1959 Sears Suburbanite Blonde Console - Videokarma.org TV - Video

BigDavesTV · #1 01-30-2015, 11:37 AM

This is exactly like the TV that I grew up with! My folks bought it new, shortly before I was born, and it was our only TV, until 1971, when the CRT was too dark and weak to watch! At that time, (1971) my Dad bought our first color tv, a Sears 19" Medalist color on a metal stand. I found this set almost two years ago, recapped the cans, and had it basically working, although it had a constant vertical roll, no vert. sync. Tube swapping didn't help, so I tabled it until last week, after repairing my Sencore SS137, I substituted the Vert. Sync Pulse, and that stabilized the "rolling." Working backwards, I found the culprit, a .0068uF at 600v. cap that was almost open! Replacing that solved my vertical issue, and you can see it now makes a decent picture. I have just a couple more things to do to it, but it's 95 percent.

lnx64 · #2 01-30-2015, 12:04 PM

I thought for a second when reading this, you had found the color set.

***Kamakiri*** · #3 01-31-2015, 05:03 AM

Might be time to just redo all the rest of the caps too......

rcaman · #4 01-31-2015, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamakiri

Might be time to just redo all the rest of the caps too......

i second that..

dishdude · #5 01-31-2015, 03:03 PM

That control panel looks interesting. Is that a backlit tuner on the right side?

Steve D. · #6 01-31-2015, 07:14 PM

Increased the exposure on the photo to show the details of the cabinet.

-Steve D.

dieseljeep · #7 01-31-2015, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dishdude

That control panel looks interesting. Is that a backlit tuner on the right side?

It might be, what they referred as the "Orbit" tuner. It was a large thumbwheel knob. It had a knob, next to it for the fine tuning.
The Suburbanite line was the middle line Sears product, where the Medalist, was the TOTL. Good sets, but not the same calibre as the similar priced, Zenith, RCA or Motorola.

BigDavesTV · #8 02-01-2015, 05:44 PM

This set does have what they call the "Orbit Tuning" as dieseljeep said, of course VHF only. My folks always bought Sears or Wards everything, as far as appliances especially. They both worked, but I'm sure didn't have Zenith or Motorola money to spend. It was a good set for us, for 11 or 12 years, only required a few repairs, until finally the crt was weak and dark. Someday I hope to find a Sears like our first color tv, I'll have to post it's model number, in case someone comes across one. I am going to replace the rest of the coupling caps, I have already replaced the electrolytic caps and I have new diodes to replace the old Selenium rectifiers with. It'll soon be complete! I wonder, I'm guessing that this is a Warwick produced set.

dieseljeep · #9 02-01-2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDavesTV

This set does have what they call the "Orbit Tuning" as dieseljeep said, of course VHF only. My folks always bought Sears or Wards everything, as far as appliances especially. They both worked, but I'm sure didn't have Zenith or Motorola money to spend. It was a good set for us, for 11 or 12 years, only required a few repairs, until finally the crt was weak and dark. Someday I hope to find a Sears like our first color tv, I'll have to post it's model number, in case someone comes across one. I am going to replace the rest of the coupling caps, I have already replaced the electrolytic caps and I have new diodes to replace the old Selenium rectifiers with. It'll soon be complete! I wonder, I'm guessing that this is a Warwick produced set.

I remember the set. It's a Warwick built set. The Suburbanite was usually a two stage IF set, without keyed AGC, where the Medalist was a three stage IF set, with keyed AGC. The earlier models were all voltage doubler, where, the later models, only the Medalist models were.

Gregb · #10 02-01-2015, 07:55 PM

I just received an email from a lady that has what looks to be one of these with a record player for sale. I am hoping to go have a look at it this week sometime.

Gregb

DavGoodlin · #11 02-01-2015, 10:39 PM

The Medalist Dave is referreing to may be one I had once. It had a one-knob tuner and "chromix" control, similar to a sepeia-tint control (versus hue on Motorolas my avatar). There was also a very solid handle and tough back cover with a concentric, round, teacup-shaped CRT boob.

Greg, is it like this one http://reading.craigslist.org/atd/4837407951.html

Gregb · #12 02-02-2015, 12:22 AM

Hi Dave:
She sent me a picture which is below, I am going there to see it tomorrow evening.

Gregb

BigDavesTV · #13 02-02-2015, 06:56 AM

I hope you get the set Greg, that's a neat looking TV-HI-FI! I'll bet it's got about the same vertical chassis that my Suburbanite has. Good luck.

dieseljeep · #14 02-02-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavGoodlin

The Medalist Dave is referreing to may be one I had once. It had a one-knob tuner and "chromix" control, similar to a sepeia-tint control (versus hue on Motorolas my avatar). There was also a very solid handle and tough back cover with a concentric, round, teacup-shaped CRT boob.

Greg, is it like this one http://reading.craigslist.org/atd/4837407951.html

The set referred to is a 71-72 model, probably the last of that style. The chassis is a newer design, using a different color demod circuit and different tube line up. I bought it from another collector. I haven't tried it in ages.

Gregb · #15 02-02-2015, 08:54 PM

I went and had a look at the set tonight and it is in really nice condition. It has a British made Collaro turntable with a "Fleetwood" brand on it. The picture tube is the original Silvertone and came up to 40% on my tester right away so should make a picture. It does have the vertical chassis with two circuit boards and looks like a really easy set to service. I look forward to bringing it back to life. I paid $50 for it, I think it was great buy.

Gregb