What's it worth? (Zenith)

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Whassamatta, Carmine, you DON'T sit glued to th' Tooob to see what part of her body Britney has buzz-cutted THIS week ?!? Or who is Paris schtupping this hour? Or what untalented bozo will get a super zinger from Simon this time? Why, there's ALLSORTS of innerestin' Schtuff on TV for yer perusal-it must be somethin' wrong w/YOU....<grin> You do realise I'm being as sarcastic as possible...

It's actually worse (better?) for me, since I'm one of those losers without cable TV. I only get to choose from 3-hour blocks of TV judge shows, or infomercials.

[70salesguy]

To answer your question about why no one wants an antique tv, I think it may be that a TV is one of those items that most everyone can see that a $99 WalMart special has a better picture than the antique. That doesn't seem to be the case with vintage audio gear.

I think you've touched on the other reason people don't seem to want them, source material. If you had vintage TV shows on tape or DVD, it probably would be more fun to watch on a vintage TV. But who wants to watch "America's next supermodel survivor great race american idol on ANY TV"?

I personally have had a hard time tossing an old tv unless it was a BPOC and didn't work!

I bought a Quasar 16" Color unit when I was in college and still have it tucked away because it still works. I also have a Sony KV-1215 Color portable that Ii have had for over 30 years and can't bring myself to get rid of it!

[Carmine]

There are plenty of cases where I can point out a newer version of something that does the job better/cheaper than the old version.

Audio collectibles are a slightly larger niche than old TV collecting, granted, but it's still a niche. 99% of people are going to choose the digital-remote control piece of disposable garbage over a 1965 Fisher X-1000-2 (or whatever).

What I believe the point to be is, why do there seem to be so many people willing to fill up their homes with Franklin Mint gas-pumps, Pink Elvis barstools, Marlyn Monroe wine, and other such non-sense, yet the idea of having an old B&W TV is like asking for cancer volunteers?

*BTW, that Marlyn Monroe wine is no joke. I had a good friend who was a real 50s nut... Down to owning a '59 Ford, and having a rec room full of all kinds of 50s-type CRAPOLA (re-pops made in china). He had actual Marlyn Monroe wine!

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by Carmine

What I believe the point to be is, why do there seem to be so many people willing to fill up their homes with Franklin Mint gas-pumps, Pink Elvis barstools, Marlyn Monroe wine, and other such non-sense, yet the idea of having an old B&W TV is like asking for cancer volunteers?

I'm glad other people see what I mean, only I was coming from the perspective of "antique" stores/malls. Same with the "collectors" though. Some guy becomes a 50's nut. Suddenly everything that was part of that atmosphere suddenly becomes treasure. Everything that is but the one thing that caused the most comotion and social change second only to Rock and Roll. The television set. I want even born in the 50s but it seems to me that the big thing has always been Rock and Roll, really cool cars, and television. I was born in the 60's but I always heard of or watched reruns of the early television greats. Heck shows like I Love Lucy, The Adventures of Superman, Andy Griffith, Leave It To Beaver, and Father Knows Best were what came on for us kids to watch after school. Gunsmoke and Bonanza were great on the weekends. I missed Ed Sullivan but I always thought Milton Berle was great when he did guest apearances or specials in the 70's.

I don't think ALL old TV's should really be any big deal but the stuff from the pioneering days should be as or more important than anything else from that time period. They do take up space. I have heard that excuse from antique store owners, but so does a 2 ton china cabinet, or a grandfather clock. I guess there is just a certain kind of mind that is captivated by the old sets. I have had this strange attraction for around 25 years. No explanation at all. My Dad thought I was a nut dragging home the donations from our high school electronics class (we even had a Predicta). He balled me out one time and said I was turning his house into a junkpile. I still have 3 of those sets from back then. The rest I had to bust up for firewood when I joined the Army.

Maybe I am crazy. I remember being a kid and gazing into the opened back of my 56 Philco as it played. I liked the glow of the tubes, the bluish/white light projecting through the bell of the crt, and the sound of the vertical output transformer. Sometimes I still take a look. I still have the set....

Well if it is crazy, I say its no crazier than anything else people call hobbies. At least its unique and kind of educates you as you learn the repair/restoration process. Thank God we have this great Website and the many fellow individuals with a common interest and a pool of knowledge.

Keep the glow alive!!