RETRO Burgundy Vintage Portable AM 1956 Silvertone 7404 AM Tube Radio Works!
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 10.5 x 2.5 x 7.5 (l x w x h)
COLOR: Burgundy/Brown
DESCRIPTION: Silverton Model 7404 portable tube AM radio manufactured by Silvertone in 1956 timeframe in excellent working condition. Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment. Cabinet is in very good to excellent condition with no cracks, splits, or seams, abrasions, deep scratches or missing material which is uncommon for a portable like this. There are tiny paint dots across the front of the radio. Could be cleaned easily with some soap and water. This radio is over 50 years old! Original knobs are grey in color. The tuning and volume knobs work fine. The radio turns on and off easily with a definite click. Replaced all wax and paper filter capacitor with modern electrolytic as a security measure. The tubes are working fine. There is no loud or pervasive hum. There is no loud or pervasive static between stations. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. The power cord and plug are good original working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring. The plug looks like it has been cracked and repaired with some tape. Looks stable enough. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. Comes from non-smoking, mature, clean professional environment no pets. When this radio was new, you could have listened to Eisenhower's inaugural address!
OPERATION: These old tube radios are better sounding than solid state audio devices, in my opinion. Nothing beats high voltages and heat in generating a warm organic sound that seems to fill the room. By comparison, solid state or digital seems to just approximate this effect. It's for this reason that the highest quality audio equipment and amplifiers used by musicians today are still based heavily on vacuum tubes. Not surprisingly, rewards come with risks. Old vacuum tube technology until the sixties operate at high voltage and high heat compared to solid state electronics prevalent from sixties onward. Furthermore, these old designs are 'hot-grounded' to the AC line as opposed to the third prong "cold" ground. Most of the radios made in the forties were wired point-to-point which meant inconsistencies during manufacture. Never put your hands inside one of these old radios when it's turned on or plugged in. Never leave these radios turned on for an extended period of time unattended. Do not operate these devices on a metal table. Do not operate these radios on a wet surface. If the surface underneath one of these radios gets wet, pull out the plug before turning it off and dry everything off before attempting to turn it back on. For best performance, do not operate this radio near a modern electronic device; computer, microwave, home security, fluorescent light, etc. You will hear a constant humming or whining. All vacuum tubes take some time to warm up, no more than 30 sec to a minute at the most. The radio listed in this auction is restored only, not refurbished. With the right care and proper use, it should provide a (another!) lifetime of use. Great for décor, a conversation piece, etc. They getting more collectible and increasing in value too. Besides, everyone already has an fancy stereo, iPod or MP3 player!
SHIPPING: I make best effort to package all my items carefully using industry standard packing materials; styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, foam sleeves, or a combination of any or all these (depending on the item). I insure every package for the full purchase price. As long as you cooperate with USPS claims process, I will be happy to give you a full refund for items damaged in shipping. Shipping and handling charges are estimates only. There are no refunds on overpaid shipping amounts. Please bid accordingly. There are no warranties on the items