Sonora 50s metal portable

[bandersen]

I recently rescued this little set from a basement along with the Scott 6T11. I searched all over but just couldn't find the back for it. Even so, I saw a lot of potential and brought it home.










The replacement "ECHO Tube Co." 10ABP4 CRT tests like new I think it's a rebuild.




Sure enough, it cleaned up nicely. I think Sandy might say it's "cute as a bug's ear"
For sure it's my new favorite portable.




I'd love to bring it back to life but can't a model # anywhere on it. I looked through all the Riders index but nothing matches. They were out of the TV business by 1960 so I figure it's gotta be around '57-'59.

Any ideas on the model ?
Also any thoughts about replacing that back ?
Maybe fabricate one from scratch or is there a similar model under another brand that might fit

[baursam]

Bob, this is a guess, no pics but its the only metal case shown. Not much info

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sonora_rad_p_1759p175.html

[baursam]

Prob not as it states its a 17 inch portable. That's a big a#& portable.

[David Roper]

Looking at that big honking sweep tube in there I wonder if this is another true AC/DC set?

I did some research and here's what I found out so far: Sonora declared bankruptcy in early 1957 and stopped production by a least then, if not earlier. In 1959 Trav'ler bought the name and announced they were going to begin selling products with the Sonora brand again. In other words, Sonoras were just re-branded Trav'lers after that point. I looked at some of the Trav'ler portables from 1959-60 and they sure are the same style as Bob's set.

I have a Sams index from 1962 and I cross refrenced the Trav'lers and Sonoras together. I was able to eliminate some of them, but this is a list of the Sams folders that I can't find any info on to know which models they cover and/or a picture to know if it's Bob's set: 413-2, 472-15, 497-2, 502-2, 541-2

Maybe somebody has these folders and can look to see if they match Bob's set.

[Kevin Kuehn]

Originally Posted by egrand

I have a Sams index from 1962 and I cross refrenced the Trav'lers and Sonoras together. I was able to eliminate some of them, but this is a list of the Sams folders that I can't find any info on to know which models they cover and/or a picture to know if it's Bob's set: 413-2, 472-15, 497-2, 502-2, 541-2

Maybe somebody has these folders and can look to see if they match Bob's set.

Hmm. The only one that looks close is 413-2(models 1730-1731). But it's a 17 inch set. Any models listed that start with a 10?

[Username1]

That is a cute tv.... Boy they crammed a lota stuff into that little cabinet.....

You didn't find a turntable in there did you....?

[Kevin Kuehn]

Think I found it. I can scan or copy as needed.

Good job finding it! It must have been one of Sonora's last sets and Trav'ler used the design when they bought them out. Some of the Trav'ler sets used the same handle/antenna.

[Eric H]

I had a 10" Truetone that used the same handle and antenna, i thought it was a Wells Gardner built set but perhaps not.

[DavGoodlin]

I like that set with everything so accessible!

It would be nice to work on compared to all the RCA's I have where you have to remove huge PCB shields and engage in other gymnastics to replace caps.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Kevin Kuehn

Think I found it. I can scan or copy as needed.

Awesome! I'd love to have a scan and I'll PM you my email address.

[Sandy G]

Can't WAIT to see the l'il feller up 'n' runnin'..

[bandersen]

Now that I have the Sams, I see this set uses a 0.45 amp filament string. It should have a 8.4 VAC @ 0.45A 10ADP4 CRT , but instead I have a 6.3VAC @ 0.6A 10ABP4

I ran into a similar issue with a Zenith bugeye set. The CRT worked OK, but certainly wasn't as bright as it could be.

[bandersen]

Here it is next to an Admiral TS105 so you can really see how bulbous the front is.