Duplicating my 16GP4 plea!!!

[Chris K]

If anyone out there has any info on how I can get my hands on one of these...I've done the standard search alerts on FB Marketplace, local listings, eBay and got in touch with the ETF et al and I posted my same pleas on the Antique Radio Forum. Actually got a hit from someone who said he had one and local pickup would work but he couldn't have been further away from me on the other side of the USA.

Please think of me my VK friends! This is a project on a TV I absolutely love. I bought this RCA "Highland" model TV years ago from a single owner family. I tested the CRT at that time and it tested good for cutoff and emissions. I decided to delay restoration because I wanted to have the time to do it right and comprehensively. I did the restoration but, unfortunately, the 16GP4 had deteriorated over the 4 years I had it and...heartbreak. Lousy, weak picture. So another wait begins. If you happen to get a hint about one and don't particularly want it for yourself, please let me know.

[Jeff]

If you really want to find one that bad, put up a ransom of several thousand dollars. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has one new in the box, but they're keeping quiet.

[John Marinello]

Did you test the CRT again? I know some give the metal tubes a bad rap, but if a 60 y-o tube tests good, then they should test the same 4 years later... Unless it was kept out in the barn...

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by John Marinello

Did you test the CRT again? I know some give the metal tubes a bad rap, but if a 60 y-o tube tests good, then they should test the same 4 years later... Unless it was kept out in the barn...

Yes it has zero cutoff and emissions in the bad zone. I even gave it a shot with my Sencore Super Mack. Came back to life for a day or 2 but then back to very weak.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Jeff

If you really want to find one that bad, put up a ransom of several thousand dollars. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has one new in the box, but they're keeping quiet.

Hey I'd be willing to pay that if it tests like NOS.

[Penthode]

What are you testing it with?

[John Marinello]

Originally Posted by Chris K

Hey I'd be willing to pay that if it tests like NOS.

I actually have NOS

[Chris K]

Sencore Super Mack but it’s in service in the tv. That’s my frame of reference for it being weak. It tests with low emissions and no cutoff on the Sencore.

[Chris K]

There’s another KCS47 tv about 35 miles from my home but the seller doesn’t know if the tube is any good or anything about the TV. I’d need to buy the set. He’s asking $300 on FB Marketplace. Long drive just to test a CRT only to find it’s as bad or worse than my tv.

[Kevin Kuehn]

Originally Posted by Chris K

There’s another KCS47 tv about 35 miles from my home but the seller doesn’t know if the tube is any good or anything about the TV. I’d need to buy the set. He’s asking $300 on FB Marketplace. Long drive just to test a CRT only to find it’s as bad or worse than my tv.

Oh wow you're kidding me, you wouldn't drive 70 miles round trip to test the CRT? That doesn't sound very dedicated.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Kevin Kuehn

Oh wow you're kidding me, you wouldn't drive 70 miles round trip to test the CRT? That doesn't sound very dedicated.

I've driven at least 240 miles or so to test a crt in a zenith porthole

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Kevin Kuehn

Oh wow you're kidding me, you wouldn't drive 70 miles round trip to test the CRT? That doesn't sound very dedicated.

Especially since this is one of the ones you linked me to. I feel many shames!

[Kevin Kuehn]

Bottom line is you'll never know what you're missing if you don't check it out. And for what they're asking it had better include a decent testing CRT. A harsh reality is there's a minuscule market for this vintage of TV consoles. And after several weeks of no interest a smart seller would be willing to negotiate. But if it doesn't test good absolutely walk away. Or if you wanted it for the other parts you can make a low ball offer. Or tell them you'll take the innards for your time and effort of removing them from the cabinet.
The seller can then make a small fortune offering the empty cabinet to some repurposing artist.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Kevin Kuehn

Bottom line is you'll never know what you're missing if you don't check it out. And for what they're asking it had better include a decent testing CRT. A harsh reality is there's a minuscule market for this vintage of TV consoles. And after several weeks of no interest a smart seller would be willing to negotiate. But if it doesn't test good absolutely walk away. Or if you wanted it for the other parts you can make a low ball offer. Or tell them you'll take the innards for your time and effort of removing them from the cabinet.
The seller can then make a small fortune offering the empty cabinet to some repurposing artist.

It's a fine looking TV...at least in the photos. I like the darker woods in the one I have so a tube swap isn't an issue for me.

[MuzzcoVW]

Originally Posted by Chris K

There’s another KCS47 tv about 35 miles from my home but the seller doesn’t know if the tube is any good or anything about the TV. I’d need to buy the set. He’s asking $300 on FB Marketplace. Long drive just to test a CRT only to find it’s as bad or worse than my tv.

Long drive!?!? Seriously? Last year I drove 1900 miles in two days to pick up a set I'd spent decades searching for. I wish I could find more stuff that close. IMO it's well worth the gamble