Scored a CTC 9 locally!

[Eric H]

It appears to be a model 210-CK-85, the "Anniversary" model according to Ed Reitan's Site.

It's complete except for the CRT cup but the cabinet is a bit rough.
At some point in the dim past someone covered it with hideously ugly contact paper, all shabby, no chic. Also the top has some blisters in the veneer, it looks solid other than that though.

It still has the original 1959 21CYP22 installed and it tested quite weak, even 9 volts wouldn't bring it all the way up, however a gentle cleaning and a very light restore on the red gun brought all three guns up to like new with a long life test. I don't know how well it'll hold up but it's encouraging.

Chassis looks clean from what I can see through the back.

Got this for $50 figuring even if it's just a parts set it's worth that.


What it should look like:


What it does look like:

[mstaton]

That's some hideous wallpaper!

[Eric H]

Now that you mention it, it might be wallpaper, I was thinking contact paper but maybe not.

Does anyone know what type of finish this set had, Photo or real veneer?

[sampson159]

ouch!i love the style of this set.peel that and lets see some wood!great,great score and this is not a parts set.its a restoration.it deserves its dignity

[kramden66]

Even if you have to hook a brightener to it it should look ok , its not like your going to be running it 5 or 6 hours a day , I have a couple color brighteners that are collecting dust , so for $50 even with the wallpaper it was well worth it

[hi_volt]

Very nice score. Definitely a "restore" set, and the price was right. Looking forward to seeing what the set looks like under the contact paper.

[John Marinello]

You should have asked if they still had the matching drapes...

[Sandy G]

Whoever did that deserves a good Kicking...

[Steve D.]

The more I look at the photo of the top, It looks like paint rather than wallpaper. In any case stripping the paint/paper could reveal, hopefully, a solid wood underneath that could be refinished. Not sure if this particular model used hardwood or fiberboard cabinets.

-Steve D.

[Eric H]

On closer inspection it is paint.
The cabinet feels like fiberboard, probably with a faux finish that wouldn't survive stripping. The only cure would be Veneering it.

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by Eric H

On closer inspection it is paint.
The cabinet feels like fiberboard, probably with a faux finish that wouldn't survive stripping. The only cure would be Veneering it.

Eric,

Normally wouldn't recommend this, but if stripping and light sanding is successful and you have a smooth fiberboard result. How about spraying the cabinet w/primer and a high gloss black paint. Of course first removing all items/trim and carefully masking other areas. Like me, you live in So. Ca. and the weather is warm enough right now. Paint in a well ventilated area. Just a suggestion.

-Steve D.

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by Steve D.

Eric,

Normally wouldn't recommend this, but if stripping and light sanding is successful and you have a smooth fiberboard result. How about spraying the cabinet w/primer and a high gloss black paint. Of course first removing all items/trim and carefully masking other areas. Like me, you live in So. Ca. and the weather is warm enough right now. Paint in a well ventilated area. Just a suggestion.

-Steve D.

Steve, I have thought about that, might look good, or maybe I could apply a "Heywood Wakefield" type of Limed Oak Lacquer.
Sometimes Fiberboard can soak up paint like a sponge leaving a rough looking finish, perhaps Primer or Sealer is the trick to fix that.

Here's a shot of my Wynnwood after painting it, Black Lacquer is the original finish on this set, it really sets off the Brass accents, some of which are not reinstalled in this photo.

[Carmine]

There was a guy here who restored a set using silver paint to make it look like a newer model. You probably won't fool anyone with that football-shaped screen, but it's another idea!

[ChrisW6ATV]

Nice find, Eric!

That finish IS hideous. I like the veneer idea the most. The cabinet is beyond a restoration to original condition, so you could end up with a better-than-new cabinet that would be near the original color if I understand what is possible with veneers.

[Eric H]

Got the set in the house and started giving it a look.
I found a repair tag inside with an address in (maybe) South Gate, the City Initials are SG and that seems to be a good match.

The location is an Apartment Complex but it may have been houses back in 1959.

Brought the set up on the Variac, (seller told me he had plugged it in and got nothing.) at around 80 volts I got some sound and the Horiz oscillator kicked in so I bumped it up to 90 volts and got high voltage and light on the screen. The CRT was so dead originally it probably wouldn't have lit, and by the way it held up great overnight, hooked the Beltron back up and all three guns shot up to full emissions very quickly, the life test is about 12-14 seconds before they even start to drop off so I think the CRT will be useable.

The chassis is remarkably clean and it's a CTC9A.

A finding of note, the "Artists" who painted it also signed their work!
Check out the last picture.