New guy. Recently obtained an Allwave 23 in a Tasman cabinet! (photos)

[David Melin]

Being one of the "new guys" here, I am not yet familiar with the "etiquette" in this forum, so I will save you the "back story" and fast forward to when I obtained this, my first E.H. Scott radio!    

 

Since initially I saw the radio for the first time via photograph.  One of the first things I noticed (besides that it was a EH Scott) was that the knobs were missing.  I told the owner that the missing knobs were not a “deal-breaker” for me (as we all know - missing knobs are not uncommon), but I was really happy to hear that he had removed all the knobs for storage, and had kept them separately – and still had all of them.  I was ecstatic!  Now that I have had the radio home for a few days and have had some time to do a preliminary inspection / inventory of the radio, I noticed that he did have all seven of the wooden knobs, but the small metallic band selector / pointer is missing.  All things considered – I am still really happy about this!!

 

If anyone knows who may have one, or where I can get a replacement band selector / pointer – I would be happy to hear from you! 

 

In addition to the knobs for the radio, the previous owner had the FULL documentation for the radio.  The paperwork included the original "Thank you for your purchase" letter from (and signed by) E.H. Scott himself - dated February 10, 1937.  (This letter thanked the customer for his purchase, explained when and how to expect delivery (the chassis was coming from one location, the cabinet from another), and even explained why the customer may have a little trouble on the shortwave bands from automobile ignition system interference due to the customer's proximity to a highway.)  I also received the original owner's manual, instillation instructions for the optional "Super Antenna System", an E.H. Scott product catalog, a tissue paper template for drilling holes into your own front panel if you were not going to put the chassis in one of the E.H. Scott cabinets, and finally a shipping envelope from when the previous owner received the radio.     

   

As you can see in the photos, the cabinet is in really decent shape with only a few minor dings - but nothing too significant.  Kent, I read your forum posting that included the “recipe” for a home brewed magic scratched cabinet repair elixir (the one with boiled linseed oil, gum turpentine, and vinegar.)  This is something I will be checking into!

Although, I must admit... I am a little worried that while I whip up a batch of this in my "mixing cauldron", I may spontaneously begin chanting “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” - resulting in some worried neighbor(s) labeling me a "witch" (or in my case a "warlock"

 

So, if anyone has been successful in their scratch / ding repair I am open to hearing any / all suggestions that you have!     

 

The chassis chrome (or Nickel) plating is noticeably dusty, but appears to be in pretty decent shape under the dusty coating.  I have only wiped off a few of the cans, but I have been very pleasantly surprised with the initial results thus far.   I have found some tiny “pin prick” pits in the surface of a few pieces.  It is not a perfect chassis, but overall (at least initially) I would give it an 8.5 out of 10.  (Ask me again when I get deeper into the restoration…).  I want to be very careful to try to clean and beautify the chassis without doing damage to the plating!

 

This radio also included a couple of other factory options.  First, there is the optional "Volume Range Expander" - which is the narrow rectangular box you can see in the back corner of the chassis.  Second (maybe saving the best for last) - there is a pair of the "High Fidelity Spears" (aka "tweeters") installed in the radio too!       

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

This is the extent of my "detailed inventory" of the radio.  A couple of other initial observations I made include... 

• It is missing an 83V rectifier tube.  The previous owner mentioned that he had accidentally broken this tube somewhere along the line.
• The grill cloth is in good shape, the speaker cone (from the limited view I have of it) appears to be in good shape,
• There are no (visual or olfactory) signs of mouse, cat, or any other animal activity within the cabinet.   

 

Once I got the radio home, I found an appropriate placement to honor the radio - but for display ONLY - There it will rest while I enjoy it's beauty until a such time that a full restoration of the chassis is complete.  

 

I am still new to the world of radio restoration.  I have yet to undertake my first "project" radio (a Delco R-1243) - so I will likely be looking for a "professional" to undertake the chassis restoration on the this AW23.  It's far too important that it be restored to its full potential and its original magnificence!

If anyone has a recommendation of a QUALIFIED person to undertake such an job in the Midwest of the USA - I'd be happy to take a name / contact!  I don't know when exactly I'll get to this project, but it would be nice to have a recommendation or two from knowledgeable folks such as yourselves!  
 

I hope you have all enjoyed the story of how I obtained, and description of the condition of this exquisite radio!  If y'all are interested I can share with you the backstory (and a little about myself, and my interest in antique radios!)

If I violated some etiquette with such a lengthy (and maybe a little humorous) post - please - let me know, and forgive me.  I'll make the necessary adjustments to ensure I tone it down in the future!            

[Kent King]

David - No violations here...this is a generally happy and helpful forum, at least we try to keep it that way. a couple things to help you:

1. Up on the menu bar on this site, you'll find "Scott Info Archive". If you go in there, you will find additional data on the AW23 folder. You can download and print numerous documents on the AW23.

2. The bandswitch lever is not a big problem. Years ago, the EH Scott Historical Society reproduced some of them. When someone asks, I provide and use the proceeds to help defray the costs of operating this site. Send me a private message on the board if you'd like to get one of the repro knobs. They are very good repros.

I am sure others will chime in as well. I am in the midwest (Ohio), but I do not do other work...I've got too much of my own work to do :-)

Kent

[Y2K Bruce]

Wow-That's is a very nice original survivor. Its pretty common to see one of these with the optional tweeters but to still have the original optional volume range expander box complete with the side bezel is rather rare. The ebay going rate for the tweeters is about $1200 and the VRE  complete like yours is maybe a $400-$600 item. Sadly these AW23 sets are worth more parted out than kept complete.

Your cabinet is the Tasman a nice looker but rather common as it was sometimes a fee give a way in winter sales specials to keep the sales rolling in in  slow months

[Norman S Braithwaite]

Great find!  My first complete pre-WWII Scott was also a near mint AW-23 in a Tasman cabinet with tweeters but without the volume range expander.  Locating someone to rebuild the accessory volume range expander may be a challenge.  From a mechanical standpoint, they are very difficult to rebuild.  The volume range expander, however, is only useful for orchestral and operatic performances (think records since very little of this is broadcast today) therefore the accessory is generally considered a display item not needing to be rebuilt today.

Norman

[David C. Poland]

Nice first Scott to have.  It offers real high fidelity audio.  

To clean the chrome, I like Turtle Wax brand liquid chrome polish. leaves a bit of a protective coat. Take your time. Use pieces of old hand/bath towel as applicator. When you get much grit or dirt build up, discard and use a fresh piece. Buff with clean piece of towel.  Your chrome looks pretty good and should clean up very nice.

Don't use water to clean the tubes. I like fine 0000 steel wool and a light touch. Keep the steel wool well away from the chassis - you don't want bits of steel wool falling on the chassis or into the tube sockets.

Enjoy the appearance. Read the owners manual and the factory technical info to get acquainted with the radio before you make any decisions on restoration. It is a lot of work for a proper restoration, but the result is worth the effort. It should be properly restored before ever powering it up.  Then an FM tuner or CD player on the phono input will amaze you, especially with your example having the optional tweeters.

[David C. Poland]

And vacuum the cabinet and chassis first.  The clear plastic dial strip can be cleaned with a mild detergent on a damp cloth. My experience is the numbering is water fast. 

Your cabinet looks pretty good, too. Should clean up nicely. Just don't use a silicone product like Pledge. A damp cloth may be sufficient, And then, perhaps, go over the cabinet with Old English.

[Thomas Day]

I used KIWI neutral shoe polish on the Waverly cabinet of my Allwave 23. This was recommended by a friend who deals in antique furniture. It removes the dirt and leaves a nice shine.