Tom Albrecht's Radio and TV Attic

Atwater Kent 84 (1931)
Atwater Kent made beautifully engineered radios with quality construction and cabinets. This model 84 is a six-tube early superheterodyne. Like most A-K sets, it has a heavy gauge metal chassis with nickel plating. This radio has been well taken care of over the years -- its chassis is wonderfully clean and free of any rust or corrosion. The cabinet still has its original finish in very nice condition. Even the original felt feet are in nice shape. Knobs, dial, and escutcheon are original; only the grille cloth appears to have been replaced by a previous restorer with a pattern similar to the original. A previous tech did a beautiful job replacing capacitors and power cord and adding a safety fuse (something I rarely say about previous restorations by others), and I further improved things with a new rubber roller for the tuner, a replacement vintage volume control, the correct value padder capacitor for proper dial calibration, and a meticulous alignment so it performs like new. You'll appreciate the quality of this radio. 19"H x 15-1/2"W x 9-1/2"D. $495.00. (1310165)

Candle ATR-80A (1961)
Cute salmon-colored eight-transistor radio with original box, instructions, leather case, earphone, earphone pouch, and strap. It is all original and works very well. The leather case has somewhat self-destructed over the years, and the plastic case of the radio has two minor imperfections: a chip where the back engages the top, and a short crack in the middle of the top of the back (both defects visible in top/rear picture). The clear dial cover also has some residue that is visible in the front view. This model is unusual in that it can also operate on AC power; however, the original AC power cord is missing. 6"W x 3-3/4"H x 1-1/2"D. $65.00. (1310158)

Howard SG-B "Green Diamond" (1930)
What a gorgeous cabinet design! This shouldered cathedral -- with its burl trim, inlayed patterns, delicate latticework, and carved finials -- is very pleasing to the eye. The finish on this cabinet is original, and in outstanding condition for its age. This Howard model is rarely seen, so another one is not likely to appear for some time. The chassis is very clean and has been fully restored with new capacitors, good tubes, new resistors where needed, and a new vintage-style power cord. It has been meticulously aligned to perform like new with good dial calibration. The circuitry represents the closing chapter of an earlier era, with a TRF design and no AVC, but it performs well and sounds good with the provided wire antenna. Grab this one before I decide to keep it for myself! 17-1/2"H x 15"W x 11-1/2"D. $750.00. (1310172)

Motorola A2W15 (1959)
This inexpensive Motorola table radio was a popular model for kitchens and bedrooms. Its trendy molded plastic cabinet and simple printed circuit board simplified manufacturing. One place Motorola splurged a little on this radio is the speaker, which is a relatively high quality 5-inch speaker, where others used cheaper 4-inch versions. This radio is in excellent working order, having had its paper and electrolytic capacitors replaced, a strong set of tubes installed, IF transformers rebuilt (to avoid "silver mica disease"), and a full alignment for best performance. The original ivory power cord is clean and safe to use. A nice example of a popular mid-century radio for your collection. 11"W x 6"H x 5-1/4"D. $85.00. (1310170)

Philco 90 Cathedral (1931)
Philco's model 90 is the quintessential cathedral that everyone recognizes and loves. Designed by Edward Combs, it set the course for a very popular design trend in the early 1930s. It was also an advanced superheterodyne when it was introduced. Imagine the joy that buyers had when operating a radio like this compared to the 1920s radios they were replacing -- this Philco would have been a giant step forward in sensitivity, sound quality, and simplicity. It was also reasonably priced for its time; no wonder that Philco sold a zillion of these. This is the "middle" model with a single 47 output tube and AVC. The chassis has been fully restored with new capacitors, new resistors where needed, a strong set of tubes, and a careful alignment so that it performs like new. The power cord has been replaced with a modern vintage-style cord (keeping the original plug) and a fuse has been added for improved safety. The dial has some pencil markings from the 1930s showing west coast stations of the time. I've left the markings as part of the history of this radio; you can easily remove them with an eraser if desired. The cabinet has been nicely refinished. Knobs, dial, and escutcheon are original; grille cloth and speaker have been replaced. 18-3/4"H x 17-1/4"W x 12"D. $950.00. (1310164)

Webster Chicago 362 (1950)
Webster Chicago introduced this three speed (33, 45, and 78 RPM) portable phonograph in 1950, just one year after the introduction of 33 RPM LP and 45 RPM records. It plays both the older 78 RPM records from the 1940s and earlier, as well as 45s and LPs right up to modern times. Everything is in good working order--the record changer mechanism is fully operational for both 10" and 12" records (and it can play 7" records as well). The vintage Sonotone needle and pickup sound good; it has a flip-over needle to select between 78 and LP stylus. The flocking on the turntable is like new--a rarity in 74 year old player! The idler and turrets have been resurfaced, so records play well with no noticeable wow or flutter. The amplifier has been fully restored with good tubes, new capacitors, and some new resistors, and the speaker is in good condition. Click here to see this unit in operation. Enjoy all your old records with this nicely restored vintage record player! 15"W x 9-1/2"H x 18"D. $175.00. (1310173)

Zenith 5-S-126 "Cube" (1937)
This compact Zenith "Cube" has everything you like best about Zenith black dial sets--the stunning backlit three-color dial with its "Split Second" tuning, the solid walnut knobs embossed with the Zenith "Z" and lightning bolt, a beautiful walnut veneered cabinet, and a great performing chassis with good sound. All this in a package that isn't a shelf space hog or a behemoth that would be expensive to ship. All cabinet components are original except the grille cloth, which has been replaced with new period-correct cloth. The cabinet has been nicely refinished. While so many Zeniths have the black dial sagging sadly in the round opening, this one has had a proper mechanical restoration, which puts the dial right back in the center of the window where it belongs. The chassis has had a full electrical restoration as well with all new capacitors, most resistors replaced, a strong set of tubes, new dial lights, a full alignment, an added safety fuse, and a new vintage-style power cord. It performs like new with good sensitivity, good dial calibration, and plenty of high quality sound to enjoy. Enjoy radio broadcasts, or order it with my Better Bluetooth to listen to your own programs and music. 13-1/2"W x 11-3/4"H x 9-1/2"D. $595.00. (1310174)

Zenith 6-D-525 "Toaster" (1941)
This Zenith from 1941 is more than just another table radio. Both inside and out, this radio has a lot to offer. I was rather surprised to find it has a shielded loop antenna -- something often seen on the best consoles, but almost never on table radios, which usually have unshielded loops. A shielded loop is the best built-in antenna for reduced static and noise. The six-tube circuit also has an extra RF amplifier stage for superb sensitivity. The cabinet is special, too -- it's an Ingraham design with solid walnut sides and top with deeply sculpted air ventilation slots that give this radio the nickname "Toaster." This one has its original finish and looks good. It also has its original back (which is rare) and original knobs. Electrical restoration included everything that matters: new capacitors throughout, new resistors where needed, a strong set of tubes, a full RF/IF alignment, and rewiring of the switch circuit for best safety with the new polarized cord. It's a great performer. Lighted dial. 12"W x 7-1/2"H x 7"D. $265.00. (1310167)