Beetle 1939 General Electric Model KL-51 AM Vacuum Tube AM Radio Works! Beautiful Rare Early Plastic! Sounds Great! Excellent Condition!
DESCRIPTION: Beetle plastic vacuum tube radio manufactured by General Electric in late thirties timeframe. This particular model was a Canadian version of H600.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original beetle molded plastic cabinet. All original factory molded colors. Not repainted no touch up no over spray. None needed. There is a hairline crack along the right front corner. No other cracks, chips, splits, abrasions, or major cracks. Beetle plastic is one of the rarest early forms of plastic. More expensive and rarer than Bakelite. The swirly colors are uniquely recognizable characteristic of Beetle. Has colors of tan, brown, red, and yellow highlights swirled in with the white. The front clear tuning window is original in excellent condition with no cracks, warping or scratches. Yellowed with age. Gold foil tuning back is in excellent condition with no stains, scrapes, or rust.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations round the dial without an external attached antenna.
KNOBS: All original factory matching ivory switly plastric knobs are in excellent conditon with no cracks, chips, and securely attached.
DIAL LIGHT: Dial light works and lights brightly.
CLOCK: No clock.
LOGOS: None missing.
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: All paper and wax capacitors have been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! The tubes are working fine. All out-of-spec resistors have been replaced with modern correct value and voltage equivalents. There is no loud or pervasive hum. There is no loud or pervasive static between stations. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected.
POWER CORD: Brand new replacement polarized power cord and safety polarized plug are in excellent condition with no cracks, or splits.
BACKING BOARD: Original backing board was cracked in half and repaired. Original little pin secureling backing board.
FACTORY LABELS: No missing labels.
PROVENANCE: Was gently used then stored in a dry cool environment for a long period of time. No evidence of prolonged exposure to cigarette smoking, moisture, cooking grease, pets or carpet. This radio has been in our reserve inventories for a long time.
COLOR: White with red, brown, tan and yellow sworl highlights
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 10" x 6" x 6.5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 6 lbs. 14 oz.
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Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: Bakelite
Period: 1930s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier