Masterpiece repair project

[Randy Rago]

I'm a member / restorer at the Asheville Radio Museum avlradiomusem.org and recently connected with a customer asking to restore a relative's Sott Masterpiece.

Been in the tube radio fixin' hobby since the early 70's and never came across one of these and saw a once-in- a -lifetime opportunity so of course I said YES!

From what i can tell, its mostly there but I have one question for the group. I have to re-cone the speaker but it has a 14 ohm VC, not the 38 ohm i've read about here. What are my issues if i run it with the14 ohm VC? THX

[David C. Poland]

you proposing to cut a panel if you had a pencil drawing as a pattern? 

And do you have escutcheons for controls, eye and dial crystal?

[Randy Rago]

David, all the panel parts are missing but i can cut a wood panel, better than nothing for now

[David C. Poland]

Randy, FYI - best to use 3/8 inch thick stock like Scott did, to assure the properly exposed shafts and dial clearance. The receiver came with a pair of studs protruding on the front corners of the chassis to properly position the chassis against the cabinet front. I have made such panels. Supporting the panel on the front of the chassis takes some ingenuity. Suggest cabinet grade plywood, like available from a source like Woodcraft stores. if you plan to veneer the plywood, do so before cutting and router work. Scott panels typically displayed book matched veneer centered from the dial.

I can provide a pencil tracing off of a panel for shaft, dial and eye hole sizes and locations. The opening for the dial is for the proper size round dial escutcheon. 

[Randy Rago]

Thanks for the offer but i am going my own way with it.

[Scott Seickel]

I have a complete escutcheon set for a Masterpiece.  Probably putting it up on Ebay in the near future. 

[Randy Rago]

Scott, what are you asking. You can email me direct for privacy [e-mail]

[David C. Poland]

Here is a reference for you of the Scott Masterpiece I had showing correct escutcheons and knobs.

DSCF3969.JPG

[Randy Rago]

Thanks David

[Don Jackson]

Randy, I have the same issue. I acquired a bare Masterpiece chassis and wanted to make it look a bit more presentable and it is a work in progress, so here is my entry in the "better than nothing" category. I already had a set of 5 "S" knobs, which was a good start. The pinch knobs are reproductions, but at least are available. I obtained a set of Phantom escutcheons which are almost the same, the selectivity one has an extra setting but is hard to notice. I found a junky old clock in a thrift store which had a crystal about the same size which seemed hopeful, so made a panel using this. Not the real thing, but a step up from a round hole and it actually does not look too bad. I cut the panel from part of an old cabinet and did not put much effort into it, if I ever find a proper bezel and glass will likely make a better one. Mine was also missing the dial pointer so had to use a generic replacement. I might never find either of these items, but something might come along. 

[Randy Rago]

Nice job,Don.

[David C. Poland]

Incidentally, the Scott Masterpiece has remarkably good audio. With the speaker is a good cabinet, I was impressed with the results using a CD player on the phono input. Mine in the modest sized Mayfair phono credenza.

It is basically the Scott Super 12 with ramped up audio power. Also, added the ultra high frequency red band, primarily for receiving the audio portion the pre-war TV broadcasts. Thus, resulting in the relocation of the phono switch from the Wave Change control to the Selectivity control and the addition of separate Fidelity and Sensitivity controls.

There are a few examples of the late production Super 12  having two additional controls (I had one): one as a radio phono switch , the other a Sensitivity control. This confuses some folks as the late Super 12 looks like a Masterpiece at first glance, but the Masterpiece has the output tubes on the separate 3 tube power supply chassis.

[Randy Rago]

Yes, the push pull 6v6 setup gives superior fidelity