Opinions on 1965 RCA Trondheim HG88 ?

[schmikka]

Hi - Going to pick this console up shortly any curious about any thoughts on this 1965/66 RCA HG88 26” color TV. I’m new to vintage TVs and not sure what I’ll be getting myself into, but this is worth it to me for the cabinet even if the TV is unsalvageable. There appears to be yellowing around the outside of the TV screen even with unit off (see photo). Is this a bad sign? $975 back in 1966!

[old_tv_nut]

That yellowing is a "cataract" caused by deterioration of the adhesive that holds the safety glass on the tube. It is fixable and is definitely worth fixing if the tube is electrically OK.

Search for "cataract" on videokarma to learn more.

[schmikka]

Great - I appreciate the feedback and I will check that out.

[maxhifi]

Originally Posted by schmikka

Great - I appreciate the feedback and I will check that out.

Almost every picture tube from the 60s has a cataract of one degree or another by now. The good thing is, they are fixable. Another good thing is, that set has a great cabinet, and being an RCA is capable of making a fantastic picture.

[JohnCT]

Originally Posted by schmikka

Hi - Going to pick this console up shortly any curious about any thoughts on this 1965/66 RCA HG88 26” color TV. I’m new to vintage TVs and not sure what I’ll be getting myself into, but this is worth it to me for the cabinet even if the TV is unsalvageable. There appears to be yellowing around the outside of the TV screen even with unit off (see photo). Is this a bad sign? $975 back in 1966!

What a great piece (and it's a 23"). My dad sold a ton of those back then. The stereos were pretty damned good as well.

John

[Electronic M]

It's the Zenith style cataract which is my favorite type to fix....the 'cut the glue with a guitar string' method has never failed me.
Love that Danish modern cabinet.
It's a CTC17 chassis which is basically the much loved CTC16 roundy chassis with the sweep circuits modified to drive a rectangular CRT. So restoration should be fairly normal for a tube color TV.

What's your level of experience with electronics especially tube electronics? If it's all new to you I strongly recommend finding a late 40's 5 tube AM radio and a monochrome TV to work on as practice before you start on this. Color TVs are complex and there's a lot to learn repairing one... working your way up to it on simpler projects should serve to prevent it from overwhelming you.
Also worth reading some restoration articles on Phil's old radios website.

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

If it's all new to you I strongly recommend finding a late 40's 5 tube AM radio and a monochrome TV to work on as practice before you start on this. Color TVs are complex and there's a lot to learn repairing one... working your way up to it on simpler projects should serve to prevent it from overwhelming you.
Also worth reading some restoration articles on Phil's old radios website.

Good advice! Here are a couple of links from said website to get you started:

https://antiqueradio.org/howfixtv.htm

https://antiqueradio.org/televisions.htm

The second link is a list of TV restoration case studies. Skimming one or two should give you an idea what's involved in making these old sets work. The CTC-11 articles are most similar to your set.

That groovy cabinet is popular with collectors, as you may already know.

Regards,

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
https://antiqueradio.org/index.html