Found a CTC4 in sad shape

[radiotvnut]

First off. I'm waiting on the battery to charge so I can take some pictures of this poor thing. In the meantime, prepare your stomach for what you will see.

I went back to that man's house that I got some sets from a couple of months ago. He asked me if I wanted a 27" metal tube B/W console. I saw the TV in question under an old, caved in shed with stuff piled on top of it and all around it. My intent was to take it just to not hurt his feelings and strip it. When I got to it, I noticed it was a CTC4 color set!

Now, the bad part: The cabinet is falling apart from years of moisture. The neck of the CRT is busted off. The back cover is missing. Some knobs are missing. The chassis looks complete but there is some rust on it.

Even though it looks like trash; I couldn't leave it to get torched.

I'll post pictures soon.

[Chad Hauris]

You'll probably be able to still get it going with a new CRT and new capacitors...you may be able to salvage the CRT bezel and other parts and install them in a new cabinet. I got a Zenith set which looked like it had been left outside for years and the chassis was totally rusted...salvaged the CRT bezel, put into a new cabinet and it still worked fine!
Also we have an RCA theatre amp which had been through a fire and was doused with rainwater for 20 years...new capacitors and tubes and it still worked. All transformers were still good. These old chassis can often take a lot of abuse and still be salvageable.

[truetone36]

You should be able to save it. I dragged a CTC-16 out of a barn in the same shape. Broken CRT neck, Rusty chassis, and in fact the cabinet started to fall apart as I was unloading the set. I managed to find another cabinet, but that's as far as I've gotten with it so far. It's in storage right now 'cause I don't have room at home for it now. Believe it or not I've brought this set across country through 4 moves.


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[radiotvnut]

Here are some pictures of the CTC4. I really couldn't get any better pictures where it's currently sitting. I had to sneak it in past my mother so she wouldn't give me another lecture about bringing home more garbage. I'll post some pictures of the chassis as soon as I can.

[truetone36]

That's in better shape than my CTC-16 was in when I pulled it out of the barn where it had been for 20 years or so. You may be able to save the cabinet on that set. It seems to have delaminated somewhat, but appears to be holding together. Redoing the cabinet will definitely take some time but it can be done. Recapping is of course doable. The only thing that may be problematic is finding a CRT. That set uses a 21AXP22, doesn't it? That's where I am on my set, I haven't found a good 21FJP22 yet. That CTC-4 may be a time-consuming project, but believe me, it'll be well worth it.


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[radiotvnut]

My neighbor says he'll help me with the cabinet; but, I'm putting it on hold until a suitable CRT comes along. I believe I can use the newer type CRT with the bonded safety glass? I wonder how hard it will be to find a back cover? Really, that's the least of my worries at the moment. I can make one from a newer console back if necessary.

[kx250rider]

That's a great find in 2008! I don't think there will be many more forthcoming. The cabinet is a bit sad as you say, but at least it's a fairly simple cabinet. I think the value of a CTC-4 warrants putting some money into having a cabinetmaker rework it. With new mahogany paneling and a set of legs, it will be very presentable.

I got a GE 15" 15CL100 color set in similar shape a long time ago, and had a cabinet built for it, using only some of the original trim pieces and the structural frame. It is such a good job that (a nameless AK member) had a discussion with me in the 80s about whether it had really been rebuilt or if I was making it up

Charles

[John Folsom]

I have seen the 15CL100 Charles spoke of, which resides in the collection of a "stealth" collector on the west coast, and you would never know it was not an original cabinet. What a great job, Charles! So don't despair over the CTC-4 cabinet, it can be brought back! While i have not done so myself, it should be reasonably straightforward to substitute a 21" glass CRT for the metal bell 21AXP22 CRT used in the CTC-4. 'Course, best thing would be to find a 21AXP22. Good luck!

[truetone36]

I think you can sub a 21FJP22 or a 21FBP22 in this set.


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[radiotvnut]

Just so I'll know what I'm looking at, what's the going rate on suitable tubes for this type set?

[jpdylon]

I would expect to pay around 2-300 dollars for a good 21" crt

I would try to find a FJP with cataracts. They will go for less because of the work needed to get the bonded face off. However, you don't need that in the CTC4 anyways...

Just my .02

[bgadow]

Interestingly, complete 60s roundies (CTC-12, 15, 16 especially) will sometimes go unsold on ebay and many have perfectly good picture tubes. It's ashame to have to part one out but if it saves a CTC-4 it's worth it.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bgadow

Interestingly, complete 60s roundies (CTC-12, 15, 16 especially) will sometimes go unsold on ebay and many have perfectly good picture tubes. It's ashame to have to part one out but if it saves a CTC-4 it's worth it.

That's true, usually the combos. I had a working ctc-15 combo for sale for nearly 6 months before it finally sold on craigslist, the guy that bought it put it on ebay a few months later, he did eventually sell it, but only for about $30, probably less than what just the 21FJP22 by itself would have sold for.

[vintagecollect]

...

[RetroHacker]

Nice find. That set deserves to be saved, if at all possible. I'm undertaking the restoration of a CTC4 as well. You can definitely install a 21FJP22/FBP22 in this set. The tube in mine was replaced in the 70's with a 21FBP22. You don't need a tube with a bonded safety glass, since the set already has one. (although you could install one, if you wanted to). The set has purity magnets in the tube mounting frame, they go all around the perimiter of the tube. They're the things with the knobs that look like some sort of clamps. When installing a metal cone tube, you need to use those magnets to align the purity. For a glass tube, you must back them all out as far as they will go.

Good luck on that, and keep us posted. Hopefully your flyback is good. Mine is a little iffy, although it seems OK right now. Anyone know where I can get a spare?

I remember that CT100 cabinet. That was Kamakari, right? What ever happened with that? Wasn't he in touch with the police about it?

-Ian