1959 TAUPE MIDGET ALRAD Japanese Post War Tube AM Radio! It's Rad!
COLOR: Taupe and white
YOUTUBE VIDEO here. I live in rural Connecticut and there's only one radio station that comes in loud and clear depending on the day.
DESCRIPTION: This little tube radio from the ruins of Japan post WWII speaks volumes about the perseverance of its people. Likewise, the Surfcouf below captures the off kilter french perspective that defies reason but manages to surpass your expectations. The Surcouf is 1955. Both come from shell-shocked countries of the period. I don't see any difference, do you? Ok, discuss. BTW, the little black pill on the side is an Amazon Echo Dot. It's modern day American. This is what a country that won the war manages to produce after 60 years of manufacturing and technological supremacy. Hmmm. You mean that's a radio too? Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Alrad in 1959-60 time frame in Japan in excellent+ physical and working condition. Cabinet is original molded taupe and white color. All original factory molded urea plastic. A hard and brittle plastic that predates modern poly carbonate plastics. No repaints. No touch-ups. No overspray. No cracks, chips, or major scratches anywhere! This radio is over 55 years old! The tuning dial works fine. I decided not to replace the little paper and wax capacitors because this radio sounded fine. I thought the idea of original Japanese wax and paper capacitors that still work was as good as gold when you consider how the Japanese electronics industry evolved to today. The knobs are original and securely attached. The volume on off knob turns on with a definite click. The tubes are working fine. Yes, this is a Japanese tube radio! Can you believe it? 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. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. No fatigue by the interconnect. No exposed wiring.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 7" x 4" x 4.5" (l x w x h)
ADD BLUETOOTH MP3 for $99 more: See info here
ADD Amazon Echo Dot™ for $149 more. See info here
Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: plastic
Period: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier