Item # 6570463702
I wondered if someone would outbid me. I was the first "real bidder" with $1.58. The first bidder is clearly a friend of the seller or the seller's alternate account. One can tell this by the purchase historys of the seller and the first bidder. I was expecting someone to bring it up here as I have seen the gentlemen in this forum work together so as not to raise the bids too high. Seems to me we should work together to preserve the sets without wasting precious rebuilding funds. I just noticed that Polaraman bid it up to $51.00 and no surprise to me, the reserve is not met. It has several days left and I believe it is usually best to bid in the last moments of the auction. I was surprised Polarman bid as I thought he is up north of Florida. The set is near me in Miami. I understand the sets value is debateable but I see it has had humid air damage as evident by the turntable. Also, the photo makes it look suspiciously close to the wall on the porch it is shown on. The seller says it needs a new screen. Those two factors make me wonder if the CRT neck has been broken. The seller has the remote under the control panel door which may put indents in the lid and damage the hand unit if the door/lid is pushed down. I think the color/cabinet design is one of the ugliest but I have been trying to get a home entertainment center. I wish it were the Danish-Contemporary version!
It will be interesting to see what happens. I think we should decide who amoungst us should have it and then agree not to outbid one another. His reserve is likely to be too high and he is cheating us with his fake bids.
Have a nice day!

Also, the photo makes it look suspiciously close to the wall on the porch it is shown on. The seller says it needs a new screen. Those two factors make me wonder if the CRT neck has been broken.

Yikes! :yikes: I dont think there was a roundie made that can go that close to the wall. Those RCA crt cups are about 8 inches, no? Even with the back off, it seems like it couldnt go that close.

John

My 10 with the remote is a very 'deep' set and I measured the back crt thingy and it is only 4 inches deep. Maybe this here set is deep too since it has those sliding top doors built into it. The pics show the feet at least that far from the wall to my eyes anyway but who knows for sure unless you ask the guy. At least ask him if the back cover is still there, then you know the pics were deceiving. If it really had no cover and snapped neck, why wouldn't he just shove it right up against the wall.

This set does not have sliding doors, only the usual top lids for phono, etc. I know the plastic CRT cup on it's back is the most common big one used on all those RCA's around that time because I saw a photo of the back of an identical set with a blonde cabinet in an earlier post here. The blonde one is a '65 but the same cabinet. I had planned on asking him about it but I thought if I got it cheap enough it wouldn't matter. Now that the price is jacked-up it matters! I see your point about him not putting it closer to the wall but sometimes that cup may be hanging on by one tab if it was "bumped". I'd guess the CRT may be ok but it may be busted. I should have asked to have him to be careful with it but I didn't want to seem "too interested" too soon. Plus, I already wrote him immediately when I saw it was outside and asked him to cover it. He said he took it back inside.

as close as the set appears to be to the wall the crt and cup are busted off/pushed in.
ask for a rear pic.
if the crt is good its a bonus as that appears to be one of the rare black matrix replacements.note the light gray of the screen.

Beautiful looking set, but I would bet money that the CRT is busted. Look at the screen, and notice how there is a lighter "swirl" pattern in the center. I've seen enough busted CRT's in my time and that is a dead giveaway. Also I am concerned on why the turntable board is so rusty. That cabinet sure is beautiful tho!!! Here's the link if anyone wants to look at the pictures. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6570463702&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fws%2Fsearch %2FSaleSearch%3Fsofocus%3Dbs%26satitle%3D657046370 2%26sacat%3D-1%2526catref%253DC5%26amp%253Bsspagename%3Dh%253Ah %253Aadvsearch%253AUS%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy%26p fid%3D0%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26fcl%3D3%26frpp %3D50%26fvi%3D1

I did bid on it. I did that before this thread started. It is in my range to get the set if won. I saw the low bids and decided to go for it. I got a CTC 11 out of Tampa a few weeks ago. I will not bid over what I already have. I did not see it here and thought nobody saw it. Nice set. Hope you get it.


