[kx250rider]

I have to respectfully disagree with most of the above opinions.

A "virgin" nonworking set is far more desirable to me, and also to at least 3 other bigtime collectors with whom I've been acquainted for a long time. In the case of prewar sets, it can bring the value down dramatically if they've been recapped or otherwise disturbed. HOWEVER, with more common collector sets, (i.e. Predictas, 630 TS's, and probably most all color sets, a recap and rendering into working order is fine. One of the very few Zenith 43M20 color prototype 15" sets still to exist is 100% virgin, and has about 2,000,000 Sprague striped Black Beauties in it. That set will NEVER be recapped, although the original screw-head 15" tube is GOOD!

Bottom line: If the TV has already been fooled with, or if it's not really a rare set, go have at it! But if it's untouched, leave it alone and trade it to another collector for a recapped, working set.

Charles