Cute '39 RCA "Little Nipper" 9TX-33

[decojoe67]

I hesitated getting this little deco set because it had what looked like a very faded worn finish and the seller said that although it had been recapped, it stopped playing. I went for it and not only did the cabinet refresh to a beautiful sheen, but the after a little fiddling with the chassis it worked perfectly! Not a bad little player too. This model shares the same chassis as the famous '39 Worlds Fair models and is only about 9/12" long and weighs about 5lbs.

[MadMan]

Noice.

[Titan1a]

Tastefully done.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Titan1a

Tastefully done.

Thanks. My trick is to rub in some stain before using Howards Restore-A-Finish. Also, after the beeswax application, I mist some furniture polish on cheesecloth and buff to a nice glassy shine. It lasts for a while too!

[maxhifi]

That's a very attractive late 30s radio, great find.

[bgadow]

Wow, never seen that one! A magic time in the radio business.

[Tubejunke]

I've never seen one of those either. Just when you think you've seen it all!

[Celt]

Excellent!

[decojoe67]

Thanks guys. I should've put something in the picture to show how small it is. That's the most appealing thing about it. The little ribbed knobs require you to use your fingertips. I like that it has a lit dial too. RCA actually made a whole slew of plastic and wood "Little Nipper" models at this time.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

Thanks guys. I should've put something in the picture to show how small it is. That's the most appealing thing about it. The little ribbed knobs require you to use your fingertips. I like that it has a lit dial too. RCA actually made a whole slew of plastic and wood "Little Nipper" models at this time.

Great find! I have never seen that model. I have what is likely the most common model, in brown bakelite, with two tiny knobs. Like this:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_45x1_1.html

Very compact design for a AA5 using octal tubes, mine measures about 8.5"x 5"x4", not counting the knob depth. The tiny Knobs are a little over 1/2" in diameter. Decent playing little set and soooo cute.

The Smithsonian site shows a SW version with direct tuning knob:

https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/i...hn-vassos-8191

All are very desirable.

jr

[Tubejunke]

I think I have the same one that jr tech has. I used to think that the tube heat would be too much for the case, but it does just fine. Not beautiful, but very interesting.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

I think I have the same one that jr tech has. I used to think that the tube heat would be too much for the case, but it does just fine. Not beautiful, but very interesting.

I've found that certain vintage radios and TV's that may not necessary impress in a photo look awesome in person due to their size. As is the case with this RCA, if it was a standard sized tabletop it would be rather plain, but when you see this little set in person, in which you can easily grasp and pick-up with one hand, it becomes so appealing! Amazing how it survived all these years with very little signs of wear being it was likely a child's radio!

[electronjohn]

That's pretty nifty!

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Great find! I have never seen that model. I have what is likely the most common model, in brown bakelite, with two tiny knobs. Like this:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_45x1_1.html

Very compact design for a AA5 using octal tubes, mine measures about 8.5"x 5"x4", not counting the knob depth. The tiny Knobs are a little over 1/2" in diameter. Decent playing little set and soooo cute.

The Smithsonian site shows a SW version with direct tuning knob:

https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/i...hn-vassos-8191

All are very desirable.

jr

Can't get the picture but the SW version with the direct tuning was built by Detrola, for RCA. All metal tubes and a line-cord resistor.
The radio shown, must be one of the first to use the 150ma tube series.
The earlier run of the Little Nipper series used 300ma tubes and a line-cord resistor. Some used a 6A8 converter tube. That model was RCA built.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

Can't get the picture but the SW version with the direct tuning was built by Detrola, for RCA. All metal tubes and a line-cord resistor.
The radio shown, must be one of the first to use the 150ma tube series.
The earlier run of the Little Nipper series used 300ma tubes and a line-cord resistor. Some used a 6A8 converter tube. That model was RCA built.

There's another rather rough (and pricey) one on eBay now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-RCA-9TX...sAAOSwKfVXF~km