Espresso Brown 1952 Zenith Owl Eyes Model J616 AM Vacuum Tube Radio Great Sounding! Excellent Condition!
DESCRIPTION: The much sought after Owl Eyes among Zenith designs! Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Zenith in 1952 in excellent working and physical condition.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Beautiful factory original brown molded Bakelite radio. Original molded Bakelite cabinet are no chips, no major scratches. There is a small crack by one of the bottom screws. All original factory molded colors through and through. Not repainted not touched up not over sprayed. The front gold metal fascia tuning and clock surround trim is good condition faded but not peeling. Most pof the numbers are intact and sharp.
KNOBS: All knobs are original and securely attached clean. Volume and tuning knobs are missing center gold metal inserts. Three little brown clock function knobs are original, matching, excellent condition and securely attached. The tuning dial works fine no slipping no sticky spots. The tuning dial pointer is in excellent condition. Tuning dial attachment post is partiually cracked, functional, and securely attached.
CLOCK: Clock works and keep accurate time. Clock motor is silent no humming no buzzing no ticking noises. Clock and alarm set time works. Alarm works. Wake to radio and buzzer or wake to radio only. Both work. Sleep timer works. Clock painted face is flaking with small pin pricks.
DIAL LIGHT: Power indicator light works but it is tiny.
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! Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt to ensure static-free performance. 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. The antique radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection.
POWER CABLE: Brand new replacement power cable and safety polarized plug is in excellent working condition no breaks no exposed wires no brittleness.
BACKING BOARD: The original backing board is still present which is incredible because it's only held on by 4 t-pins. The backing board attachment corners are in fair condition compared with other Zeniths we've seen. No missing bottom factory labels.
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.
HEAT SHIELD: Heat shield has been fabricated and mounted underneath internally to minimize heat damage.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 13" x 6" x 5.5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 4 lbs 14 oz
COLOR: brown
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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: 1950s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier