Vintage TV's anyone?

[dartman]

Well, hard to say if anyone still rebuilds or sells new tubes. Back when I was really fixing TV's a lot I could get any tube I wanted new or rebuilt. IF it was very rare they would rebuild my core for me.
I think typical price in the late 80's early 90's was 90 to 120. Sony tubes, at least the big 26 inch ones, were way more money and the big 26" ones did not last long at all new or rebuilt.
Google might be your friend as many tubes interchange and you might be able to find one that's been sitting around unused with some luck.
I don't think anyone makes tube based sets any more so doubt there's much demand, or anyone doing them but who knows. Obviously there are folks collecting and restoring these things and anything else electronic so who knows whats out there now. You can still buy new Russian receive and audio tubes and used ones still show up in huge batches. I've got boxes full myself going back to the 20's I collected when I started fixing TV's and radios back in the days when you still needed them to fix good but slightly older or cheaper sets.

 

[vacerator]

Richard,

It would be awesome if you could restore those Zeniths to working order and appearance.
In any case, the cabinets look like they were made by Drexel Furniture company.
"Zenith hand crafted" Hi Fi and Television.
If worse comes to worse, and you can't get them working, you can always make them into an aquarium, display cabinet, or beverage center.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I ONLY USE CTR Televisions and CRT Computer Monitors. They are much better
on a side note, the tv in my shop has started making a funny noise. i hope its not bad!

 

[countryford]

Richard,
There are no companies that rebuild or manufacture crt anymore. You may be able to locate a nos one, but it would be difficult.
I would take a picture tube tester and test it. Although $100 for the two of those are a steal. I'd buy them without knowing if the picture tube is good.

 

[universaldave1]

The Early Television Foundation in Hilliard, OH is working on rebuilding CRT's, but they're not there yet.

 

[dartman]

I have two Beltron picture tube rejuvinaters. They were one of the best ones made and many tubes the guns are just dirty and need a cleaning rather then a full rejuvenation which can push a weak tube over the edge.
I bought my second one off eBay for about 25 shipped. It had a bunch of custom updates and all the adapters and sockets. They made many different types out there back in the day and I also have one made by RCA. It had some unique features but overall the Beltrons did a better job.
If you do a eBay search for CRT rejuvinater you might be able to find one cheap. It made my used TV output much better as I could save bad picture tubes and make a good working TV that looked good.
I actually had to rewire my newest one but luckily having my other well used one as a pattern I got it going and all the updates worked great.
Last tube I did was a Sony 36" HD set that was given to my mom. The set looked as good as new but true to my experience with the big Sony tubes it lasted less then a year and the guns shorted when I hit it again. Dang thing weighed over 200 pounds and we scrapped it as not worth trying to save again.
That can be a option if you can find a retired TV tech or find one used to buy. You can contact me if you find one and I can walk you through how to use one without frying the tube. The Zenith tubes always seemed to take a cleaning or rejuvenation and last a long time afterwards.

 

[tazcatsdad]

Here is my vintage TV set

<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">It is a 1979 MGA Mitsubishi Electric 15" Color TV with ultrasonic remote control, model CS-1592.  As you can see from the pictures, it still has its original remote control and is in perfect working condition!</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Bill W.</span>