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It always brings a smile to my face when I see an old sticker on a piece of electronics that has the Name & phone # of a place that is probably no longer in business.As I was looking through some pictures I saved on my Computer,I saw this one with the old sticker on the back of a console that made me wonder if other's,sorta got a smile on there face because it brought back memories of a by gone era.I really don't think I am alone on this although not all memories might not be good ones.I wonder who would answer if I called that phone #?By the way I live in WI.but am tempted to call that #!
Follow Ups:
Does anybody remember Radio Row in lower Manhattan? The blocks were torn down in the early 60s to make room for the World Trade Center Towers.
...it would not have surprised me to find the rest of the bus somewhere in there.
Later Gator,
Dave
Leeds Electronics closed their Brooklyn Location in the fall, just in the last few weeks they reopened in the Bronx, though I think they're still sorting through things. Haven't been to the new one, but the old one was something special.
Dave
If Leeds didn't carry a part or couldn't get it,it wasn't invented.I remember getting a 750 watt modulation transformer from them in the early 90s new in the crate for 225usd. It was for a Gates AM auxiliary transmitter for KYW in Philly..They had it in stock since the mid 70s and I was going to build me a 75AM phone station but I ended up trading it for a Hallicrafters BC-610E.
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
Do you have address and phone info. for Leeds' new location? They are a VERY valuable resource.
Eli D.
I don't have address info but the number is the same as it was before, and is also listed on the website under contact. At the moment it is by appointment only, but my understanding is that is temporary. I hope to drop by in the next few weeks.
Dave
The House of Sound - It stood just off of route 40 west of Baltimore (Catonsville) in the 70s and 80s. I auditioned Luxman tube and SS amps there driving a pair of Bell Klipsch speakers.
When I told the sales guy I owned a Quad 405 amp, he said keep it. That was in 1979 and I still own the Quad.
sometimes on the inside, though.
I had a Dynaco SCA-35. The little integrated one. I had that amp all through my childhood, young adult hood, the party dazes and even part of college.
One day it needed a tube or something???? So I brought it over to the only remaining repair shop. One week later when he told me to pick it up - the store was closed and empty.
From the load of stuff I remember being in that shop when I dropped that stereo off, I wasn't the only one that lost out.
I think that's why I always have a soft spot in my heart for dynaco gear.
charles
I have a Ampex model 1260 in mint cond from around 1963
might consider selling it {also have the amplified speakers] two
I do need the power cord and speaker\amplifier cables.
Trying to locate them . please let me kmow where I can order them
Thanks . Frank
Thanks for that story!I lost an old tube radio on account of a fellow who up and died suddenly that had a repair shop for many,many years in our area!
He was the go to audio guy where I came from. My introduction to high end audio (I already had an uncle who had a good system, but I was just a music guy up to that point) and I was soon able to recognize the differences between components- not just big and small speakers!
He offered great, reliable service on just about ANY audio component and would give freely of his wisdom; even if it meant losing some work. He even taught me how to service my Nakamichi LX-3 at his own bench (needed new belts, as it would stay in record mode even if the play button was engaged), and introduced me to record cleaning via his personally owned Keith Monks RCM.
Unfortunately, his shop (which was in the rather seedier east end of the town) was broken into twice over the space of two years. Soon after, he suffered a heart attack and had to close up his shop.
He now runs it out of his house (still sells the same products) by appointment only...
Dman
Analog Junkie
Only a few years ago one of our TVs developed what appeared to be a power supply problem. I found a local repair shop in nearby Danbury. To my delight, except for most of the items in for repair, it was just as I recalled "radio" repair shops of former times.
So some of them, at least, still exist. They used to do a good business on early color TVs, which needed frequent repair and adjustment.
The old timer running it immediately recognized the problem and promptly fixed it. There was an unclaimed Mac receiver on the shelf. Ummmmm.
I started a company to repair and install ALL electronics new and vintage, tube or SS as well as computers, antennas and anything electronic. Because I am rural and to cut costs I do not have a store/rent a space. Instead I go to the client at no charge. This seems to be working OK and really cuts overhead.