polaraman

I will ask him to post a rear photo and ask if he thinks the neck is broken. I got a funny feeling it is. In a about a month I will have a greater budget but at this time I am spending my limit on another set so I can't take this '64 if it goes any higher in price as I also have to rent a U-haul to get it. I imagine this seller could have a very high reserve and with his friend bidding it up I am not going to bid more than the $51.00 it is at now. Maybe I will bid $52.58(I put .58 usually cause it's the year my dad graduated and more than .50) just to outbid Polaraman if we all continue to let me take the set. I think I should wait til last minute to bid. Maybe the seller will relist it if reserve is not met, maybe he will allow the highest bidder to take it even if the reserve is not met. I would love to have the set but it would also be cool if Polaraman gets it. If I get it I will post all photos of set interior, etc. throughout the restoration. Then I would use it until I get a Danish-Contemporary version or an armoire RCA home entertainment center from about '68 because the brochure states: "Amplifier in Armoire models delivers an awsome 300 watts peak power with extremely smooth frequency response from 30 to 20,000 cps. Amplifier rating in lowboy models is 120 watts peak power with frequency response of 35 to 20,000 cps." The lowboys look the best to me and the armoire is not good-looking to me but I love great sound! Also, the TV control area on those models is neat looking having that tall door to cover the tuner knobs, etc(CTC-30?). So, then I would sell the restored '64 at a low price.

All I remember about these big guys is that they weigh a ton! we had to deliver one of the beauties up three flights of stairs and it took 5 guys to manuver it to the top

I had to pass on a Maggie roundie combo once. I could not lift one end to the height of my truck bed. There were only ladies running the estate sale. I could not get anybody to help once they felt how heavy it was. :sigh:

I agree that those sets are monsters.


polaraman

Wow, That set must have been heavy to pass it up! I am strong but small and for two other men to speak of those things being that heavy has me thinking I may have to remove the components and CRT to lift it! I lifted one end of a '67 Mark I Deluxe "Sebastian" HH-872 lowboy home entertainment center when I was 14 and helped take it from the van to the living room. I was smaller and weaker than I am now. That was supposedly an extremely heavy combo but you guys are giving me the impression this roundie combo is even heavier! If I get it I will figure out a way.

I dunno, guys-let's be positive-maybe it's just cataracts...Too pretty of a set to let go to Le Dumpe.-Sandy G.

If you get it, take it apart!


polaraman

I dunno, guys-let's be positive-maybe it's just cataracts...Too pretty of a set to let go to Le Dumpe.-Sandy G.

Yeah I've seen lots of pics of sets with just cataracts that looked just like that and a LOT worse than those little fuzzy pictures there, maybe some of it is just partially due to reflections as it was taken outdoors. Maybe if it was a better pic I could concur it's something else. It was mentioned this is a black matrix tube but wow, sure just looks like same old grey color of all the other tubes to me. Besides, could a newish black matrix tube even GET a cataract? Did they still have the same old faceplates and 'goop' holding them on at that point in time?
I could say maybe I need new glasses but I just bought 3 pair of them last week 8 )

I'm with you frenchy, I think that cherry be popped.

I think this model is called the "Antoinette." Nice set. The lack of space between the cabinet and wall was a good observation. It kinda sucks when someone fails to mention the neck of the CRT is missing! Those little details are nice to know! Hopefully, it will turn out to be an optical illusion.

Maybe there's a hole in the wall behind the set.

-Steve D.

Well the aution ended with the seller's friend as the highest bidder without meeting the reserve which I suspect is higher than most of us would think is justified considering the various negatives. Just moving the set being one of them! The buyer wrote me and said he will relist it and like me here in Boca Raton he is dealing with hurricane aftermath. I have not had electricity for 5 days! Ofcoarse the millionaires all had power days ago. I live in the servant's quarters section. I am at a shopping mall computer store thanks to IMac.
I am still going to try to get this '64 RCA unless any of you here wish to pay more than I can afford as I mentioned before I am purchasing another set from one of our great members here and the shipping is $427.00! Plus hurrricane damage is costing me too.
My plan for the '64 is to wait for the seller to relist it and I will bid very low and hope nobody else outbids me. Then, hopefully, the seller will run out of time and let the set go as he is a real estate person who aquired the set when he purchased the house you see in the photo. He rebuilds houses and resells making mucho denero so, considering that, on top of his shady dealing, I feel I should counter his actions with extreme care so as not to get ripped off!
Now I am off to my place without electricity. They say we will have it by Nov. 28. I am sure it will be sooner but it is very wierd to live like this. I look across the street at the wealthy peoples' homes having lights, TV, hot water, ice, etc. and imagine a normal healthy lifestyle. I guess I'd better buy some self-help books and figure out what I need to do to become rich!
John

