One of the first Zenith cathedrals

[decojoe67]

vortalexfan: Thank you. Yes, you'll find that the "cheapie" sets, whether it be a radio or TV, will often perform surprisingly well once restored. I have a Gloritone cathedral, but the first 1930 model 27 that works well, but the early and primitive on/off/volume control is very touchy. I heard it was a first in the industry.

init4fun: "Zenette" was a perfect name for the first "compact" cathedral model, and the small '50's set you have. I like that they wrote it in the typical lightening bolt style.

Sandy G: Very true. I have a 1937 8S154 console that originally was working for years without any signs of resto work. It even had all original "Zenith" tubes. It did eventually need a recapping after many hours of use. The sets, even this so-called "low-cost" Zenette cathedral, is built like a tank. These were the days when someone would buy a major appliance and, with ordinary care, possibly have it for a lifetime! Manufacturers, or should I say the stockholders, decided planned obsolescence would be much more profitable.

[Tim Tress]

The company put the "Zenette" name on their early 1930s lower priced sets, afraid of damaging their reputation for making expensive radios.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Tim Tress

The company put the "Zenette" name on their early 1930s lower priced sets, afraid of damaging their reputation for making expensive radios.

Yes Tim. It seems Zenith did like Atwater Kent and reluctantly gave it to having to make lower-priced radios to stay competitive. I must say that this model L that I have is a simple design, but great quality in and out and very good performance. Better than my Philco 70 "Baby Grand". It seems the more established companies always waited a year or so on an innovative product another company put out to see how well it was accepted.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

Yes Tim. It seems Zenith did like Atwater Kent and reluctantly gave it to having to make lower-priced radios to stay competitive. I must say that this model L that I have is a simple design, but great quality in and out and very good performance. Better than my Philco 70 "Baby Grand". It seems the more established companies always waited a year or so on an innovative product another company put out to see how well it was accepted.

Rider's covers Zenith model s that are obviously model by Belmont!
Depression specials, with resistance line cords and non-AVC superhets, even TRF's.
They also built radios under the Interocean brand, either built by Zenith or the Chicago independents.
And here you thought that Zenith was wrong having Funai build their small TV sets and TV-VCR combinations.