Very nice restored Zenith 12S265. Beautiful veneer
Offered this time is another classic console, a 1938 Zenith 12S265 shutter dial in its original finish. This radio plays great and looks beautiful, with some particularly sweet veneer.
While it's not a 100 percent untouched, perfect example (see description below) it looks great. This sensitive, great-sounding 12-tube chassis has been thoroughly restored electronically.All paper/wax caps and electrolytics have been replaced, as well as all resistors more than 10 percent out of spec. The four-section candohm was replaced, the belts were replaced, and the power cord was replaced with a new one and topped with a vintage bakelite plug.
High wattage resistance was added to the AC line to keep this set operating at about 108-115 VAC, about 12 volts lower than today's AC. That will prolong the life of the delicate original Zenith transformer.The shutter dial mechanism was lubricated and oiled, and opens and closes freely and smoothly. The leaves are in great shape. In fact, the entire chassis is in excellent clean condition. The motor drive works as it should.
The set comes with a NOS 6E5 eye tube, which is very bright. The 6T5 that came with this set is dim, but does work.
All other tubes test strong. The 12S265 stamp on the chassis is very clear; same for the one on the cabinet.
This set was aligned properly and is quite loud with its push pull 6V6 output tubes and 12 speaker in excellent condition. Likewise, it gets excellent shortwave reception at night with a long wire antenna, particularly after 9:30 p. Just be sure to keep this out of circuits that contain RF interference, like lines that have computer charging cubes, plasma TVs etc plugged into them. The acoustic adapter slides in and out smoothly. Also, the knobs are all original and in excellent shape as well. All knobs turn smoothly and work well. At some point in its life the previous owner dropped something heavy right onto the front left edge of the cabinet, leaving a three-inch ding. It stuck out like a sore thumb but the rest of the cabinet was beautiful so I had it repaired. Most of the damaged wood was intact (just pushed in).I had a furniture restorer here in Rhode Island blend in the broken piece as best he could and top the area with toned lacquer to match. While it's not an invisible repair, it is pretty darn good and to me is pretty much a non-issue. It's not a distraction and the repair is pretty much unnoticeable at a glance.
I tried to take many different pix in different light, to show it. Apart from that, the cabinet retains its original finish and grille cloth. Like many 265s, the cloth is pulling up about 1 from the bottom.
I chose to leave it rather than replace. It's original and looks fine; hard to notice. The interior of the cabinet retains its original blue finish.
I have to add that this radio has some sweet veneer on the front panel and on the pillars. It really is classy and rich. There are a few scratches here and there, a tiny veneer chip at left rear, and finish loss at the bottom from bing scuffed by generations of passing feet : but they're to be expected over 78 years of life.
Overall, the cabinet is beautiful. There will be some assembly required in putting the set back together, but it's pretty simple and I will guide you through the process. It's a beautiful classic. And check out my feedback; I take pride in everything I sell and stand behind my work. Watch a video of the set playing.
The item "Very nice restored Zenith 12S265. Beautiful veneer" is in sale since Saturday, July 11, 2015. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1930-49".
The seller is "bottletooth1" and is located in Bristol, Rhode Island. This item can be shipped to United States.