Unique RCA 621TS - Videokarma.org TV - Video

decojoe67 · #1 04-25-2013, 04:14 AM

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/...-7-inch-screen

This 621, at the Elli Buk auction is the ONLY example that I have ever seen that deviates from the others. If you notice it has the "free-form" style pre-war decal on the front (all others have the post-war smaller, more block-style one). Also, a member on ARF noted that the rear badge serial number area deviates from the typical ones.
I think this was a VERY early production set. It could also stir up the controversy that the set, or some of them, were produced before the war. You have to admit, with the pre-war decal it really does look even more like a pre-war Vassos set. It's one of the more unique 621's I've seen as of yet.

bandersen · #2 04-25-2013, 09:28 AM

Well now you've seen two because mine does too

dieseljeep · #3 04-25-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandersen

Well now you've seen two because mine does too

Mine has the older logo, as well. I'll report the serial number later.

bandersen · #4 04-25-2013, 10:13 AM

It just went for $425 at the auction.

decojoe67 · #5 04-25-2013, 10:23 AM

Interesting guys! I guess I must have overlooked the decal in the past. From a distance and at a quick glance you can be fooled. The other interesting thing is that the serial number on the auction set is written different too (?)
I feel certain those were the earlist runs of the 621 - maybe prewar cabinets?

I can't believe how low the final bid was. Somebody stole that set!

bandersen · #6 04-25-2013, 10:26 AM

I did a google image search and they all seemed to have the smaller block-style font so I believe you are correct that it is unusual.

The other 621 today went for $475. All the sets have gone for much less than I expected. Then again you have to pay nearly 30% in fees and taxes and deal with pickup/shipping.

Einar72 · #7 04-25-2013, 10:27 AM

No controversy, the 13-channel format this uses was not the standard before the war. Also, the miniature tubes inside - 6J6, 6AG5, 6AU6, 6AL5, etc. - were new in 1940, so the design phase would have had to be rapid and thorough to have any sets in production before the 1942 consumer-goods cutoff. What we have here is a batch of left-over decals used on early production, IMHO, but I do like the old script much better!

decojoe67 · #8 04-25-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einar72

No controversy, the 13-channel format this uses was not the standard before the war. Also, the miniature tubes inside - 6J6, 6AG5, 6AU6, 6AL5, etc. - were new in 1940, so the design phase would have had to be rapid and thorough to have any sets in production before the 1942 consumer-goods cutoff. What we have here is a batch of left-over decals used on early production, IMHO, but I do like the old script much better!

I like the old script better too. It would have been awesome if RCA had put the "Television" decal on the next speaker bar down like the pre-war sets!
The debate with the 621 has always been that, although the chassis is definatley post-war, the cabinet might be a pre-war creation by, of course, John Vassos. It still does not make sense that the totally modern (for the time) flagship set, the 630, was created, yet one low-production small-screen set, the 621, was commisioned by Vassos to be designed in the out-dated pre-war deco styling (?) I definatley believe the 621 has pre-war roots of some kind.

Einar72 · #9 04-25-2013, 01:43 PM

Maybe they had the 621 7-incher in the works when production ceased. Vassos' design work may have already been commissioned, and maybe they already had it on-hand when all resources were diverted to wartime production. I've also seen an artist-modified photo of a TT-5 with a 10" screen added on ETF...

decojoe67 · #10 04-25-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einar72

Maybe they had the 621 7-incher in the works when production ceased. Vassos' design work may have already been commissioned, and maybe they already had it on-hand when all resources were diverted to wartime production. I've also seen an artist-modified photo of a TT-5 with a 10" screen added on ETF...

I agree. I think that theory makes sense. I heard the 621 cabinet dimensions wouldn't have worked for a pre-war chassis, but then RCA might already have had plans for chassis revisions early on.
The 630TS was the progression of the TRK-12 and the 621, a progression of the TT5.

***Eric H*** · #11 04-25-2013, 08:35 PM

Good grief, they're giving them away! Maybe I'll bid on some tomorrow, I'd have to have C&F ship though so that would suck.

I really think they hurt themselves by combining sets, often a very desirable one with something common that would have to be shipped as well, or as mentioned the two Doghouses together.

***Eric H*** · #12 04-25-2013, 08:39 PM

Someone on A.R.F. said Vassos designed the 8TS30 also, not sure if it's true but that model does have a more pre-war look than the 630 does. I actually think the 630 is a bit homely.

Einar72 · #13 04-25-2013, 10:37 PM

I agree, Eric, the 630 has an odd look to it, but many clones look even worse!

I'd be happy with just the cabinet and knobs; I have a camera monitor with a rumored-good 7DP4 inside, plus a couple of extra KCS-24 chassis that could be massaged to work (with a horizontal/HV section added)...

decojoe67 · #14 04-26-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric H

Someone on A.R.F. said Vassos designed the 8TS30 also, not sure if it's true but that model does have a more pre-war look than the 630 does. I actually think the 630 is a bit homely.

I highly doubt the 8TS30 was a Vassos design although I do agree that it does have a more deco look than the 630. Vassos style was the pre-war streamlined look that fell out of fashion after the war. Not much was heard of Vassos in radio/TV design at that point. That's why I absolutely believe the 621 was pre-war design.
The 630 looks better in person, by the way, especially a nice original example. The big plate glass front along with the ripply framed notty grille cloth panels make it look very primitive. It's a great set to watch too. They work amazingly well!

ChrisW6ATV · #15 04-27-2013, 01:03 AM

The miniature tubes were introduced in 1940, I did not know that. What company (or companies) first produced or designed them? If I was an RCA engineer, using upcoming smaller (and lower-priced?) tubes would be an excellent plan for a more-affordable TV set. This all may have been hashed out in the past, but speculation is still fun. Are there ANY 630s with the script-type decal known?