Alligator Fashionista 1949 RCA Victor Model 9-BX-56 AM Portable Vacuum Tube Radio Excellent Condition! Sounds Great!
DESCRIPTION: Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Philco in 1950 in excellent physical condition. Rare color and rare model. Portable radio.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations around the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original molded brown swirly plastic. All original factory molded colors and alligator texture through and through. The alligator part is not a covering. It is molded plastic texture. Not repainted no touch up no over spray. No chips, or major scratches. The top handle solid gold colored steel or brass. Gold color metal trim pieces are in excellent condition. Tuning dial clear cover is in excellent condition with no cracks no hazing or major scratches. Center gold metal decorative disc is missing. Bottom gold color metal rails legs are in excellent condition. Back cover is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, major scratches, or broken hinges.
DIAL LIGHT: No dial light not designed with one. But can be added for an extra charge.
KNOBS: Factory original volume and tuning knobs are in excellent condition. The tuning dial works fine no slipping or sticky spots. Tuning and volume knobs are matching, excellent condition. Both are operationally excellent.
POWER CORD: Original power cable is securely attached no breaks, splits, or exposed wiring. Stores inside radio battery cavity when not in use.
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. Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt to ensure static-free performance. 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.
BATTERIES: Battery size for this radio is no longer available through major retail stores. There are battery reproduction companies that may build batteries which fit.
BACKING BOARD: Color molded back cover is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or major scratches, and no broken hinges.
HINGES: Back cover hinges are in excellent condition with not broken, cracked, or chipped mounts or hinges.
FACTORY LABELS AND STICKERS: No missing internal factory labels. Readable factory printing.
PROVENANCE:PROVENANCE: Previous owner identity is not known. 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, or pets. Was probably used in or near the kitchen for much of its life.
COLOR: brown swirly with alligator texture
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 11" x 5" x 8" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 5lbs 6oz
ADD BLUETOOTH: See pricing and info here
ADD Smart Speaker: See pricing and info here
ADD DIAL LIGHT: See pricing and info here
Webpage menu of upgrade services here
Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: plastic
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