It works like when it was made and is in absolutely beautiful condition. For a detailed description of the radio and the work done, please continue reading: Initial inspection: This radio came to me 7-20-2025 in the condition you see in my photos. Its previous owner said he fixed it, and it worked, but FM stopped working soon after. I guess they gave up? Research: Radiomuseum says this radio was made in 1955. That is likely for that particular model number. I have seen many variations of this design. Painted, white checkerboard grill, different colored knobs. Lots of different trims. Clean and glossy, complete and original right down to its “Pegged” back retainers. Its cabinet is made of real Bakelite (not brown plastic). I looked it over very carefully and could only find the very tiniest little ding anywhere. Inside the radio was as clean as a whistle. Its speaker appeared mint. Repair: I carefully disassembled the radio and found it was newly recapped with the highest quality replacement electrolytic capacitors one could ever use; Nichicon Orange Drops. They are excellent for this application and have an extremely long lifespan. The previous works was good. As I looked it over I found something I would have addressed… Perhaps they didn’t know? … It still had its original selenium rectifier in circuit. I have the schematic for this model and checked the rectifiers output voltage…. Yep. Its DC voltage was about 40% too low. FM is intolerant of excessively low voltage. I took the old rectifier out of circuit and added a new modern silicone diode and a corresponding ceramic dropping resistor. All test point voltages are now as specified by schematics. While I had the schematic at hand, I double checked the previous work. Tested, FM was then working excellent… Next I checked its tubes. I wrote down how they tested, and will add that information at the bottom of description, but suffice it to say, the previous owner must have already checked its tubes and replaced any they thought they should. All of its tubes tested very strong. Like new. I checked its alignment. Added a drop of control cleaner to its volume control and reassembled the radio. Performance: Volume control goes smoothly from totally silent to overload loud. For strong local stations it produces a sound that is Clean and Clear. It has a fair amount of base and sounds really good. It tuned all the weak stations in my area. I tested both bands. Its Bakelite cabinet is as reflective as a grand piano. Its cloth grill is really nice. It has silver threads that sparkle. Serviced = I clean the volume control, check the radio’s alignment, and check its current draw. I also fix whatever else needs attention. Karl : _ Tube testing results: Tube Layout: 7 tube w/selenium rectifier R. 58 is good minimum. Note: All the tubes except for the RCA appear to be the original Zenith tubes. If so, and considering the overall clean original condition, this is likely a low-hour set.
