Shelbern Radio Date? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

totem · #1 09-08-2006, 07:28 PM

Hello, I drop in every so often but rarely have anything to post. Usually in the audio pages. These two radios I have had for a long time, have seen pic,s of the Zenith but not of the Shelbern, perhaps a Canadian product? Can anyone put an approximate date on these , I have alway,s wondered.

Sandy G · #2 09-08-2006, 07:36 PM

The Zenith dates from the early 1950s. I'd wager the date is stamped somewhere on the chassis. There must have been 3 zillion of those guys in a BUNCH of variations in cabinet design, color, etc made. They are pretty good performers, I'd say yrs would need a re-capping & maybe a tweak on the alignment, then it'll be ready for another 50 years...The other guy, I've never heard of, but just guessing, I'd say the same general time frame as the Zenith.

totem · #3 09-08-2006, 08:00 PM

Sandy G Remember one day I was looking at the insides of the Zenith and noticed the scematic on back panel and it showed that the very centre of the dial was infact a tone control, never knew that and had had it a long time.

Sandy G · #4 09-08-2006, 08:14 PM

Does it say "Armstrong System FM" on the back? Go over the case w/a good polishing compound, & then a coat or 2 of Carnauba wax, & she'll GLOW.

totem · #5 09-09-2006, 09:28 AM

No it does not have Armstrong FM on the back. On the selector switch it shows
FM 100 or STD B' CAST though. I will try the polishing compound & Carnuba.

Sandy G · #6 09-09-2006, 09:33 AM

Just to be on the safe side, "play" w/the polishing compound & wax a little bit on the bottom or inside B4 you attack the outside of the case...An old t-shirt or worn out sock works wonders as an applicator/polishing cloth. I've "been there, done that" on polishing Bakelite a few times...<grin>

Tom Bavis · #7 09-09-2006, 09:59 AM

The Zenith looks like my T-825, though speaker grille is different. Picture here: http://www.audiophool.cjb.net/radio.html

I have a CD-ROM of Canadian schematics, but it has no Shelbern listings. But then it only covers 1927-1953 - this is probably later.

rfenergy · #8 09-22-2006, 10:58 AM

Shelberne was a Canadian company out of Montreal.Your radio is probably a mid 1950's radio.I think a company by the name of Continental in the US made equivalent radios.