I have a 1969 RCA TV. The model number is GM 675 WX serial number is 32bdm5504. Purchased from Rich's in Atlanta. 23" screen. Color console. Trans Vista Color. Was told it was first (or one of first?) solid state TV. I'm not an eletronics guy, so I have no idea. I think it still works. I can find no info online about this TV, what gives? Having trouble uploading pic of this tv..email if you want one [email protected].

What have I got and what is it worth? Thanks for taking the time to check this out!

ok here's a pic. First file must have been too large

I vote this thread be removed.

I vote this thread be removed.

His motivation for asking for information isn't clear to me yet. If it's solely to resell it, then I'm with you. But, maybe he just likes the set.

John

Did I miss something? If this is offensive to anyone or if I miss understood what this forum is about, I apologize. I thought that this would be a good place to get some info on a TV. If, indeed it is worth something, then I would be intrested in selling it. If a forum on vintage TVs is the wrong place to seek advice on what it is I have and what it might be worth, then again, I am sorry, my bad. Steer me in the right direction and I'll be on my way. However, if you can tell me something about this set, I'd be very greatful.

Thanks again.

Mike

I've read through some recent posts and see that there are some hard feelings about outsiders posting here or doing other things to tweak the collectors. I understand that..looks like I picked a bad time to make my post. I'm not an electronics guy..nor a TV collector, my wife and I have had this TV for over 12 years, it was her mothers. We don't have room for it anymore. I am not looking be a profiteer but I don't want to foolishly get rid of it either. I had hoped to be able to have a friendly discussion with some knowledgable folks about what this TV is and what it might be worth. I am clearly in the right place, as I can tell from reading the forums that the folks here are passionate about their vintage electronics and know what they are talking about. I hope this clears up who I am and what my intentions are..and I still hope to learn a thing or two about this TV.

We don't want to give you the wrong idea about us...it's just all too often someone joins here with the sole purpose of finding out a value for a TV they're trying to sell, makes one or two posts about it and then that's it. They're gone and the set's on eBay or craigslist. And that's not what we're about. What we're all about here is enjoying vintage TVs and the company of others who enjoy them - or help us enjoy the ones we're fixing. We don't measure the value of a TV in dollars. So if that describes you, stick around, make a formal introduction and get some posts under your belt.

Thats a nice set, its a transvista color with a CTC-40 chassis, first mass production solid state color TV by RCA introduced for the 1970 model year. If its in nice shape and working, you should be able to fetch $100 for it on ebay.

We don't want to give you the wrong idea about us...it's just all too often someone joins here with the sole purpose of finding out a value for a TV they're trying to sell, makes one or two posts about it and then that's it. They're gone and the set's on eBay or craigslist. And that's not what we're about. What we're all about here is enjoying vintage TVs and the company of others who enjoy them - or help us enjoy the ones we're fixing. We don't measure the value of a TV in dollars. So if that describes you, stick around, make a formal introduction and get some posts under your belt.

+1.

And, I see a lot of newbie posters over on the Antique Radio Forum wanting to know that there "whatever" is worth. Once they find out that it isn't worth six figures, you never hear from them again.

Now, on to your TV. It will be either a CTC40 (most likely) or a CTC44. The '40 was the first mass produced solid state RCA color set that actually contains one tube (HV rectifier). The '44 is a slightly newer spin-off of the '40 and contains a different HV transformer and a solid state quadrupler for the HV rectifier. They can be a bugger to work on; but, are great performers when working properly.

I don't mean to be a smart butt concerning value; but, my best answer is "whatever someone is willing to pay for it". To the average person on the street, you probably couldn't even give it away as it would be seen as just an "old TV". To a TV collector, you could get anywhere from $5-$50+ (depending on condition). The only catch is that TV collectors of sets of this vintage are still few and far between in comparison to other hobbies; so, finding one near you may be a problem. I'm in MS and the nearest TV collector is VK'er "Audubon5425" in LA. Heck, even most of the old radio collectors that I used to know around here have kicked the bucket.

Whatever you do, please don't trash it or turn it into something besides a TV. It may not be worth much; but, this hobby is not about the money and someone would love to have this set. If you decide to keep and fix it, I'm sure there are people here who would be glad to assist you.

Thank y'all very much! That is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to find out. Personally, I'm into old tractors, chickens, plants....but I figured there were folks out there who are just as into old TV's as I am into my fetishes. I am a pack rat by nature and hate to throw stuff out, my wife is just 180 degrees the other direction, selling stuf has been a meet in the middle point for us. Time has come to do something with this TV..like I said, I held it for 12 years..her mom had it the other 28. If it was up to her we'd have tossed it out when we married. As for the one thread post, and off to craigslist...y'all got me dead to rights..however, when you have an open forum like this and when there is just not alot of specific information on the internet...well, your going to get folks like me popping by from time to time. I understand that they can be a headache and sometimes rude, etc. I hope I have not been. Let me say I am truely greatful for your time and because of this forum I do now know for sure that there are old TV fanatics out there, and I want to be sure this old set ends up with someone who will appreciate it. I never thought that this would be an "antiques road show" find for us, but I knew it wasn't junk either. I hate seeing an old tractor rusting out in a field just as much as y'all hate seeing an old TV used as a bookcase. Thanks for letting my crash you site for a few posts. Maybe I should post it for sale on your forum and avoid craigslist altogether..but I don't wish to wear out my welcome. Thanks again

It seems apologies are in order here. Mike, I obviously jumped the gun earlier when I first read your post. Please accept my sincere apologies.

