GE E50 Vintage Radio Repair

I can recall my father making such splices with friction tape and string, even on lamp cords and such. We once rented a farm and the house was wired for power, however there was no power in the upstairs bedroom which was shared between me and my two sisters. My sisters got the bed, I had a bedspring on the floor with old coats and blankets piled on to form a mattress of sort. Dad wanted us to have power so he drilled a hole in the floor of our room next to the wall, then spliced three lamp cords together to reach from an outlet on the living room wall, up to the bedroom, the spliced on another long drop cord and put a single light with a chain switch in the middle of the bedroom. We would leave the light on in the morning, come down stairs and unplug it till bedtime when we would again plug it in so we could see to climb the stairs. My sisters always went up first, got ready for bed then called me to come up. Nice privacy there. This worked well until my sisters decided to paint the room since it was bare sheet rock. Well they went out in the toolshed and found a gallon of paint left over from the previous residents. They painted the ceiling and walls, only problem, the paint was made to paint old tractors, it was a very dark glossy green. Man that cut down on the power of the 30 watt bulb dad had furnished us, eventually he got us a 100 watt and we could again see but the glare off those walls were horrid! Ah growing up in the 50's, man that was the life, when we would shout "It's A FREE COUNTRY!" and mean it. Sad to see today that we now need permission to enter a store and must cover our faces with ridiculous masks. It is amazing how quickly freedom can disappear. Looks like the Chinese have won WWIII without firing a shot, our nation is quickly going from a free nation to a communist dictatorship overnight. Once President Trump leaves the White House the conversion will indeed be complete.

That's the way my 1937 GE F63 is. Super sensitive! Even with no antenna.Very well built sets. Before GE got cheap.

Nice, great radio That cord repair? I have a 1937 Toastmaster toaster with a fabric covered asbestos cord set that after damn near electocuting me, I finally got around to replacing. The cord did enter the toaster through a Bakelite feed through but the strain relief was actually string wrapped around the individual wires and then the fabric of the round cord. I could invision a person who's sole job was to terminate these at the McGraw electric company in Elgin Illinois. I did my best to replicate this when replacing this cord with a silicone/ fabric wrapped three wire cord and grounding the chrome steel frame housing. Thanks shango066 for a great year of videos from you. They are always informative and entertaining.

Incredible how it produced that sound with good sensitivity with original components from the 30s! Amazing stuff

I goggle this gentleman. I had no idea how big he is. Very well know for his content. For his hard work and dedication to the history of radio and television, he truly should be given a YouTube award for his videos. He's the Real McCoy! Thank you

This radio has a strong personality. Amazing that it worked needing so many things fixed. It has a strong will to live. I love your video's. Have a Happy and Healthy 2019.

I bought this same radio in unrestored condition for $10 from a place I get radios called Ham and HiFi. Been slowly repairing it. My radio was solid black it almost looked like bakelite it was so smooth even though its a wood case. Thanks for sharing this video.

Wow that sensitivity is amazing. If I wouldn't have seen it on video I wouldn't have believed that that was recorded during the day. It sounds more like short wave radio in the middle of Europe, in the middle of the night, in the 1970s. Happy New Year!

Happy NewYear! Excellent video, keep up the good work. The cloth tape on the line cord splice is friction tape. This tape was used with rubber tape, and friction on top. Sixty years ago black vinyl replace it.

Shango all the best for 2019, and what a beautiful design on that radio! this radio deserves a full restoration, with new paint and full cabinet repair

Happy New Year, and thanks for the wonderful entertainment. You have given us much pleasure in this house.....Well you have...

That Radio is a real EYE CATCHER indeed, I like that color combo!! That splice job is quite SUPER really, real attention to detail with that job!!! Nice old radio really!! I agree with trying to fix up the finish on this radio !!  It would really be an eye dazzler then !!Happy New Year to you and your family !   John Bellas  KC2UVN

The best thing about all your videos to me is the running commentary with the dry sense of humor. You have a Happy New Year too!

Thanx shango!!! hope you have a great new year!!!!

What a rare find, indeed! Such a cool piece. Thanks for sharing!

High quality, before GE cut every corner they ever could starting in the 1950s.

Thank you again for all of the time and effort you put into these interesting and educational videos. I watch every single one of them, the longer the better. I even started watching your mine videos this weekend. Can't imagine what those guys went through to dig all those things out. Just being in there looks real sketchy. Wish you and all of your mine exploring buddies a happy and safe new year.

Happy New Year Shango. Thanks for your dedication to the hobby, your humor, and education to the masses.

Best wishes for 2019 and beyond. May you have many interesting, rewarding projects, and may the rest of us be lucky enough to keep seeing them!

Thanks Shango for all the excellent videos from 2018 and all the best for 2019...............................................Berni