Phonoland

Just found this site, and wanted to introduce myself. I've been collecting 78's for about 5 years. I'm an art teacher and I play them in class for my students. Something about the Big Bands and Rag Time music really helps them focus.

I recently bought an old RCA Victor Radio/Turntable model 77U in a junk store. It does not work and is a little banged up. Does anyone know where I could find replacement tubes and needles for it, or a place that repairs these old machines? I don't know if I can fix it, but I just couldn't let someone paint it and turn it into a flower pot or something. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Locate a local and reputable restorer for it.
The 77U will most certainly need more than tubes or a needle.
The whole radio chassis will need restoration - I've done them.

Thanks for the help. I'll look for a local repair shop. Do you know how much a restoration should cost?

Joe S wrote:Thanks for the help. I'll look for a local repair shop. Do you know how much a restoration should cost?

Don't simply find a "repair shop" - this is a job for an experienced restoration specialist who deals with vintage/aged electronics of the tube era.

A lot of my customers hit me with that up-front $64,000 question - "how much would it cost?"

My answer to that is - when dealing with something 40-70+ years old, it's really impossible to predict the amount of deterioration/work involved, since during that time so many possible variables are involved.

How was it stored? (climate plays a key here)
What useage/abuse has it suffered?
How many times was it possibly "repaired" before?
And by whom? (a pro? - grandpa? - uncle eddie?)
Was it used when parts started to fail? (cooked chassis parts? - overheating?)
Etc. etc.

All these things and more contribute to the overall job of restoration, and certainly without me having the chassis on the bench, I can't expect to make an educated guess.
Even the 77U I restored for a woman here in Philly would be in different stage of deterioration than another in Texas.

Additionally, during the restoration, certain problems can crop up, and these issues can only show after the restoration process has begun, again throwing more labor time and parts into the final mix.

Nevertheless, expect a couple hundred to invest.
On the bright side, this expense is only a one-time thing - done to reverse the decades of aging that has taken place, and not being needed again, as long as a proper restoration has been done.
Once this is done, the reliability, longevity, and safety is brought back, as well as the great sound quality these things can provide, for years to come.

Matt, Joe,
When someone asks me "how much will it cost--" to "fix" it. I have an almost standard answer, after years of "fixin' on" Jukeboxes. I ask that person to tell me "How much will it cost to fix a sandwich"--
"Let's start with the bread--do I need to purchase, or bake it--and which type do you prefer--then what you want on it--PB is always less then any meat--tuna and eggs are different prices--mayo ? mustard ? catsup ( or ketchup)---" About this time they usually understand the problem a little better. In which case I tell them I can only quote "CYA --ballpark figures" once you inform me me as to what you want me to do-- Ron Rich

MattTech wrote:

Joe S wrote:Thanks for the help. I'll look for a local repair shop. Do you know how much a restoration should cost?

Don't simply find a "repair shop" - this is a job for an experienced restoration specialist who deals with vintage/aged electronics of the tube era.

A lot of my customers hit me with that up-front $64,000 question - "how much would it cost?"

My answer to that is - when dealing with something 40-70+ years old, it's really impossible to predict the amount of deterioration/work involved, since during that time so many possible variables are involved.

How was it stored? (climate plays a key here)
What useage/abuse has it suffered?
How many times was it possibly "repaired" before?
And by whom? (a pro? - grandpa? - uncle eddie?)
Was it used when parts started to fail? (cooked chassis parts? - overheating?)
Etc. etc.

All these things and more contribute to the overall job of restoration, and certainly without me having the chassis on the bench, I can't expect to make an educated guess.
Even the 77U I restored for a woman here in Philly would be in different stage of deterioration than another in Texas.

Additionally, during the restoration, certain problems can crop up, and these issues can only show after the restoration process has begun, again throwing more labor time and parts into the final mix.

Nevertheless, expect a couple hundred to invest.
On the bright side, this expense is only a one-time thing - done to reverse the decades of aging that has taken place, and not being needed again, as long as a proper restoration has been done.
Once this is done, the reliability, longevity, and safety is brought back, as well as the great sound quality these things can provide, for years to come.

I see your point. A couple of hundred is not bad for something that will bring my family enjoyment for years. It looks like it was probably stored in a garage. Some of the wood on the side is bowing, and it has a little paint damage on the top of it. I didn't see any evidence of a past restoration. It was also missing one of the tubes (35L6GT). I'll take a few pictures of it and post them.

Joe S wrote:I see your point. A couple of hundred is not bad for something that will bring my family enjoyment for years. It looks like it was probably stored in a garage. Some of the wood on the side is bowing, and it has a little paint damage on the top of it. I didn't see any evidence of a past restoration. It was also missing one of the tubes (35L6GT). I'll take a few pictures of it and post them.

Indeed, if stored in a damp location, (the wood damage) then corrosion in the chassis is likely, making things more difficult to repair.
I only focus on the mechanicals and electronics to make them "perfect" again.
For cabinet work, I recommend a great local guy near me who is as passionate with wood as I am with the guts.

Matt,
A gent I considered very wise, once told me a "smart man knows what he knows, and also knows his limits"--so, if it comes to "cabinet work", of almost any kind, I do not "back away"--I RUN away--
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
A gent I considered very wise, once told me a "smart man knows what he knows, and also knows his limits"--so, if it comes to "cabinet work", of almost any kind, I do not "back away"--I RUN away--
Ron Rich

That is why I researched a quality furniture restorer in my area, Ron.
I know at times the customer will need the benefits of such a person, and in my line of work, it's good to have additional resources like that to assist the customer.

My expertise is focused mainly on the internals.
That, in itself, is enough work.

I found a restorer here in the Dallas area. Here are the pictures I've been planning on posting. I've been busy and just now got some time to post them.