Keyed AGC, deal breaker?

[JohnCT]

I want to restore an early fifties small console TV, and many of them have a couple of design issues that I know little about - I started in the business in the early 70s..

The first is keyed AGC. I've seen a bunch of early 50s TVs that seem to use the contrast control as the AGC. Do these TVs exhibit contrast shifting with picture content or signal strength? Is it annoying?

Second, many don't have aluminized CRTs. Again, deal breaker or do non-aluminized tubes have nice pictures on them if they''re strong enough?

I actually own three fifties TVs, the first is a GE console with rodent damage over the tuner (bad), and I think it's beyond reasonable hope.

The second is an Andrea roundie, and is beautifully built, but it's a table model and I'd prefer a small console. I found a CRT brightener on it but the tube without the brightener checks pretty good... It has a continuously variable tuner and FM radio tuner, but there's a broken phenolic gear on the tuner shaft. Doesn't seem likely to be found anywhere and I'm not a machinist.

Both also have 25mhz IFs, and my generators all run higher.

The third is a late 50s RCA metal portable that I may restore just for sh*ts and giggles at some point.


Any suggestions appreciated.

John