Idiot fishtankers have a website.
 

***Edited to remove content***

An article written for potential fish-tankers states almost incidentally: This would eliminate from their consideration virtually all sets of any real interest or value to serious collectors.

Sorry about posting the email address. I didnt realize it would get my post edited, i was kidding about the spamming part. It just irks me that people try to make a quick buck by stripping what probably would be a perfectly restorable vintage TV set to make something they think is "hip" or "retro chic." It will end up in a dumpster in ten years when the fad dies. Nobody's going to want a water damaged, empty cabinet that smells of old aquarium.

yes, well, i think i just may send my RCA to them since i can't get it working

Same with my Zenith.....

This has nothing to do with fishtanks...
 

http://home.comcast.net/~myersjacob/front.jpg
This Motorola b/w television was left in my house by the former owners. I tried to power it up and measured zero voltage on the transformer output. I guess that it's fried. I don't know exactly what model it is, even, because all I have is a partial model number (which is how I'm fairly certain that it's b/w). I have almost no desire to dig for a service manual or to figure out what else is wrong with it.

The idea of restoring the circuit is appealing but I'd rather have a TV that I can actually use (with modern inputs). The medial edge of the left 'foot' is broken (see below) so I don't think that's it's 'worth' restoring. The grille cloth and the rest of the cabinet are pretty good, though, so I'm planning to part it out and keep the cabinet. I'll have to measure once it's torn down but it looks like I should be able to shoehorn a 25" CRT in there...

http://home.comcast.net/~myersjacob/damage.jpg
Moving accident? Probably. This thing weighs a ton!

Oh man, how much I HATE people who turn vintage televisions into fishtanks!:nono:

what about vintage cars turned into hotrods, 351cu in engines in a jaguar XJ6, modern kitchens in a 80 year old house, ocean liners into nightclubs?

I have a Motorola about that same age. Nice cabinet. I brought it home, like so many others I have brought home, because I felt sorry for it. It was on the way to the landfill. I saved it. Now, nobody, nobody, nobody, despite years of trying, will come and take it from me. That is why I understand when folks have to part these out. If there was any demand it would be different, but even rabid collectors won't save a set like this when it comes right down to it.

If this set has to be parted out, it would be nice if someone could at least get the crt. Assuming it's good, someone can use it.

*sigh*

Have you guys actually considered emailing these people and asking them if you can buy the remnants of the gutted TVs?

Sure they keep the cabinets, and you get parts. Seems win win to me.

Evan

I could see if these things were still being produced, but there are only so many of them alot of times sets that are still in good electronic condition are hacked apart for this purpose. Ive seen the remnants of these oh so hip "tvtanks" dumped at flea markets and vintage shops numerous times. Either the novelty wears off, or the cabinet begins to split and swell from all the exess moisture it was never designed to handle, the inside covered in mold. What really gets me is when an otherwise rare, desirable set, especially early color sets like the CTC-5 are gutted by someone who didn't know, nor care to find out what they had. Yes, ive actually seen a CTC-5 fishtanked, at some hipster "vintage chic" store on Lorain aveue in Cleveland. I practically cried. The Joke's on them though, because they would have been able to get more for it in as found condition then they ever will as a piece of "art". Kid in the store said they gutted it with a couple of hammers and a crowbar.

Speaking of extra TV's, If anyone is looking to get rid of a mid 50's- early 60's b&w consolette I'd be glad to take it. I need a decent sized TV for the bedroom, but cant fit a full size console in my tiny room, let alone up the stairs. A zenith would be great. I've had great luck with them. The set in my sig sees daily use.

what about my 21-T639

[QUOTE=fsjonsey;Kid in the store said they gutted it with a couple of hammers and a crowbar

Wow, the thought of that really burns me. I'd like to take the hammer to a couple of LCD's in its memory.