Good news! The project pile is becoming much smaller.
Since restoring a similar model for a customer, years ago, I have always wanted one of these 12 tube consoles. It was the top of the line for GE. It seems to have been offered in 1934 as well as 35 maybe into 1936.
Since restoring a similar model for a customer, years ago, I have always wanted one of these 12 tube consoles. It was the top of the line for GE. It seems to have been offered in 1934 as well as 35 maybe into 1936.
Very impressive cabinet
The finish had turned very dark but the cabinet was otherwise in good shape.
As found - except I had removed the upper trim
Under all of that yellowed finish were some very nice veneers. There was no delamination and very few dings and scrapes.
Stripped the old finish
They used what looks like "West Indian Laurel" at the base of the cabinet but did not carry through from the sides to the front. Instead using a piece of mahogany that must be tinted to match.
Chassis "before" with only a couple of replacement parts
eThe 12 tube chassis has a tuning range that includes X Band, 140 kHz - 400 kHz, and four more bands up to about 37mhz. It does not use an eye-tube. Push pull 42s are the audio output and a 6D6 is used as an RF amp. A search for the schematic will be more productive if it includes the RCA 281 which used the same chassis.
With a 20 ft. long wire antenna, this radio is sensitive and selective and compares well with more expensive, higher tube count, radios in everything except audio output. Thought it does have separate bass and treble controls, the lack of a tweeter is noticeable.
All of the electrolytic and paper caps were restuffed as well as most of the resistors. The dog-bone resistors were replace with replica units at a higher wattage.
The most significant problem was the failure of the interstage transformer that drives the pair of 42s. Fortunately I had an exact replacement on a parts chassis. I wish that they had used nuts and bolts, Instead these used bent tabs. It is easier to unbend them than rebending when putting them back.
The output transformer had also failed. I had several to choose from so that wasn't a problem either.
With a 20 ft. long wire antenna, this radio is sensitive and selective and compares well with more expensive, higher tube count, radios in everything except audio output. Thought it does have separate bass and treble controls, the lack of a tweeter is noticeable.
All of the electrolytic and paper caps were restuffed as well as most of the resistors. The dog-bone resistors were replace with replica units at a higher wattage.
The most significant problem was the failure of the interstage transformer that drives the pair of 42s. Fortunately I had an exact replacement on a parts chassis. I wish that they had used nuts and bolts, Instead these used bent tabs. It is easier to unbend them than rebending when putting them back.
The output transformer had also failed. I had several to choose from so that wasn't a problem either.
Backside of trim revels my repair/sculpting. Hoping it is not noticeable from the front
I have yet to see one of these that did not have some damage to the repwood trim especially in the grill area. The center piece of trim over the speaker is unsupported at it's thickest point and subject to the vibration from the speaker. This lower portion is often missing. Thankfully not so on this unit. (See bottom picture)
Toned and finished, just needs to be rubbed out
Reassembled just in front of it's new home. This is a heavy sucker so moving it in pieces is a good plan.
I find it a bit odd that GE used such a small dial. Though this was the style for this model year, It is still considerably larger than on it's smaller siblings such as the M-51 or M-61.
All of the 7 control knobs actually have significant functions - sensitivity - bass - on/off - tuning (large knob) - band - treble - volume. Though they could have combined the on/off volume.
I find it a bit odd that GE used such a small dial. Though this was the style for this model year, It is still considerably larger than on it's smaller siblings such as the M-51 or M-61.
All of the 7 control knobs actually have significant functions - sensitivity - bass - on/off - tuning (large knob) - band - treble - volume. Though they could have combined the on/off volume.
Just barely fit
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