly common to see caps in these radios either melt or explode when powered up. It's happened to me a few times in the past. If you're unlucky some irreplacable part of the radio will be damaged when they go.

    And yet it sounded wonderful, made it through a winter in Maryland and rocked for 2 summers before I cannibalized it for parts.

    I'm aware of those facts John, it just didn't happen to me.....this time. Other gear, well that's different. :)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    So... any idea's how much it might be worth?

    In current condition, and also if it was refurbished completely?
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    Free - $50.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2007
    I'll try to find out for you.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    See here for more information:

    http://www.enginova.com/Zenith_10S464.htm

    http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith_10s464_10_s_464_ch1005.html

    These are beautiful rare sets. Not always worth a ton before restoration, but the collectors love them.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited December 2007
    Wavemagnet antenna, tone buttons, that thing is pimp!
    Never Forget
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,605
    edited December 2007
    Wow. AM and shortwave. Kinda different.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2007
    Those things are awesome!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited December 2007
    John in MA wrote: »
    See here for more information:

    http://www.enginova.com/Zenith_10S464.htm

    http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith_10s464_10_s_464_ch1005.html

    These are beautiful rare sets. Not always worth a ton before restoration, but the collectors love them.

    Thanks man! That one guy did some impressive work on his... with the detail he put into it, I might be able to follow that game plan.

    Very cool... My first thought was to see how much it could bring, but after reading a little more on it, it would be a pretty cool "toy" to have around, if it was truly operational and fixed up.

    Thanks!
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter