I would like to swap for a Radiogram.

Vintage retro 'The Fisk' Radiloa radio console, 1940 - 41. The console has been in storage for almost 60 years.

H: 890mm x W: 610mm

I have plugged the Radiola in and it works. The lights on the tuning dial come on and there's an untuned humming sound from the speaker. I have not tried to tune it in as the tuning dial needs reconnecting to the tuning wheel (very easy for someone that fixes these things).

Email for pics.

The Fisk is much sought after by collectors, so don't give it away unless you are offered a pretty good radiogram in exchange. If I was in Melbourne I would rush out and buy a radiogram then offer it to you in exchange for the console.

Maven

In storage for 60 years you don't turn it on,
and the humming sound is it breaking.
So stop turning it on

Thanks for the advice Art!

Maven, I've had it on gumtree for 2 weeks now and not one reply. It's a great peice.

This is about the first thing I read on vintage radio, just not from the same link (and 50Hz for our country) : http://blog.kf7lze.net/2011/03/05/fixing-60hz-hum-on-antique-radios/.

It's just that what you're saying in your add doesn't sound too great.

It's probably nothing too bad if you powered for a short time.
It want's the few big electrolytic capacitors around the power transformer replaced at least.

I'd also be jumping on that. I can't believe you'd let it go so easily after that time.

These things do not Hum because they have forgotten the words.

The electrolytics, if wet type, by the sound of it have ceased to work. These are also known to lose their "form", insulation layer and often polarity and can present as a short circuit.

Many early sets used a wax paper type Filter cap. Wax papers always leaked current, but are non polarised and do not suffer the same issues as the electrolytic.

The leaking paper caps & electrolytic's (if fitted)can cause hum, overloading & other problems, if they load down the transformer, with their leakage.

Not a set I would have done that too: Not good practice.

Marc

Airwaves:

QUOTE: I've had it on gumtree for 2 weeks now and not one reply.

An item like this is more attractive to a collector with technical interests, rather than style-conscious collectors. The 1940s utilitarian designs are less favoured at the moment than the more decorated designs of the 1930s and the fancy bakelite era.

Compare a weird Peter Pan Snail bakelite mantel that is being pushed up above $1800 on ebay at the moment.

Meanwhile a technically superior item, a Grundig radiogram going in Sydney with a cleanly functional lowboy timber cabinet design and only local pickup offered, didn't attract even $5 starting bid.

Maven

I've been watching that Peter Pan too. Spewing that it is just about out of my bidding range now. It will shoot towards $3,000.00 in the last few minutes if the history on bidding on blue radios is anything to go by.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

The Fisk Radiola has gone to a new home in a vintage store. I acquired a 1964 Kingsley radiogram. It needs restoration. Anyone interested in restoring this piece?

Pics available.

I just love Radiograms (sic) especially turntables. As I expected, the Grundig a/WE apart from asbestos has the normal mechanical issues with turntables. No one services them & the oil & grease dries out.

PIB with this one (Philips turntable re badged) is that the motor was so dry that the motor had locked up. At least not as bad as some BSR's. Let them dry out & the spindle bearing electrolytically welds to the platter.

If there is any remnant grease, it has to be cleaned off/ out, dissimilar branded (Shell, Caltex), or based, grease's should not be mixed, as there may be a reaction and the soap solidify.

I was trying to have a year fee of them (fail). They do gobble up space.

Marc

[The Peter Pan snail] will shoot towards $3,000.00 in the last few minutes if the history on bidding on blue radios is anything to go by.

Yep, it sold for $3,061.50

I believe I caught a glimpse of a brown Peter Pan of same case design as a prop in tonight's episode of the Miss Fisher Murder Mystery. If anyone sees the replay, it is in an early scene with the two regular police characters in their Melbourne HQ, while Miss Fisher is off at some alpine resort (looked a bit like Montsalvat as I recall it). There are lots of anachronisms in that style-heavy show - the Peter Pan would be at least ten years too modern for the story period.

Most episodes show at least one vintage radio - mostly more appropriate '30s models.

Maven

A screenshot would be good too. In the following link there is a screenshot of a Mullard Meteor in Prisoner.

http://vintage-radio.com.au/default.asp?t=73.

And in the next link we have a discussion about radios appearing in a documentary about Howard Florey, the bloke that was on the paper $50 note.

http://vintage-radio.com.au/default.asp?f=1&th=535.

If that blue Peter Pan had gone off a week later I would have had a better chance of winning it.

Other shows I've seen old radios in were Get Smart and The Dukes of Hazzard.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

A green Astor Mickey "breadloaf" went recently on eBay for $3061. I saw a blue one of these that passed in at a HRSA auction in Sydney 20 odd years ago - probably would go for a similar to that recently seen for blue radios based on the price for the green one.