Showing off my 1950s Zenith! - Videokarma.org TV - Video

jfrog1983 · #1 12-14-2008, 06:57 PM

I've had this one for about a year, it was an estate sale find and yes it works!

It's got tubes from all different manufacturers in it, like Tung-Sol, GE and even Philips/EGC!

What's odd about this set is the previous owner looks like they modified it by adding 2 jacks and also did something to the flyback as the terminal block sticks outside the HV cage now and there's a hole cut in the HV cage, as you'll see in the pictures below:

***Eric H*** · #2 12-14-2008, 07:11 PM

Interesting, my best guess on the Flyback is it's an aftermarket replacement that didn't quite fit so they cut a hole in the cage. Most of the Zeniths I've seen from that era had black wax on the Fly and it was usually crumbling.

The jacks seem to be in the area of the Video strip, wonder if they are for feeding video in or out?

jfrog1983 · #3 12-14-2008, 08:02 PM

I think one said video in and couldn't quite read what the other said, it may have said "osc" or something.

*zenithfan1* · #4 12-15-2008, 05:03 PM

I agree about the flyback, looks aftermarket. I have one of these in mint condition. It is from 1958, very good tvs, I also like the style of the controls. Nice set!

jfrog1983 · #5 12-15-2008, 06:08 PM

Mine's not mint, but at least it works and I got it half off at the estate sale too!

*zenithfan1* · #6 12-15-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrog1983

Mine's not mint, but at least it works and I got it half off at the estate sale too!

You can't beat that! I wouldn't have passed on it either. Seems to work well still.

peverett · #7 12-15-2008, 09:20 PM

A lot of Zeniths of this era(an other brands also) have the yoke with the plastic cover that falls apart over time. The main effect of this that the yoke will be loose on the CRT neck and the centering may be off.

Has anyone found a solution for this?

zenith2134 · #8 12-15-2008, 09:35 PM

Nice 16" Zenith!

Looks good.

Randy Bassham · #9 12-22-2008, 03:16 PM

I really like those mid-late 50's Zeniths. Here's my '55 Zenith just before I put the cabinet back on after restoration.

Old1625 · #10 12-22-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Bassham

I really like those mid-late 50's Zeniths. Here's my '55 Zenith just before I put the cabinet back on after restoration.

Oh man, does that bring back some memories..... My maternal grandparents had one of those in the music room of their place, a set they had bought for my great grandmother to keep her entertained in her final days living there.

When staying there in the early '70s I watched--among other things--The Three Stooges on WSBK channel 38 out of Boston. Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk! Oh yes, I used a converter, as that set was VHF only.

jfrog1983 · #11 12-22-2008, 08:49 PM

Randy, I notice the vertical linearity on your set looks like mine did once it was fully warmed up. I readjusted it and now it's more like that when cold but after an hour or so gets much better.

Randy Bassham · #12 12-22-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrog1983

Randy, I notice the vertical linearity on your set looks like mine did once it was fully warmed up. I readjusted it and now it's more like that when cold but after an hour or so gets much better.

I set the vert height and linearity after I put it back in the cabinet and it's fine. However last week while I was watching "The Third Man" on it the sound went out, guess I'll have to go back in.

AnalogDigit · #13 12-22-2008, 11:41 PM

That is a cool looking set!