Phonoland

I have a Sylvania SC515W console from the mid 60s. Everything has been working perfect for months, however the last couple of days, the left speaker has been getting a lot of static. When i turn the volume knob it makes static. If i stop turning on a low volume it goes away, but if the volume is a bit higher the static continues even when not moving the knob.

Any thoughts on how I can trouble shoot and fix? I know opening up these old tube radios can be dangerous, but if i'm just looking at the speaker wire connections, is that ok?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Greg,
This type of a problem, most likely will not be a "loose wire". The most common cause of this is likely to be a "dirty" volume control(VC). This can be fixed, usually by spraying the control with a good quality cleaner, made for that purpose. IMHO, the best one I have found is "Deoxit #5". When spraying one must take care to spray ONLY into the VC. If that does not "cure it", someone with the skills needed, must trouble-shoot, and replace, whatever is causing the problem.
If that unit has not been serviced in a long time, I would suggest that a "pro" should be employed, to do a "re-cap job", at least. Having it done should save you money ( and may just save the radio) in the long run. Ron Rich

Indeed, any tube equipment, if not serviced, is a ticking time bomb.
Why people insist on using these things without feeling the need to restore them is beyond me.
50 years is a long time to expect proper operation and safety from them.

I'm currently restoring a 1959 Magnavox stereo console brought down from Chatham NJ, and it has multiple age-related issues to deal with - the cover's never been off it.

Matt,
Not only "tube stuff"--also 50 + year old "Solid state"( aka. "transistorized") stuff too !!!
ker-boom !
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
Not only "tube stuff"--also 50 + year old "Solid state"( aka. "transistorized") stuff too !!!
ker-boom !
Ron Rich

Yep Ron.
As I always state the analogy ---
Would you drive an old car on the highway with 50 year old tires and old oil?
How far would you expect to get?

It's common sense.

Matt,
Heck NO--I'd at least change the air in the tires !
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
Heck NO--I'd at least change the air in the tires !
Ron Rich

Agreed! That air can get quite stale if left in there too long.