I love coming to florida to visit. Going to john folsoms' place is like the smithsonian, only much better exhibits and host. i spent a lifetime in stuart in 1999 wiring golfcourse retirement homes. back then the marshes all around us and st. lucie were on fire! i hi-tailed it back to virginny. i've got nothing at all against fla., i'm just too much of an entrenched upper east coast person - theres more of us poor people, er i mean working class stiffs around - safety in numbers. plus it makes those ny scavanger hunts more economical. now the weather is cooling off (and the hurricane season nearing its official end) i think a trip south is drawing near. i do miss my friends down there - emails and phone calls just ain't the end all - plus i got an uncle in vero who's a hoot to hang with.

---

The Combo has been relisted with a starting price of $1.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/1964-RCA-Victor-Home-Ent-Center-TV-Radio-Phono_W0QQitemZ6574156253QQcategoryZ29833QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem
As of this posting there are 8 days left

Notice that the seller mentions "This unit could be restored with a new TV screen and could be a classic." Perhaps this is a hint that the crt is damaged?

Notice that the seller mentions "This unit could be restored with a new TV screen and could be a classic." Perhaps this is a hint that the crt is damaged?

Nah I'd have to bet he's basing that on that bad cataract, i.e., 'screen'. And doubt the average Joe would know that that could be remedied short of a new tube. But the neck could be snapped and he doesn't even know it, who knows.

Since he states it cost $1100 when new, he probably wants half that and thinks it's a good deal!

Looking at the picture I can see what looks like damage to the screen consistent with moisture entering a broken CRT & not cataracts as was so common with bonded faceplate CRT's in the 60's & early 70's, I can only hope that the deflection & convergence coils are still there.

Does anyone know that the reserve on the set is?

I would proberly go anyware around $50 - $75 & no more for the set knowing full well it will need a CRT, I just hope the cabinet & the electronics are in good condition, Although the record changer looks like it has surface rust on it & I would like to see the condition of the chassis before parting with ones money

Daro, He does state that the tuner and turntable(phono) are in working condition and "sounds good."

I wrote the seller and asked if the back plastic cup was damaged and asked for a photo. He wrote back and said it looked fine but did not send or post a photo. I bid $3.58 so far.

Since he states it cost $1100 when new, he probably wants half that and thinks it's a good deal!

I have met people who think that way!

Tell him he's dreaming....

I wanted to get this here sooner but life makes me take too long.
I guess it was sometime before the big hurricane here that I found this on eBay. I probably should have let Polaraman have it but he was nice enough to allow me to get it. I should spend my life on more constructive things but I just had to have it! I also had to have the '72 CTC-54 h.e.center that could have killed my friend and I, and a '68 Motorola that cost alot of money to me in shipping fees but now I will only take something if nobody else wants it. If I find an investor I will warehouse all the old sets I can find but that's another story. So, the man did relist the set and I was high bidder at like $1.00. I got a response through email and I wrote that I would pay more than the dollar and I tired to use negotiating skills hoping he would let it go cheap. Then his eBay account went bad for some reason and I could not get in touch with him. I thought I disappointed him moneywise and thought I had likely sent that set to the dumps trying to save money. I got worried thinking he is probably a rich guy and doesn't want to meet someone to take the set if he doesn't get like a $100. for his time. I imagine many people would much sooner send it to the dumps rather than bother for a few dollars. Especially here in south Florida were even the poor people look down on you and treat you rudely if they suspect you are not rich. Having things that are not known to be very expensive or even talking about stuff that is not new and in fashion is considered to be a dead give-away here! That sounds exaggerated but is basically very true. I tried to contact his previous customers to find him and sent emails that would not go through. Surprisingly to me he called me sometime in Oct and I thought he had had a reserve of $75. but somehow I picked up that he wanted a $100. and at that point I did not care because I wanted to get that set! So, I put a couple used tires on my '74 Toronado(it has new Firestones now!), rented a 4'x10' Uhaul box with a no-spring suspension. I had a tight budget or I would have rented a van. I am near Ft. Lauderdale. The set was close to Avon Park which is a bit south of Orlando. I got there and was surprised to see such a large neighborhood of '50's homes that were well kept and mostly original. The set's house(built in '59) was across the street from and facing a fair-sized lake. It still has it's working, pale yellow GE appliances and other neat old stuff like a small Wurlitzer organ. We believe the set was not used since '73 when the owner died. The house has been unused since then. However the man I got it from had plugged it in and tubes light but nothing else. When I walked in and saw the set I was very impressed even though the cabinets finish has many varnish cracks and flaked-off areas. Most of the original paperwork was there like the hang-tag, manual, etc. I was unable to utter negotiating skills and handed the $100. cash. He was a very cool guy and later gave me back $25. for the Uhaul I rented. I think he felt sorry for me. I was not trying to get sympathy. I later realized from things he said that if I had negotiated he would have taken $25. or given it for free. The CRT and set back were not damaged afterall. The catarcs go all through the entire screen. I am sure it's the original 21FJP22N. The fly looks original too and I wonder if it is bad. I bet it wont last long if it is not bad since it is that original type. The horiz cent control is burned pretty good and I bet it happened when the set was given power not long before I got it. I tried the set when I got it and the tubes light but nothing else. I had used a long extension cord thinking maybe it would ease the power a bit. When power is applied the CRT filaments seem to be to bright at first but immediately go to normal glow. I seem to remember that is normal. Is it? I hope I did not stress that CRT! Southernman has a horiz cent pot I can use. I am guessing that the pot had moisture over the years caused it to have poor contact and so it overheated to burn point when the man recently turned it on before I got it. Would you guys agree or is it more likely some other component caused the pot to overheat and burn? Thanks, John

