Take a Chance or Not?
 

I'm thinking about getting this set, in the CL link, and have it shipped to Florida.. I have no volunteers that's local to the set to at least go and test the pic tube..

Here's the ad link

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ele/4422636252.html

Here are pics I got from seller.. Appears to be a rebuild by RCA.. Seeing how it has the newer RCA letters... I'm surprised I don't see colorama..

What does anyone think? Should I gamble on the set and the $200+ to have it moved to Florida?

The tube is a rebuilt the Rca colorama would have the stamping right on the connector, Plus you wouldn't see the white label around the edge of the jug.

As for purchasing the set, these guys are getting any more plentiful. It looks like it's been taken care of and the ctc12 chassis is a winner.

I've heard RCA colorama rebuilt tubes are not dependable at all.. Plus I have a rectangular set (CTC-31) that has a colorama that's falling asleep.. But I also have a CTC16 that has a colorama in it that has a great pic and decent emissions.. I just want to see if the gamble is more of a winner before taking the chance.. If the tube is a dud, than I will go no further and have waisted $400+ dollars..

What era does anyone think this rebuilt was put in? I know it had to be 74 or after.. But maybe someone would know a bit more by the tag..

It looks like a CTC16E. 1965 model with UHF tuner.
RCA Service Company was having their replacement CRT's supplied by a third party rebuilder. EIA 436, on the label?
That set must've been under contract for a long time. :yes:

EIA 436.. I'm looking at the fully blown up pic and appears to be EIA 436.. Is this a good thing?

It's really hard to say. I think RCA Service Company was divested when GE took over. They same thing happened with their electric motor repair shops.
Regarding rebuilt CRT's, it's all about the care that was taken in the process. Look what happened to Zenith's CRT plant! :tears:

The jug says RCA service & since most RCA service
customers had X warranties I doubt they used RCA unless
they had to.
The EIA number is not RCA but I dont remember who it is.
Its familiar, probably one of the many small rebuilders.
The date code looks like 0991. The last time I put a
new jug in a roundy was mid 70's a Zenith combo. Strange....

73 Zeno:smoke:

Hi All;
I would think You could find something a little closer to Your Home, and save on at least the shipping expense..

THANK YOU Marty

The CRT is probably OK, but it's the older sulfide phosphor CRT. It's a little too pricy, plus the shipping is a deal breaker.:nono:

The label with the date code is a little dirty and smudged, but when I blew it up it looks to me like it says either 7901 or 7701.

Here's the image blown up all the way with the tag..

I'm in South Florida where it's almost completely dry of color roundies.. So I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars between 2 and 4.. but taking a risk that the tube could be a dud is alot of money to throw around.. That's why I posted this..

I don't know anything about date codes, but It looks like its 7701 or 0701

I've seen one of those RCA Service Corp tubes before. A sulfide type with the front face siliconed on it, no PVA, and weak. Still, that's a nice clean set though and could be worth getting....

I shipped an RCA 19" B/W, from the Midwest to LA Calif. Weight was 58# uncrated. The UPS store wanted $295.00. Craters and Freighters wanted $415.
I packed it very carefully and shipped USPS, for $72.00, postage and packing materals. The buyer said the box was in tough shape, but the set was unharmed. :thmbsp:































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