Marble Brown Bakelite 1949 Bendix Model 526A AM Vacuum Tube Radio Classic Design! Sounds Great! Love This One!
DESCRIPTION: This radio is a beautiful example of post war machine design. Affectionately referred to by collectors as "The Toaster." However, it is not a toaster. It is a radio. Remember that pre-war, many home products still had an old fashioned look with lots of wood, carving and ornamentation, gold and the like. With gearing up for war, large industry was forced to adopt new streamlined large scale approaches. After the war, Bendix pivoted to consumer oriented products but its heavy manufacturing industrial sensibilities remain obvious with this radio. Deep pockets always draws best talent so it's no surprise that an airplane company can come up with a surprisingly good looking and nice performing radio. Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Bendix in 1949 time frame in excellent+ working and physical condition. This design features a handle built into the top which is very functional.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Original molded Bakelite is in excellent condition no cracks no chips no major scratches. Original factory molded brown marbly swirly Bakelite. Not repainted. Tuning lens is in excellent condition with no cracks no flaking letters or numbers. Sometimes these tuning lenses are found cracked.
KNOBS: The factory original matching tan knobs are in excellent condition and are not painted. They are molded in reddish brown swirly plastic. The volume on/off knob is secure. The tuning dial is is excellent condition with no cracks no warping, no missing ink, smudges, or rub-off on dial lettering. The tuning dial works fine no slipping no sticky spots.
DIAL LIGHT: Dial light works and lights up brightly. Replaced with long life LED warm white.
CLOCK: no clock
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! This radio is a good player. Tunes in loudly to stations with no humming or buzzing. 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 unless you operate near modern megahertz devices. The power cord and plug are in excellent working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. Comes from non-smoking, mature, clean, professional environment.
BACKING BOARD: No backing board. Not designed with one.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 11" x 6" x 8" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 6 lbs 10 oz
COLOR: Brown swirly marbly Bakelite
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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: 1940s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier