Sorry I haven't been on ...life keeping me busy else were

Anyway I just had to post this.

When do Bees Have 5 Knobs ?

Its an auction that I think will get taken by a restorer thought I may bid anyway. There is a split on the top shell dial part cross piece it looks like.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251559691804?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649.

It looks to be an original knob, but is it a possible prototype or more likely a Home brew Mod of the Day?
(knob seem a little out of whack)

Just found it interesting & is a nice looking case.

But it some what losses its authenticity if a mod, still a rather unique piece of history if it was modded in the day so as to speak.

Anyway though some may be interested or have knowledge of this.

Pity there is no inside shots but really to be expected by those just flogging things..but probably better people like that dont open them and stuff things in the process.

Cheers

I believe the Kriesler 11-20 (Plum Pudding) comes in four and five knob versions, with the four-knobber being far more common though I don't believe the 11-4 (Beehive) did. Given that the 5th control in this case is mounted in front of the name badge I'd say it was added by a previous owner.

Hi Brad thanks for the reply
Hope all went well with the move

Yeah I kinda figured it would be a mod...Seems it went for a pretty penny too at nearly $200
I think it was the same bidder that out bid me on another Sydney one I wanted

Personally I doubt Id go that high anyway on an unknown radio that definitely needs to be restored or raided for parts like most of the case (which is probably worth it to someone)

Still they seem to be going for a $100 plus more restored on Ebay so guess even at that price losing your labour (of love) you'd probably make a profit...but thats not what my Bee's are for..they are for me

Amway I joined the HRSA so maybe if I can ever get to a meet I might see some of you there.

Sadly life is keeping me away from things I like to do... like get two bees going

Cheers all ....

Amway I joined the HRSA so maybe if I can ever get to a meet I might see some of you

If you attend regularly, you'll probably see beehives for sale at the auctions. Should be able to pick one up cheaper than on eBay, but depends on condition and bidders on the day of course.

Note that it's not unusual to find cracked louvres on that model due to over-tightening of the rods and/or loss of the paper spacers.

Thanks GTC... yeah.... well aware of that with Bees and sure thats why a lot just go after the case.

Ebay is a bit over the top for everything...its not really a good place to shop if your restoring unless you just happen to be lucky.

Oddly I got a restored one off Ebay for $99.. no one bid cause of the case I guess..still I goofed a bit cause it was the brown dial face not the Green orange...actually its guts is in better condition then the other 2 but not so sure on the Electro's used so I think I'll take Marc's advise on that and replace with 500V jobs...it using a 5Y3 rec so guess its running at 325V.

Anyway My aim is to get to some meets..be good I think.

Anyway My aim is to get to some meets..be good I think.

NSW Branch President resides at Terrigal. You should get a lift down with him ... but I think you'll need to be an early riser.

Yeah GTC I believe so from what I was told that he was at Terrigal

Actually Haven't heard back from them or Syd of the Valve Bank...been hectic here so haven't followed it up as yet

Anyway Thanks GTC

The "head office" in VIC is sometimes slow to respond. It's membership renewal time so perhaps they are concentrating on that. Nonetheless, I would follow up.

Thanks GTC I intent to, and yeah I kinda figure I'd hit them right about renewal time so I'll email them & see how I go

Just on the 5 knob Bee there is another on Ebay which really has got me curios now if there was someone doing after market mods

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bakelite-Beehive-Radio-/251587111080?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a93c2a8a8.

Wonder were this ones going to land??? ...case looks good so worth it just for that (top and lurvers) but still amazing how many are after bees...thought those sellers that wont ship either dont sell or get peanuts for them...anyway we will know by tomorrow night

Cheers

Where ever it lands, I think it is inevitable that it would need to go to one of the skilled Bakelite restorers to have that fifth control removed and patched with like-coloured material. The historical value of the set could never be the same with the extra control there drilled right through the badge.

I got my only Beehive about six months ago and it is in mint condition fortunately. The vulnerable spots on these radios are the dial glass, because it faces up and is exposed to things being dropped on it; the four body rings, if the serviceman does up the four clamping screws up too tight and breaks one; and the badge, the further the colour of thermoplastics steer away from black, the higher the sensitivity to UV light and thus fading, crazing and breakdown.

Examples of this set that survive all this and are electrically restored are worth in excess of $350 I think.

Glad you got one in mint makes me happy to hear that, kinda had to find lest on Ebay and yep mostly any well restored ones on ebay are now fetching around $300 and up

Does worry me a bit as they all seem to use a uniquely Oz valve the 6G8-G which may mean as time goes on they need to be modified for something else...dont know how available those are here but seem to be none existent as would wide item

The front end valve changes a bit and the rectifier seems to be only either a 5Y3 or 6X5, the audio is a 6V6 so at lest you can get them very easily and worst case use a new production (not that you'd really want to)

Yes the logos always seem to be stuffed thought there is someone that makes them I believe so that good at least for looks but kinda does rub a little in the authenticity department

Sadly one of my bees had a stuffed case and thought someone repaired it, if it had been me I would have looked for a "skilled Bakelite restorer" not sure what they'd charge but well to me it would be worth it

Oh and what was the case on your one? The dark or the mottled look.

I must send you some photos of the case, restored with your help, Thanks Brad
(thanks to the others here too for theres )
just waiting on a few components from the states

Cheers

Oh and what was the case on your one? The dark or the mottled look.

A bit of both really. The cabinet is dark but it does have a slight pattern in it.

Hi Brad Thanks

Yeah they all seem to have the mottle look but just harder to see it on the dark ones.

Camera can show it either way I noticed...lighter (cause of flash I guess) as was with the damage bee but looks better in real life... as in you dont notice the damage so much or as a more uniform looking colour as with the second one above.

Anyway taking the good tip from Marc I am waiting on an insulation tester before I go further with the bees the second one's transformer is in worse shape and will need to have the leads redone

Pity they didn't have these on tabs but thats life...thought I might be able to do some transformer surgery..maybe

Cheers...