RCA CTC16 available for $95 *Might Work*

[julianburke]

I had to go down to the east coast of Florida to Miami for the past 10 days and I always try to hit all of the thrift stores etc while I'm there. While coming back up I-75 on the northern part, there is a flea market called Smiley's. Smiley’s Antique Mall is located on I-75 (exit 374) at C.R. 234 in Micanopy, Florida. There is a RCA CTC16 Roundie (with catarac) in a cheapy plain dark wood cabinet priced at $95. It is all there, pretty good shape with all knobs and rabbit ears! I didn't ask or try it to see if it worked to any degree but it might if rabbit ears are there connected to it. I got there today at 5:30 pm, they close at 6 and chased everyone out at 5:45 pm.

If anyone is interested, it is as you walk in the front door in the right rear corner booth of this market.

[bluenorm]

Micanopy? about 20 hours from NYC.

[joemama99]

I am going to try and get that set this weekend.If anyone else wants it please let me know,as it is a three hour drive.

[julianburke]

Three hour drive? Isn't that what happened on Giligan's boat tour?? No wait, that was a three hour cruise!!

Let me know how you fare. It is in the furthermost right rear corner booth in this building.

[AUdubon5425]

8 hours from me - too far to go right now. Good luck and I hope you get it!

[joemama99]

I GOT IT!!!!
Drove up to near Gainesville today and there it sat-just like Julianburke said.The vendor wasn"t there but the girl said that she thought it worked.They offered to plug it in for me,but I wouldn't let them.I loaded it into the back seat of my convertible with the top down,and drove it back to Sebring where I live.It is still in the car due to no help to unload it,but I did get the back off.Much to my surprise,it has a ctc 20 chassis.I didn't think that chassis was used with a round tube.Everything is there and in good shape.The crt has good emission on all three guns.It is an rca hilite tube and has a 19bap22 number,even though the tube chart calls for a 21f tube.The rca logo on the tube is the more modern block letter design so I think this one
is a replacement.
After 2 years of searching,I finally found a roundie in Florida!!!Thanks so much Julianburke for the heads up.I will keep you all posted on my progress with my new-old set.

[jstout66]

Cool that you got it!!!!! I bet it won't take much if any work to get it going. I've never seen a CTC-20,and always thought the CTC-16 was the last roundie for RCA, but it was the CTC-20 which would put it around 1966-67. Can't wait to see pix and read of your progress!

[Tony V]

If i'm not mistaken, those newer replacement roundie crt's with the 19 inch designation are black matrix tubes. It should produce a really nice picture!
-Tony

[julianburke]

Joemama,

I very glad that you got it and feel better that it ended up into good hands for you to love & cherish from now on! I thought that it looked slightly different than a "regular" CTC16 but wasn't sure. This would have to make it the very last roundie set RCA produced. Most likely RCA made it to use up existing parts inventory as Sarnoff didn't like to throw out anything like other manufacturers would do. Again, they did this with the CTC39 in 1974-5 model years in that it was an all tube chassis that was 5 model years later into the solid state XL100's. Even earlier as WWII ended and as Uncle Sam gave the go ahead to resume manufacturing, they did this in 1946 with the 621TS which was a prewar and used up existing inventory to get them (RCA) instantly back into the TV business until they could set up and resume manufacturing new models that they couldn't do during the war. I have heard two versions of this 621TS story, one saying the production run was 3 weeks and another said 4-it wasn't long.

A CTC20 is a very rare and scarce set, (I never saw any in Tennessee) most likely wasn't produced but for a few weeks to use up inventory and also was likely sold regionally meaning possibly sold only in tire & furniture (and like stores) at a low price where more expensive RCA units were not moving well. This would also explain the bottom of the line (inexpensive) wood and black metal cabinets. I know of no '20's in high grade cabinets. Has anyone else seen any in better cabinets?

I liked that roundie and had plenty of room on my truck to bring it back but it would end up in my warehouse and I have well over 30 or so of these sets. I sort of knew someone might rescue it after my posting. Congrats on your first roundie and that you got a nice one as well! Let us know how it turns out.

Julian Burke

[andy]

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[joemama99]

It does work!!
Brought it up on a variac today,and it does work.Seems to have an agc problem ,but still produces a fairly good picture.I intend to do a full restore,so any tips would be appreciated-this is my first one .Will also need to take care of that cataract.I know I am really going to enjoy this!

[julianburke]

Originally Posted by joemama99

It does work!!
Brought it up on a variac today,and it does work.Seems to have an agc problem ,but still produces a fairly good picture.I intend to do a full restore,so any tips would be appreciated-this is my first one .Will also need to take care of that cataract.I know I am really going to enjoy this!

It still looks like a CTC16 from the front. I still believe RCA used up existing inventory.

[zenithfan1]

Awesome! I'm glad you finally found a roundie! I know you've been looking for a long time. Way to go Joe! I am happy for you. That thing will clean up and work like new, the picture is sharp, too bad you have to disturb everything to get rid of the cataract but it will be worth it and fun too.

[Keith Park]

Hi,

I have a CTC 20 in a Karlstad cabinet that my father bought new in 66...
chassis is actually stamped CTC 20C

Still works, have to swap out the CRT though with one that doesnt have the cataract.

Keith

[zenithfan1]

Welcome to AK Keith! Why not start a thread about your set, I would like to see it. Do a cataract removal on the old tube and re-use it if it's still strong.