Motorola 7VT1 or Frankenset ?

[decojoe67]

Very interesting Bob! So glad to see it is indeed factory as far as the configuration. it must've been the last wooden 7" VT-71 before the 8" model in '50.
I think it's a great idea to keep it as a period folk-art piece. I would stipple in all the chippy spots, put on a matched set of knobs, replace the Motorola logo in front, and leave it as a conversation piece. Those decals are very cool. Good luck getting it back in shape.

[Eric H]

Is it odd that the factory service manual shows this set when in actual practice nearly all the VT-71 sets were the regular rectangular mask?

It also lists the TS18 chassis, which I would assume came later in production but wouldn't the service manual have been prepared early on in the process?

Is there a revision date on that manual? Maybe these were made near the end of production to use up left over cabinets and masks?

And about that metal bottom, I seem to recall when I was fixing my first VT71 I had a bottom cover with no holes in it, I remember because I was planning to drill them but then managed to get the correct cover. Don't know if I still have it.

[bandersen]

There is a separate VT71 service manual that shows the two models with rectangular masks.

https://images.app.goo.gl/ppFCkTrScxoRpvjR8

Nope, no date I admit I was wrong about the chassis pan and the holes. It seems that later production models didn't have them.

I'll check the database I've been maintaining of serial numbers, versions and production dates and see if that lends any clues.

Was just sent evidence of a "K" TS-4 revision. I thought that "J" was the last? It also has cream knobs but those might have come from a VT73 portable or a radio?

Very confusing and the factory using up odds and ends makes the most sense

[Kevin Kuehn]

The fact that this set has no individual tuner slugs suggests that it really is the later TS-18 chassis. So I think the factory mistakenly slapped a left over TS-4 chassis label on the cabinet bottom. Serial numbers could verify, although since this was a new model they may not have stayed consecutive from where the last TS-4 run left off.

[bandersen]

A few more photos for you all. Yes, it is a TS-18 chassis serial # 309956. That was pretty early in the TS-18 production run. The earliest TS-18 I've seen is 301795. No dates stamped anywhere.

It had all what appear to be period correct and matching back screws and feet.


The CRT and masked slipped during shipping but do fit well once seated properly.

[bandersen]

I pulled up this list of Motorola models from a Wallace Teleaide.



As far as I know....

7VT1 = potentially this set ? Interesting they only show it with a TS-18 chassis. Perhaps indicating it wasn't made for long.
7VT2 = black bakelite
7VT2W = ??? ( a white painted bakelite set? never seen or heard of one, but would look pretty cool)
7VT3 = brown bakelite
7VT5B = brown tolex suitcase
7VT5R = red tolex suitcase

9L1 = 8" suitcase
9T1 = 8" bakelite
9VT1 = 8" wood cabinet

[Eric H]

You have to wonder if Motorola was using up some leftover parts at the end of the run, perhaps they had some extra masks from the 7VT5 series and modified the VT71 cabinet to use them?

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by bandersen

I pulled up this list of Motorola models from a Wallace Teleaide.



As far as I know....

7VT1 = potentially this set ? Interesting they only show it with a TS-18 chassis. Perhaps indicating it wasn't made for long.
7VT2 = black bakelite
7VT2W = ??? ( a white painted bakelite set? never seen or heard of one, but would look pretty cool)
7VT3 = brown bakelite
7VT5B = brown tolex suitcase
7VT5R = red tolex suitcase

9L1 = 8" suitcase
9T1 = 8" bakelite
9VT1 = 8" wood cabinet

I saw one photo of a white painted 7VT2W in a trade magazine. They showed it in the kitchen with a woman watching a cooking show. I've absolutely never saw an original one existing. Of course a clone could be made maybe with one that needs cabinet repair.

[bandersen]

I just stumbled across this thread from a few years ago and it sure looks like there is a 7VT1 in the upper left.

I see that I was skeptical at the time, but now I'm thinking it's the real deal as is my set.

https://www.antiqueradios.com/forums...p?f=3&t=249451

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by bandersen

I was just stumbled across this thread from a few years ago and it sure looks like there is a 7VT1 in the upper left.

I see that I was skeptical at the time, but now I'm thinking it's the real deal as is my set.

https://www.antiqueradios.com/forums...p?f=3&t=249451

That looks like a nice one too. The look is a refreshing change from the typical VT-71. I'm just surprised at how few of them are seen.

[bandersen]

Here it is for posterity. I wonder if that gold channel selector is correct or did it come from a 7VT2 ? Mine came with a red knob.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Here it is for posterity. I wonder if that gold channel selector is correct or did it come from a 7VT2 ? Mine came with a red knob.

Just for how it clashes with the set, I surely would say the gold knob is incorrect. I'm even surprised about the red knob. I would think a full set of brown ones would look proper.