1938 General Electric Console Radio Resto-Mod

[JasonInAugusta]

Started work on a garage radio.

It's a 1938 General Electric G-76.

How it looked when I spotted it. $80 later I took it home.


Brought it into the garage and it instantly looked better.


The finish looked decent but since it had scratches, water stains, and some peeling veneer, I wanted to re-finish it and update the electronics. Sort of a resto-mod.

I gutted the cabinet and masked the opening before breaking out the oscillating saw. (This picture was actually taken just prior to removing the panel, but you get the idea)


Panel removed


I have two sets of speakers to mess with, some Bose 201s from '91 and some Klipsch stuff from 2000 or so. The Klipsch stuff sounds great but the woofers need new surrounds so I removed them from the enclosure and got to work.

The woofers are 6 1/2" 6 Ohm units and they sounded great before the surrounds took a dump so I decided to re-build them and put them to use.

A razor knife with snap-off blade was used to cut under the trim ring and remove it from the basket.


The oscillating saw with a flexible scraper made short work of removing the old surround from the basket.


One down, one to go.


The Klipsch horn (tweeter) has a double-stacked magnet.


The Klipsch 3" mids are in good condition. They don't need new surrounds like the woofers.


So it's a start. Open to ideas. Everything I work on is usually in flux and finds itself as I work.

[TattooKenny]

I love watching you bring back this old stuff! It's better than the History Channel's American Restoration!

[Harley]

Awesome project. Interested in seeing the final product.

[JasonInAugusta]

Kenny, I wanted to restore the stock electronics but it needed more than just new tubes and caps.

The mechanical bits were fawked as well. Switches jacked up, the pulley/cable system was thrashed as well.

Then I got to thinking about how it would be nice to have the look but have a much more functional unit.

So to keep it cheap, I'm using stuff I already have here. Remember the audio system that was in the RC trailer? It's going in. 400W of goodness.

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

Kenny, I wanted to restore the stock electronics but it needed more than just new tubes and caps.

That's exactly what I was going to ask about.

Are the tubes still around? Can you see what they are, like any lettering or markings?

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by EeePee

That's exactly what I was going to ask about.

Are the tubes still around? Can you see what they are, like any lettering or markings?

There's a general schematic on a sticker inside the cabinet and I've found a spot to download the factory schematic online.

Problem is that the shop in town won't touch it. I can replace components but can't do a proper alignment because I don't have the equipment.

So...all of that combined brought me to the idea of a resto-mod.

[TattooKenny]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

So to keep it cheap, I'm using stuff I already have here. Remember the audio system that was in the RC trailer? It's going in. 400W of goodness.

I remember! It was like sitting in a IMax theater! That's going to be a kick ass cabinet when its done! And just tell everyone its the original speakers!

[microgoat]

I take it you've re-foamed speakers before? If not, PM me for some tips.

I know you're not just gonna toss modern components in that big hole. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by microgoat

I take it you've re-foamed speakers before? If not, PM me for some tips.

I know you're not just gonna toss modern components in that big hole. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Re-foaming (and re-coning, for that matter) is no big deal. Last did it in '95. Not like the technology behind it has changed. Slight variances from woofer to woofer but the overall technique is the same.

We'll see.

I have a disused Sony DVD player from '97 or so and a couple of LCD monitors that are in the back of my mind.

Like I said, it's in flux. We'll see how it shakes out.

Combined, the two 6s need .55 cubic feet with a 2" port that's 10 1/2" long.

Got some sanding done tonight. Can still see the water ring a bit.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Be sure and make it bug proof. Every system I've ever had in a garage eventually became a graveyard for moths and other small flying insects. While it won't really interfere with the radio portion, they do a damn good job of jambing up the cd player guts.

Looking good though, you going to do a quick tutorial on refoaming speakers? I'd be interested in seeing it done...

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Be sure and make it bug proof. Every system I've ever had in a garage eventually became a graveyard for moths and other small flying insects. While it won't really interfere with the radio portion, they do a damn good job of jambing up the cd player guts.

Looking good though, you going to do a quick tutorial on refoaming speakers? I'd be interested in seeing it done...

CDs are so 90's.

I've had good luck with our old Sony DVD player in the garage. Bought it in Hawaii (so that's pre-'98 ) and we used it until I picked up a PS3 for Blu-Ray/DVD. The old DVD player then went to the garage. Never had an issue with it. I use it for the occasional CD too.

The problem with CDs in the garage is dust and scratches. Digital audio seems best for me out there.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

CDs are so 90's.

I've had good luck with our old Sony DVD player in the garage. Bought it in Hawaii (so that's pre-'9 and we used it until I picked up a PS3 for Blu-Ray/DVD. The old DVD player then went to the garage. Never had an issue with it. I use it for the occasional CD too.

The problem with CDs in the garage is dust and scratches. Digital audio seems best for me out there.

Yeah yeah. I finally ditched lp's and cassettes 3 years ago.

I've lost 5 cd players in 4 years due to bugs. 3 were boom-box types, 2 were bookshelf types. I think the next one will get encased in a sealed box.

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Yeah yeah. I finally ditched lp's and cassettes 3 years ago.

I've lost 5 cd players in 4 years due to bugs. 3 were boom-box types, 2 were bookshelf types. I think the next one will get encased in a sealed box.

Wife and I are hanging out in the garage tonight (it's after midnight here now) and I'm getting some work done. After I got some stain on it she decided that it was "too nice to put in the garage."

So, for now, it seems it's going in the house. That means I'll just set it up to run off an iPod.

Sucks, because the plan in my head for this thing was a touchscreen PC for the garage.

Progress pics from tonight:

Completely sanded, ready for pre-stain.


Pre-stain applied.


1st coat of stain.


2nd coat.


Picking up some 1/2" MDF tomorrow as well as some cloth to cover the speaker opening. Also need to pick up some body filler, black paint, clear coat, and Lexan.

Just checked shipping info - new woofer surrounds will be here tomorrow.

Definitely going to be a busy day.

So - should be a bunch of pics tomorrow.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Nice.

[JasonInAugusta]

Horns are ready to be installed tomorrow. I'm working on enclosure dimensions and volume. I hope to get the enclosures built and mounted tomorrow.

[BFGcrawler418]

Looking good man!

[JasonInAugusta]

Re-foam kit arrived.



With a bit of help/persuasion/insistence , Mina picked out some fabric for the speaker opening today. Also picked up 1/2" MDF, body filler, clear coat, and some new tools to get the job done.

Had to check it out before I build the new front baffle.

[C*H*U*D]

Very cool! My girlfriend has had some old antique furniture in the basement for years. She always says she is going to restore them but I doubt she will...maybe I should show her this thread.






Or maybe just secretly ship it all down to you

[slobin3d]

IIRC I think I remember seeing a WiFi radio system that you can broadcast you music collection through the wifi on an Ipod or droid as well a computer in another location. Something like that would be pretty sweet in your resto mod radio

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by slobin3d

IIRC I think I remember seeing a WiFi radio system that you can broadcast you music collection through the wifi on an Ipod or droid as well a computer in another location. Something like that would be pretty sweet in your resto mod radio

Yeah, I've looked into a bunch of touchscreen gadgets for it. Wife isn't 100% sold on the idea. She wants to put it in the living or dining room and doesn't think "we" will need all the gadget-wizardry in it so we'll see how it shakes out. I kind of figure if it's worth building...