Although this is no excuse, I will try to explain why I was so quick to draw guns...

Quite often, I get emails from people inquiring about a set they have. I'm sure many others here get the same emails and know what I'm talking about. When folks ask about a set, I spend a generous amount of time giving them as much information as I can and also direct them to sites (this one included) so they may be able to get more info, service, parts, or even local hands-on help. Over the years, some of those folks have become members here on this site... and glad to have recruited them. It's always great to get new faces here.

Many of the emails I get will include, "I've got this set... how much is it worth?"

For a long time, I've answered that particular question as best as I can. I also direct the person to others if they'd like to hear someone else's opinion on a set's value. I still include all the other info I can about the particular set as well as links to sites. Most of the time, I wouldn't get as much as a thank you for those particular emails.

I started to realize that people asking what a set was worth were only interested sticking the set on ebay, and in some cases, people were not happy when I told them their 1965 General Electric might bring 40 bucks at best. As we all know, many models simply aren't worth anything and you almost have to pay someone to take them.

Last year, I spent a good half-hour typing an email to someone about an late-50's RCA 21" b&w set... telling them what to look for, what it would likely need, an average value, and welcomed them to join AK. A few days later, I discovered that set on ebay, and turns out I had basically written the auction for them! They had copied/pasted much of my email into the body of the auction's description. BTW, she had started the bidding way above what I told her... and of course it did not sell.

So Mike (and everyone else), that's why I popped off so quickly about deleting the thread. When someone wants to know what it's worth, it throws up a red flag with me. Looks like I should have waited a bit more.

Again, I apologize, Mike.

BTW... that indeed is a nice RCA. I dig large cabinets!

Also, I agree with Doug on the value. I'd give 100 for it. However, there is a downside to large sets... they can be hard to sell due to size. If you have someone that's in your area interested in it, then great. Some of us will even drive a generous distance depending on the set.

If the set has to be shipped, then it's likely not worth it because the shipping will far exceed what the set is worth. We all run into that problem... we see a set we want for a great price, but it's not worth shipping it across the land.

000

Charlie, No problem! I understand. That someone would use your time, cut and paste your writting, and not so much as thank you for it is just plain wrong. That kinda stuff would make anyone think twice about a similar request. Andy, I think I read that thread..the RCA model 2000? In my research that was the closest thing I could dig up any info on, and reading that thread made me mad, and I'm not a TV guy. Some folks just ain't right. I do want to say again that this site was a big help, and I did learn something, so thanks a million. BTW, Andy the pic you posted of the ad is AWESOME!

Hey buffalolick, nice RCA!

Welcome to the forums. Stick around!

If I weren't in the midst of having to purchase another work vehicle I would have considered it - I've been looking for a particular CTC-40 (the Lundberg) for some time now, but that is a nice model you have. There ought to be someone in the Atlanta area that would love to have that set in their Danish-Modern or "retro" decor.

It looks like a CTC-44, which is now catching on as a collectible somewhat. However, the cash value isn't up there yet. If I had it, I'd try to find a good home for it and not ask any price.

Charles

000

The CTC-40 is a great set-the one you have was among the nicest combos you could buy in '69/70. As others have said, value is very sporadic. If I had to sell it I would list it on the classifieds here and maybe on ARF, and if there was no serious response in a week or so I would go ebay. Start the listing low and if there is interest it will sell. One thing that confuses me about folks posting, looking for a value: why do you need to ask us? Ebay will let you know the value, just give it a week. Never fails!

There have been times when I needed to research something that I know nothing about, and I've had to post to those other forums. Always makes me feel bad 'cause I don't want to feel like I'm just swooping in looking for quick cash. From looking at it that way, it pays to be nice to folks who come hat-in-hand. I posted on some old appliance/vacuum cleaner forums trying to move some NOS parts. Some valuable stuff will end up in the dumpster-I would have given it away-but few would take the time to acknowledge me.

000

That model matches to the Sams for the CTC-40. Every CTC-44 I've seen has a 25V CRT.

In that case, it's even a better find. I only said 44 since it says "Trans Vista Color", which I was connecting with the 44. I think there was a discussion on that last year, and we agreed that the early 40 was the "New Vista Color SS", and the late 40, 44, and 47 were Trans Vista. Off topic, but I wonder if any late 44s were "XL-100", or were they all CTC-46 & newer (upright modular chassis)?

Charles