Antique Radio Conversion: Table Top Champ

[Cygnus X1]

I keep busy building various amps but don't post much of what I actually get done.
The rush to finish one and start another makes me forget to take the time to show what is happening.

This flea market find lent itself very well to a 5F1 project.
The original radio was equipped with a full set of transformers,
5Y3GT, 12AT7, and 6V6GT along with the usual radio receiver tubes.
Fair wood cabinet and room for an 8" alnico speaker.

Used a new chassis and worked it in to the cab.
Essentially a point to point build using terminal risers.
The amp itself sounds great, as a tweed 5F1 Champ should.
Next challenge was getting the cosmetics on the front
and the lights together without rattling.
Took a couple of days to get all of that together.

Sounds great through the test 4x12, and sounds very good on its own as a table top.
Although the cab is not all that tall, it is deep and offers a nice low end.
Only one detail, and that's get a handle on it!

[Bob S]

That looks way cool! Well thought out & applied.
We should all take the time to post what we are up to - me included.
I wish I had more time to dedicate to my addiction.
Thanks for posting - it shows the possibilities.

[Reeltarded]

I love that! I really need to go yard trolling for a cool radio cabinet or even a stereo console.

Wow.. how cool would that be? I think I would leave the turntable in there. heh

[M Fowler]

Sweet build I keep looking for more cabs like that.

Mark

[Cygnus X1]

I love that! I really need to go yard trolling for a cool radio cabinet or even a stereo console.

Wow.. how cool would that be? I think I would leave the turntable in there. heh

Like this mono Silvertone console?
(Underneath the RCA radio)
I plan on putting a 12" in there.
Should be an easy build.
It has a teensy speaker in it, at the bottom.
Phono in the middle.

[img:390:690]http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5439 ... ertone.jpg[/img]

[Jack Hester]

I picked this up at an antique mall:

[img:536:800]http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/ ... e1_001.jpg[/img]

[img:536:800]http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/ ... e1_002.jpg[/img]

[img:536:800]http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/ ... e1_003.jpg[/img]

[img:536:800]http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/ ... e1_004.jpg[/img]

Radio was trashed, but then that's what I was looking for. The original radio had several parts to the chassis, and not very useful for an amp project. So, Terry Naugler of Seaside Music fabricated a really nice chassis for this build. I had it built plenty large, so that I could be as creative as I wanted. I haven't given much thought to what I want. I only have room on the front panel (not shown in these pictures) for three controls. One will be a volume control with power switch. The others will be Bass and Treble, probably Baxandall. Other than that, I'm still planning.

Thanks for posting your build. I enjoy seeing these old cabinets being used for such.

Jack

[Cygnus X1]

That will be great Jack!
When is it going to be done?

[cbass]

I have a few old tube console radios.I can't bringm yself to hack them up they are inpretty good shape

[Structo]

Those are cool!

I saw an article in a Hi Fi magazine where a guy took two identical large RCA console radios (about 4 ft tall) and made his front mains for his stereo out of them.

The dials lit up and everything. I believe he had a three way config in each one.

[Jack Hester]

That will be great Jack!
When is it going to be done?

Not sure, at this point. Too many projects going on, and the shop is awful hot in the late afternoon, when I get home. I like to get out there before daylight on my days off. That way, I can get in several hours before the metal building starts cooking. I have a fine Jensen 16 ohm, 12" speaker that will work nicely in there. I'm also planning to mount the power supply for the amp down in the bottom, behind the speaker. Gives me even more room to experiment. Of course, there will be a number of controls in the back, as I can't bring myself to do a simple build with so much real estate to build on. Anyway, still planning.

Jack

[skyboltone]

I prefer fixing the radios.

[Cygnus X1]

I prefer fixing the radios.

I have a working RCA AM tabletop, but sadly the stations are disappearing.
I also have a nice Zentih AM/FM with a blown selenium I want to keep as-is.

Many of these are just dirt cheap and far too tempting for conversions.

[skyboltone]

I prefer fixing the radios.

I have a working RCA AM tabletop, but sadly the stations are disappearing.
I also have a nice Zentih AM/FM with a blown selenium I want to keep as-is.

Many of these are just dirt cheap and far too tempting for conversions.

Surplus parts of Nebraska? Maybe this one:

(SDI) A211CF2AC1? or this one
(SDI) RS40S100CS1 or
(SDI) 283551 (this one is only $100)
(SDI) 2S263B1BBG (collins; probably fit) $20
(SDI) 63-0682 ($10) probably it

I do hate to encourage those robbers and thieves,but they frequently have what you need to get the old stuff going. I need a concentric pot for an old Hammarlund. I suppose I could put that model back on my search list on E-flea. I might find a parts unit. The one I have is pristine. I don't believe I'd part out anything with a wooden or molded Micarta cabinet. Some of those can be worth thousands now and more later if they are working and haven't been butchered. My main deal used to be the Ham Radio receivers and transmitters. I made a hell of a lot more off of those than I ever have off of guitar amps. Not as satisfying in most ways though. That market is about dead in this country though. We old AM phone guys are about all that is left. The bands are a wasteland because of the internet and cell phones.


Dan

[Cygnus X1]

Dan,
You're saying these $25 working radios are worth thousands?
What exactly should I save?

Here is one I will keep:
Zenith C730 on top of a Kalamazoo Model 2:


[img:425:685]http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6681/z ... arlfla.jpg[/img]

[Cygnus X1]

And here is one I will likely convert into another guitar amp




Suddenly I can't get an image to post (again).