Rca trk-12

[relaximus]

Originally Posted by ChuckA

Anybody else notice the missing decals on the TV control side board? Also it looks like the board is mahogany rather than the tight grained walnut normally used, possibly replaced when tuner mod happened.
With all the dust can't tell if the radio side board has labels.

Well, as I haven't been able to catch up with the lady that's been living there, I got in touch with the owners of the house (she was renting, as the owners were xfered to France). The owners tell me that she is supposed to be out by the end of the month and if the TV is still there in July, it's mine for the taking. I took a stroll down this evening to check on it and it's still there. I can say that the decals on the Radio side are still there, yet very dark as though they were stained over. I was able to make-out the the word "Victrola" around one of the radio's selector knobs. The tuning indicator (needle) for the radio still moves in response to the knob! The panel on the TV side is indeed quite thin. Perhaps 1/8". The TV tuner reminds me a bit of a KLH 21 radio tuner in that the tuning knob turns at (perhaps) a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio in relationship to the tuning indicator (needle).

Dave

[relaximus]

Originally Posted by me (relaximus)

... I can say that the decals on the Radio side are still there, yet very dark as though they were stained over.

My guess is that when the TV tuner was replaced, its new panel was stained in-place and the radio side was hit at the same time to try and make them match.

Dave

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by relaximus

the garage is unlocked and I have permission from the home-owners) and it's still there.

If the lady is AWOL, I would contact the owners and politely offer to buy and install a sturdy padlock on their garage. Give them (or their local agent) all the keys, so they know you're not trying to pull something. Explain that you got your heart set on that funny old thing in the garage and it's worth the cost of a padlock to make sure it doesn't disappear from their property.

Phil Nelson

[Pielock373]

I am green with envy! If it was mine I would restore and never let it out of my sight. Don't sell it, keep it if you have the room for it. That is a once in a lifetime find, fate is trying to tell you something! If your lucky enough to end up with itKeep it, don't sell it! Just thinking about this set is making me light-headed. This is like winning the lottery, IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE, don't sell it! Keep it and polish it daily.

Steve P

[VintagePC]

Originally Posted by Pielock373

I am green with envy! It it was mine I would restore and never let it out of my sight. Don't sell it, keep it if you have the room for it. That is a once in a lifetime find, fate is trying to tell you something! Keep it don't sell it!

I'd echo this... it's likely the perfectionist in me, but I couldn't bear to part with it and _not_ know how it was being treated... but I don't doubt there's plenty of people out there who know how to care for it and would love to have one.

Each his own, and I respect your choice. (but still... resell? why would you _ever_ want to do that? )

[ChuckA]

Seems everyone that has chimed in on the future of this set has overlooked one important item, Dave isn't a TV collector. I see an audio collector who is looking for a means to acquire/upgrade his collection, just like any of the TV collectors would be looking at a rare and valuable non TV piece they found in a thrift shop.

If I had a Fisher President or the like sitting in my garage I'd be trying to make a deal with Dave 2 days ago. It sounds as if this set ends up in Dave's hands, it is going to be available to us TV collectors at, of course, market value but that's the luck of the draw.

Dave, you're from New England get that Yankee trader mind set in gear. Take a stack of hundreds the next time you go to talk with the owner, start putting them on the table, it's remarkable what the sight of hundred dollar bills does for negotiations.

Chuck

[relaximus]

Originally Posted by ChuckA

... Dave, you're from New England get that Yankee trader mind set in gear. Take a stack of hundreds the next time you go to talk with the owner, start putting them on the table, it's remarkable what the sight of hundred dollar bills does for negotiations.

They're already in my wallet Chuck!

I'm hoping she comes around today so I can start laying 'em down.

Dave

[TubeType]

Originally Posted by ChuckA

Seems everyone that has chimed in on the future of this set has overlooked one important item, Dave isn't a TV collector. I see an audio collector who is looking for a means to acquire/upgrade his collection, just like any of the TV collectors would be looking at a rare and valuable non TV piece they found in a thrift shop.

If I had a Fisher President or the like sitting in my garage I'd be trying to make a deal with Dave 2 days ago. It sounds as if this set ends up in Dave's hands, it is going to be available to us TV collectors at, of course, market value but that's the luck of the draw.

Dave, you're from New England get that Yankee trader mind set in gear. Take a stack of hundreds the next time you go to talk with the owner, start putting them on the table, it's remarkable what the sight of hundred dollar bills does for negotiations.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. You hit the nail squarely on the head. Truer words were never spoken.

[Pielock373]

If you get it , please PLEASE PLEASE be careful not to break the picture tube! If you need extra hands I am but 40 minutes north of you on RT.91 in Deerfield MA. and would be happy to help you move it, I would hate to see something get damaged on this wonderful old set.

Steve