Congratulations, I'm glad you finally got it!

I wouldn't be that concerned about that original flyback, not yet anyway. Its probably fine. The important thing is to make sure the horizontal output current is low enough. Some sets ran for years on those original rca flybacks. Mine did. It has a bazillion hours on it. I am of course looking for a spare, but after all these years it would kind of surprise me if the original burned up.

You were supposed to check the HO current whenever you changed a HO tube. That was probably true for other tubes in the horizontal and HV also. They're kind of like a transmitter, if theyre out of tune, they draw too much current and run hot. I dont ever remember guys checking this years ago. I wonder how many of those old flybacks failed just because the proper adjustments were not made? I'll bet it was a lot of them.

John

Including of the radio, anmp and that "chassis on the right" ( I assume it is a remote chassis or amp).

AND-- if you ever decide you want to get rid of that ctc-54 combo, I would gladly take it off of your hands........ Now... getting there from here. Well, I'll cross that bridge if it comes.

Some pics. of ther ctc 54 combo would be nice, too. Especially a rear shot of the tv chassis and amp cahssis (there are 2 IIRC).

Thanks John. That info gives me some hope. I remember hearing of that procedure but I had forgotten it.



Hi, Jack S. I will be posting photos of the CTC-54 soon. If I decide to get rid of it I will keep you in mind. I do like it alot so far. I use the stereo but have many little details to take care of as I like stuff to be as close to original as possible. I added a couple more of this '63 to the previous post.

I expect this set is far too extravegant for Aunt B's modest taste but it looks like it belongs in her house in the '67 color episodes.
I still don't like the cabinet one bit and if I can find a cool looking '64 RCA optional cabinet I would like to transfer the guts. Anybody got a cabinet?


Is it normal on this CTC-15 for the CRT filaments to start out very bright and immediately go to normal when power is first on? I have not seen one of these in person since I was a kid around '80. I think it is but would like another opinion before I turn it back on to try to test the fly.
Thanks, John

Is it normal on this CTC-15 for the CRT filaments to start out very bright and immediately go to normal when power is first on? I have not seen one of these in person since I was a kid around '80. I think it is but would like another opinion before I turn it back on to try to test the fly.
Thanks, John

I don't know, but I'll try it and report back the next time I am where the set is (probably tomorrow). On the other hand, mine has just been regunned by Hawkeye, so it may no longer have RCA filaments.....

You could hang a meter (preferably analog) across the filament and see how high the AC voltage gets when you turn it on. The filament is floating at probably about 200v DC above chassis ground, by the way.

John

Mine doesnt flash. The voltage does spike up to 8.5-9.0 AC volts on turn on, but for a very short period of time. It's so short, the DVM has to be pretty quick to see it. A fluke 8060a sees it in the first sample. My cheapie DVM doesnt see it at all, and neither does the VTVM.

John