Allwave 15 Serial #L-448

[Kelly McDaniel]

Brought my father's Scott radio from US to Canada hope of getting it working again after many years of it sitting on a shelf. I may be Allwave 15 but I'm sure someone can confirm or correct this. Serial #L-448. If there is someone in Alberta that can test/troubleshoot the operational side I would like to pursue this first. The unit has no case but I should be able to fashion a period cabinet here, it may have been a Tasman style cabinet intended for the components? I travel to and from Calgary/Denver often, may be able to transport this to the US along that path or divert if necessary. I want to restore the unit to operational order and build the cabinet and eventually return this to my family in Colorado.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[David C. Poland]

Welcome to this website.

Post all your questions and comments under this same thread, using the comment box. You can use the paperclip icon just above to attach photos.

Post a front view photo of the receiver for model confirmation. 

If a model Fifteen, the design evolved electrically over the about one year of production 1934-35. Scott radios were custom built, each upon receiving an order and in 3 to 5 weeks usually, was built, tested and shipped direct to the buyer. No cabinet provided, rather the buyer could select from several separately priced consoles from an exclusive Scott catelog (most by Rockford Peerless Furniture Co) . You should have a 3 tube amp, a 12 tube receiver, and a 12 inch pedestal speaker designed specifically for this model Scott radio. 

Select the Info Archive, then Set folders, and finally model Fifteen for information like an instruction manual and circuit diagrams.

[David C. Poland]

I looked at your photos after my post. Yes - is a model 15, with severely modified dial. but there are enough parts sets around, should be able to get the proper dial assembly.

Don't power this radio up before it is serviced.

Your correct speaker has damaged cone and it is important to assure the speaker is electrically  good before powering up the radio. I commented on a couple of your photos.

[David C. Poland]

If the receiver has an additional 2 red antenna posts on the rear, it is earlier production using a Wunderlich tube 2nd detector. 3rd tube back on the left side of the receiver. Some were modified to use a 55 tube, like later production used.

[Kent King]

Dave has already provided quite a bit of info...I will jump in here and tell you I can provide any chassis parts (like the tuning assembly) to help with the restoration. The chrome looks to be decent, and with a bit of work, the set can certainly be restored to its 1934 glory. I don't know of anyone out west who regularly works on Scott sets, maybe someone here will provide a lead.

Kent

[Brad Winder]

Welcome!

The speaker will definitely need to be re-coned to sound it's best. It may be possible to patch up the cone using coffee filters, but the damage looks pretty severe.

I am three hours north of Calgary, near Edmonton if I can be of help.

[Kelly McDaniel]

Thanks for your respective replies and advice so far. It is good to know that there was likely no cabinet with this unit as I remember it being inside of an old television console as a child along with a black and white TV, and a  record player. It seemed out of place in that console. The set was still functional when I came to Canada in 1985.

The cabinet I can deal with as I have the equipment and and likely the lumber in my shop here or I can source the lumber and hopefully the fabric. I can turn the missing knobs myself as well. The expertise that I need is to test the tubes and other components and then try to source any faulty items if needed. The tuning assembly will be a critical piece so this is great news that it might be available! First thing first though as I want to ensure there is no show stopper.

Brad, are you able to test the set and provide guidance if I were to bring it to you? I am not in any hurry here so time is not an issue. Please let me know and thanks.

[Alex R. Whitaker]

I don't see any pictures with this post.  I guess I'm missing something.  

[David C. Poland]

Alex - the 7 photo group was a separate item not on  this thread - scroll down the Latest Activity list..

Kelly - the restoration approach is to assure the basic items are ok:

Power transformer (which is really rugged), output transformer (inside the speaker pedestal), voltage divider inside the receiver (the big ceramic resistor), the tubes (which need not be very strong for now) by using a meter to check for continuity.

In the event you have some interest in trying restoration, there are some good "how to" videos on the Antique Radio Forum website to get you oriented before addressing your Scott radio. Helps if you have some experience with electrical soldering. Try a topical search for AW-15 or Allwave Fifteen above in top right search box.. We on this website can help guide you in restoration.

FYI - Restoration starts with modern modern filter caps in place of the originals (which are left in place for appearance sake), new caps in place of the metal bathtub type (except the 3 across the rear apron in low voltage cathode circuits).  There is an elegant 12 inch diameter coil platform wheel inside which must be  handeled in a particular way to access a couple capacitors - namely, rotate the band switch to the am band which is full counter clockwise, take a photo for reference later,  and do not disturb this control the entire time the coil wheel is dismounted lest the the gear drive is moved risking damage to a switch inside the antenna coil above. 

With this particular speaker (a special version Jensen), I have encountered some with an open field coil or open output transformer, but yours may be fine as you mention it was still working when you moved it a couple decades ago. With the amplifier circuit diagram available in the Allwave Fifteen set folder, you can identify the plug pins in order to check for continuity and approximate resistances with a meter (vintage or modern digital).