Philosophical Debate

[Kent King]

I bought a World Record Super 9 at the Estes auction last weekend (photos attached). This is supposed to be the set described in the March 1927 issue of Citizen's Radio Callbook. I say supposed to be because the original builder or someone later modified the circuit. There is a General Radio #367 matching transformer between the final output tube and the headphone jack, for example. Also, the wiring of the set is messy and has errors (found two so far). 

Here is the philosophical question: Should I clean up the set and maintain it as is, doing only the necessary to make it work, OR...should I dismantle it and reassemble it matching the Citizen's Radio Callbook article? I have all the necessary items, using original items from other scrapped sets. What does everyone think?

Kent

[Kent King]

Oh...to see what it should look like, go to the Scott Info Archive, Set Folders, Super 9, and look for the construction article. Thanks!!

[mike hadley]

Hi Kent,

I think that as there are unwanted parts and especially circuit errors the route of unmodified would be the way to go, it all depends how far from original the set really is.

difficult one.

Mike

[Scott Seickel]

Reassemble it to match the Citizen's Radio Callbook article. 

[Steve Larrabee]

IMHO:  I would say it depends on what you decide you want from the radio:  an example of amateur experimentation common in the era, or an example of a factory WR 9.  Personally, I always go back to the original design and try to make it as close to factory as I can. best, steve

PS:  Congratulations on your purchase!!

[Norman S Braithwaite]

I would rebuild it to the original design.

Norman

[Joseph W Strickland]

I would say rebuild to the original design, however before you remove the added parts, document what was added and add your own comments about the apparent purpose of the modifications. Pictures and a brief comment would probably be enough.

I have a Philco AM/SW radio which had a phonograph input jack added to its chassis and I have documented that with pictures, but removed it. The added 1/4 inch jack was an interrupting type and it had become corroded so badly that it was causing no audio.

Joe

[Kent King]

[Kent King]

[Kent King]

The two images give you all some idea of the differences between the magazine article and the set. It's probably 75% following the article, but the diversions are interesting. Anyway...I really appreciate everyone's opinions. I appears unanimous to restore it back to the Citizen's Radio Callbook article. The CRCB article is a unique set for sure: the 4 IF tubes are supposed to be CX-12/WX-12. The rest are 01As except the final output (71A). This set is wired for the first 3 IF tubes to have separate filament runs (required for the CX-12s). There are many other little differences. As I move along I'll post updates. This one will take awhile, and I never have much radio time, sadly.

[Kent King]

The front panel:

[David C. Poland]

Kent - Will you use the original wiring and and solid buss stock or go with newer?

And new bottom wood or use the existing?

[Kent King]

I will probably use the same base, trying as much as possible to leave major components in the same (or very close) location. I will salvage all the bus wire and reuse as much as possible, substituting NOS or new only where I have changes. It will be time consuming simply because I will try to use as much original material as possible.