My mother was the utility operator on the Sylvania tube assembly line starting during WW2 until about 1957. She could do all the jobs, so would train the new people and fill in for people out. She still has a 1950s Sylvania table radio that works fine (AM only). The reception on this thing is beyond excellent. It demonstates to me how terrible AM radios are today. I doubt she has replaced the tubes for a very long time if ever. It does take longer than normal for it to warm up, so probably could use some. (I should make sure she puts it in her will for me!!!)
Tubes are not so unreliable
While getting my hair cut, I remarked to my barber about his Zenith table radio. It featured FM, but seemed to be of mid-60's vintage. He confirmed that he probably bought it in 1965 or 1966. When I told him it must be tubed, he said it was. He has played it every day the barbershop has been open since the radio was purchased. I asked him how often he has had to replace a tube. The answer was, "Never, I have never touched anything inside of it." He didn't know how many or what types of tubes the radio used. His sentiment was that if a tube ever goes, he will have to retire it(but not get rid of it). That's when I told him to tell me if that ever happens. I will hook him up with the tubes. That was when Zenith was Zenith. Before the dark days; how they went from being the best to the worst. The radio was bought for the princely sum of $85. I wonder how much that would be in today's money. Enough to buy the WaveRadio I am sure. Now, who would ever suggest that someone buying the Bose would ever get 35 years of use out of it? I guess tubes are not so unreliable after all. So, for anyone who worries about buying tube equipment, you might want to think about this story
11 responses Add your response