View Single Post
  #15  
Old 02-24-2009, 01:54 PM
Tony V's Avatar
Tony V Tony V is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Brookneal, VA
Posts: 892
The burgandy and blond colored ones with fine tuning knobs are identical except for the color, so all you need is a color match for the blonds. On the sets without the fine tuning knob, the outside part is the same as the outer knobs on the ones with. Someone might pitch in and mention if the channel selector knob on the ones without fine tuning has the same style shaft as the outer two on the set. The main thing is you have the set with the fine tuning knob which is the most popular out of all of them. If you get a color match for the blond ones then you'll have what you need for 75% of the ones that need knobs. The burgandy and blond ones are identical except for color.

The gold knob is gold all the way around not just the center. The originals were gold reversed painted which means the knob was clear and the gold was painted on the back side of the knob to make it appear as it was solid gold. Obviously these didnt have finger wear problems because of this process. I have seen early replacements where the metallic gold was embedded in the plastic mixture during casting. These were less shiny than the originals but matched ok. I believe you can use the same molds to make these also as they are only slightly different appearance wise (mainly the channel selector knob) if you can figure how to do the gold for them. I wish i had some i could send you so you could figure whats needed to be done with a known example. I've seen these in person but dont have any to pass along or you would be welcome to them. All i have is one set of burgandy knobs with the fine tuning knob which you already have. Maybe someone will volunteer a blonde knob and a gold channel selector knob. You might run this by the tv guys on ARF also like you did when you started reproducing the masks and see if anyone has a couple you can borrow. I may have one blond knob for these i could send you but will have to dig in my box of knobs to find it. It will at least give you a color match. Just let me know and i'll look for it.

I will be buying at least two masks from you shortly and if you make a run of knobs i will be buying those too. Of course if you locate and are able to duplicate the GE locomotive knobs that will be a sure thing also. You have done such a quality job with your reproductions not only for the tv guys but also for the radio guys and we appreciate your efforts.
-Tony
Reply With Quote
Audiokarma