AW23 Restoration?

[Jeff Barna]

Looking for comments and advice from as many members willing to share. I’ve had an AW23 with the Laureate Grande cabinet since the 70’s. I used to play it but it’s been sitting idle for over 30 years now. It doesn’t play anymore, but the ‘bones’ are still good. Power transformer good, no RF but amp works, though the volume control doesn’t control the volume! I’m considering having it restored and have found a reputable antique radio repair shop, with extensive Scott experience. I discussed the project with them and it all sounds great, except for the sticker shock. Close to $2k for restoration done right, the only way to go. That means keeping everything original, repacking ALL the caps, not just the filter cans. Wondering if this would increase the value of the radio by what it would cost. I’m not necessarily looking to sell, but in case I do, I’d like restoration to be cost-effective. I guess what I’m really asking is…what’s the value of the radio now versus restored to like-new condition? Thanks in advance. I appreciate everyone’s counsel.

[Scott Seickel]

I really hate to say it, but no, it will not increase the radio value by $2k, not even close and probably not even 50 cents on the dollar.  You would do it because you love the set and plan on keeping it long term. 

[mike hadley]

I think that the restoration price of 2k is reasonable, considering the amount of work that's involved.

Taking on an old radio is like buying a classic car, you are lucky if it's all original and putting right even the smallest modification can cost many man hours alone, bear in mind that this would add to the repair cost,

I don't think that a restoration would add any value, as it all depends on the quality of the restoration work carried out, from just a repair to a full blown back to original restoration, you could spend thousands on a re-chrome alone.

Owning a working Scott is a worthwhile investment, and if repaired correctly will give years of dependable service.

Mike

[David C. Poland]

Jeff - Welcome to the Scott site.

Evidently, you have the  5 knob version of the AW-23. There is no radio/phono switch like the later 7 knob AW-23 has. Your phono posts in the rear left should be connected by a short jumper wire for radio operation, to provide the necessary ground connection for the cathode of the 1st stage audio amp 6C6. For phonograph operation, the jumper is removed and the phonograph audio cable would be connected to these two posts.

HOWEVER, for phono input of this Scott model, the phono must have its own radio/phono switch used to either a) act as a jumper for radio operation, or b) connect the phono pick-up lead wire into the cathode circuit for playing a record. In addition, the phonograph requires its own volume control.  

I have the same model AW-23 (5 knob in a Laureate Grande cabinet). I use a CD player which must have its own volume control. To act as  a radio/phono switch,  I use a stereo 1/8"  size mini-jack socket of the type that breaks the ground connection when the mini-jack of the audio cable is inserted into the socket. CAUTION - Turn the radio OFF when Inserting or removing the mini-jack plug, otherwise the "POP" is at full volume !!!.

Do study the May 1935 circuit diagram for the High-Fidelity Allwave to 1) locate the radio phono connection and 2) notice the radio's volume control is ahead of the phono input which is why the radio volume control fails to control phono input. Indeed, any audio source would play at full volume without its own volume control. Other Scott models before and after the 5 knob AW-23 of 1935 are wired with a functioning volume control for the phono input.

[Thomas Day]

I have always been curious as to why this arrangement was chosen for the Allwave 23.  I also have the 5 knob 1935 model.  I have restored it well enough to play, but I still need to put it back on the bench for a complete alignment. Several years ago, I bought another Allwave chassis, also a 5 knob, but later with the dual antenna posts. It has been massivevly worked over, and will be quite a job to restore, plus the chrome is in poor condition.

It is complete with all tubes, no power supply, but I could make one and use a separate power amp with it if I choose to do anything with it.  

I have rebuilt a few Hammond Organ power amplifiers that also use a balanced input. Just about the same power output as the Allwave 23. 

Is there a specification for the input voltage required for the phono section>

Thom

[Jeff Barna]

Thanks for the reply, Scott. I do love the radio. But can't really justify spending that much money if I'm not going to get a good chunk of it back. And I don't want to do it wrong or hack it up in any way. Maybe its destiny is to become a non-functioning museum piece! :)

Scott Seickel said:

I really hate to say it, but no, it will not increase the radio value by $2k, not even close and probably not even 50 cents on the dollar.  You would do it because you love the set and plan on keeping it long term. 

[Jeff Barna]

Thanks for the response, David. This is a 7-knob radio.

David C. Poland said:

Jeff - Welcome to the Scott site.

Evidently, you have the  5 knob version of the AW-23. There is no radio/phono switch like the later 7 knob AW-23 has. Your phono posts in the rear left should be connected by a short jumper wire for radio operation, to provide the necessary ground connection for the cathode of the 1st stage audio amp 6C6. For phonograph operation, the jumper is removed and the phonograph audio cable would be connected to these two posts.

HOWEVER, for phono input of this Scott model, the phono must have its own radio/phono switch used to either a) act as a jumper for radio operation, or b) connect the phono pick-up lead wire into the cathode circuit for playing a record. In addition, the phonograph requires its own volume control.  

I have the same model AW-23 (5 knob in a Laureate Grande cabinet). I use a CD player which must have its own volume control. To act as  a radio/phono switch,  I use a stereo 1/8"  size mini-jack socket of the type that breaks the ground connection when the mini-jack of the audio cable is inserted into the socket. CAUTION - Turn the radio OFF when Inserting or removing the mini-jack plug, otherwise the "POP" is at full volume !!!.

Do study the May 1935 circuit diagram for the High-Fidelity Allwave to 1) locate the radio phono connection and 2) notice the radio's volume control is ahead of the phono input which is why the radio volume control fails to control phono input. Indeed, any audio source would play at full volume without its own volume control. Other Scott models before and after the 5 knob AW-23 of 1935 are wired with a functioning volume control for the phono input.

[David C. Poland]

Then - you do have a radio/phono switch. It is the small lower knob on the left of the tuning knob and band switch. Clockwise is Radio. Counterclockwise is Phono (or auxiliary in my case for an FM tuner.)

For the 7 knob version, the volume control should control what ever is connected to the phono posts control too. Be aware however, some 5 knobs receivers were returned to the factory for repair and Scott Radio Lab might ( or be asked to) update the receiver to the later control configuration making such examples a sort of hybrid.  

[Jeff Barna]

I'm sure I MUST have tried that switch in both positions back when I had the radio powered up...but maybe not? Perhaps I should try again. I remember quite vividly that the volume control knob had no effect on the phono input. Whether that was a characteristic or a problem, idk. Thanks for the tips, David.

[Scott Seickel]

Hi Jeff. 

Honestly, restuffing is nice, but if you keep the original capacitors with the set along with a note, I see no harm.  I am taking into account that you have owned this radio long term and it will do you no good having it just sit there.  It was built to be played.  I have a super nice Philharmonic amp on the bench now and I have decided to just install new capacitors on a terminal strip under the unit rather than cut open the original electrolytic cans.  IMHO, that is the least destructive route. 

I think you can get the radio reasonably restored for half of that price, not including expensive items, but covering the basics like all caps and resistors as necessary.   There are some competent guys out there that are retired and restoring radios for beer money.  I think you *might* recover that money.  I personally will not pay more for a restored set, and frankly, I avoid them as I always find horrible workmanship. 

Jeff Barna said:

Thanks for the reply, Scott. I do love the radio. But can't really justify spending that much money if I'm not going to get a good chunk of it back. And I don't want to do it wrong or hack it up in any way. Maybe its destiny is to become a non-functioning museum piece! :)

Scott Seickel said:

I really hate to say it, but no, it will not increase the radio value by $2k, not even close and probably not even 50 cents on the dollar.  You would do it because you love the set and plan on keeping it long term.