Preference? acquire restored or un-restored Scott?

[David C. Poland]

Curious for comments.

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1) Would you prefer to acquire an untested/unrestored Scott?

By this I mean complete and likely mostly original inside. 

Maybe described as "works" but poorly or only tubes light but no sound.

Implication: it will need  recapping and maybe (much) more.

(this is not a suggestion to power up an unfamiliar set to see if it plays)

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2) or prefer to acquire a nicely restored Scott?

By restored, I mean recent extensively recapped with modern film caps, filters and repairs as needed and working nicely.

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Your skill set will likely color your view. and please so comment. 

Perhaps comment on willingness to perform cabinet work.

[Norman S Braithwaite]

My preference is original chassis and cabinet with the cabinet in very presentable or better condition.  I enjoy electrical restoration of the chassis.

Norman 

[David C. Poland]

I prefer an unrestored but complete radio with good or better cosmetics. Regardless of claims about working condition, I do go over it to assure good electrical condition for proper working order. 

Prefer a seldom seen cabinet in good condition, and am prepared to undertake cabinet work for a cabinet that appeals to me.

I want to enjoy each play both as a radio and with a quality signal from modern CD or FM tuner. I do rotate through my restored consoles. 

[Chris Wysong]

My skill level is what I would call a mechanic. I can follow schematics and replace parts with a high level of confidence. When I bought my Philharmonic it was all original but I was assured it played, which it did with all original components. It was my most complicated chassis restoration in the 12 years I have been at this, and I was terrified I would make a mistake while doing it. It turned out just fine though. If I was going to purchase another one I would rather have it fully restored electronically.

For cabinets, I would like an original finish, but in my experience many of the radios from the 1930s don't do very well in keeping their finish. I am capable of full cabinet restorations.

Hope this helps.

[Brad Winder]

I have two opinions on this. I normally prefer to do my own restorations, so I like to buy relatively untouched chassis. I've experienced several nightmare sets that I've bought that were "restored" by others, only to have to basically redo all the work properly.

However, I unfortunately don’t have as much time to work on radios as I would like, and doing a Scott chassis like a Philharmonic is a huge commitment that I cannot commit to currently. And I have two waiting for me...

So, in this case, I would buy a restored set from someone I know and trust to do the work properly. 

[Thomas Day]

10 years ago I bought a pretty much original in a nice cabinet. Diid the recap and have it playing. Currently finishing a complete rebuild, on a second chassis, everything but the coils, chassis chrome pitted and some rust. Almost ready to see if it works. So, as a tech, I would take either one. 
Thom

[Scott Seickel]

I have purchased several "restored" sets over the years.  Every one of them was restored by a butcher.  The worst part is that these purchases were at antique radio meets and being sold by collectors.  Oh, there are plenty on the ARF who have said in the past that it is the buyers fault for not examining it closely, but how many people have you seen pull a chassis at a meet?  How many sellers would let you do that?  In my estimation only 20% or less are genuinely capable of doing a top quality restoration. 

[Robert Feenstra]

I much prefer an "unmolested" set. Two of my Phillies were in "working' condition but not really restored, just fixed to work.  One is now fully restored, removing all of the previous repairs and starting over.  For me, most of the fun is in the restoration. My AM/FM Philly had been repaired in the past but was mostly untouched except for a few capacitors.  Again, everything was stripped down and the restoration from ground up including re-chroming..  Radio works great.  The challenge and satisfaction of that radio made it one of the most enjoyable projects.  A "restored" set would probably get the same treatment.

[Mike Baldwin]

Unrestored with original finish cabinet.  I finally traded up to one.

Got it from an estate and believed to belong to the owners parents when new based on the ID labels on the buttons and history of the son.

My avatar photo shows how nice the chassis chrome is on it.

Mike

[Karl Sherwin]

I echo Brad's response. I have the skills and experience to do the electrical/electronics restoration, but not the time. Cabinets for me are best is they need miminal work such as a good cleaning & a bit of Howards. My FM Philly is mostly original save for the speaker/crossover plug & socket, needs a good cleaning and the cabinet I got was ideal for me - a bit of cleaning & Howards makes it not mint but presentable and original. 

Brad Winder said:

I have two opinions on this. I normally prefer to do my own restorations, so I like to buy relatively untouched chassis. I've experienced several nightmare sets that I've bought that were "restored" by others, only to have to basically redo all the work properly.

However, I unfortunately don’t have as much time to work on radios as I would like, and doing a Scott chassis like a Philharmonic is a huge commitment that I cannot commit to currently. And I have two waiting for me...

So, in this case, I would buy a restored set from someone I know and trust to do the work properly. 

[sloane freeman]

HELP.....

I finally, after forty years of saving and looking found a really nice pointer dial Philharmonic!

I bought it from Chilly Willie on Ebay.  Waited two months with no word on when it would be delivered.  Then Huzzah! It was on it's way!  At one point the driver was eighty miles away but for some reason decided to spend another week bouncing my baby all over the extremely bad roads down South.  I had to be in Florida the day after the latest ETA was given.  That ETA was never met.  I had to go to a scheduled meeting and could not wait even one more day, if indeed he would show up. Wee Willie Winkie has my Scott back on ebay, probably so far out of adjustment it would give even Norm nightmares.

I want a Philharmonic!  In the Warrington cabinet.  With excellent chrome.  Working in top form.  And I am willing to pay what it takes to get it, and get it here!

If anyone can help, please do so.  I lost my wife of forty years last year and this is the first thing I have been able to work up and interest for.

Therefore

[Kent King]

Sloane -

I have an unrestored but complete Philharmonic Deluxe in a Warrington cabinet. PM me for more details.

Kent

sloane freeman said:

HELP.....

I finally, after forty years of saving and looking found a really nice pointer dial Philharmonic!

I bought it from Chilly Willie on Ebay.  Waited two months with no word on when it would be delivered.  Then Huzzah! It was on it's way!  At one point the driver was eighty miles away but for some reason decided to spend another week bouncing my baby all over the extremely bad roads down South.  I had to be in Florida the day after the latest ETA was given.  That ETA was never met.  I had to go to a scheduled meeting and could not wait even one more day, if indeed he would show up. Wee Willie Winkie has my Scott back on ebay, probably so far out of adjustment it would give even Norm nightmares.

I want a Philharmonic!  In the Warrington cabinet.  With excellent chrome.  Working in top form.  And I am willing to pay what it takes to get it, and get it here!

If anyone can help, please do so.  I lost my wife of forty years last year and this is the first thing I have been able to work up and interest for.

Therefore