E
T
You can't argue with a bottom line. If your making money, you are doing it right!
Dave
Well its not a lot of business yet and therefore profits as well but its no more bills than just insurance/bond, forming an LLC, registering as a foreign LLC in neighboring states. All these start ups were less than $1K and less than $500 annually to upkeep. I couldn't say that with a $2-3K
monthly rent.
I'll have to spend more money on advertising although word of mouth is the best.
E
T
When I was a kid my great aspiration was to own a stereo store, or a repair shop. I remember going down to the local repair shop and, pulling up all my courage, telling the guy I wanted to work there - no go. Here in Portland, there is still at least one great shop, although no TVs that I'm aware of, http://fredsoundofmusic.com/. Not affiliated, but I've always loved the place. Bought my VPI Classic II there.
Almost forgot, and have to add... I remember my dad telling me that when he was a little boy he always wanted to either be a pin-setter at a bowling ally, or a switcher for a rail road. Well jobs, they come and they go. Sigh.
I worked at Clem's TV in Burlington VT, in the early 70's. Our business back then was still about 80% tube. Sure was a different world.
TV opened up a new era of home entertainment in the early 1950s. The market required local support for the less than reliable TVs. Outdoor antenna installations was a huge market too. And, a TV shop owner made a good living.
Now anyone can order a TV delivered to ones house from their house in a minute. The TVs are very reliable plus cable provides a great signal.
The only romance of that TV shop era left is........... you guessed it. High-end vintage stereo with repairs & upgrades. Let the hot rosin core solder smell continue. At my age it is like getting a hit from a powerful marianna joint.
Those TV's back then may have needed new tubes and some tuner cleaner now and then, but they lasted for decades. I can promise you nothing made today will last that long. Today stuff works fine right up till it is too costly to fix, assuming you can buy the parts. There are a few brands that "can be fixed" but most consumers won't spend the extra up front for that ability, nor down the road for repairs. So who can blame those that design for a "throw away" mentality.
Imagine we when we get that way about cars. Needs spark plugs....nah junk it because it makes more sense to buy new, with latest and greatest features.
I am not sure that is entirely true. This year, because of financial pressures, I have been DIYing my hose repairs. The HVAC in my house is over 10 years old, and I know that if I had a repairman out, they would be pitching for me to replace it. Fortunately, their are online resources for this stuff, and since my father raised me working on electrical equipment, I am very comfortable working with high voltage, and know all the safety procedures. It turns out this stuff is not that hard to fix. My AC just needed some contacts cleaned and tightened. The heater was a bigger job, needing a control board and a hot surface igniter, but under $200 in parts, saved me close to $1,000 in labor (lots of diagnostics). In both cases, even thought the repairs were small, I learned how the devises functioned and how to diagnose problems and fell confident, that if something else goes wrong I can deal with it. I just fixed my washing machine last night.
My point, which I am probably taking to long to make, is that this "throw away" stuff is often fixable. I have decided to take as my model, my parents and there entire generation, "the Greatest Generation". From taking on Fascism and Communism, to spear-heading the industrial revolution to the greatest prosperity the world has ever seen, they took what they had and they made it work. I want that "can-do" attitude, so I humbly walk in their shadow.
Dave
I'm a maintenance man at a hospital. My dad was a mechanic. Fixing things is what I do. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance on your home repairs.
There are certain items you might wish to have on hand for the AC.....basically the "start" componets.....current/potential relay, start/run caps, maybe a contactor. Oil your fan motors once a year. Clean your coils yearly. Replace filters often.
The "control board" is an example. Once upon a time everything on that board was able to be rebuilt individually. Now they stick it all on a PCB and make you buy the entire thing. That isn't too bad until they decide to obsolete it and you can no longer buy one.
I can promise you that most TV sets made today are not worth fixing. IMHO spend a bit more and buy a Samsung.
Thank you very much for the offer!
I figured one of the relays was bad on the control board, but it was cold outside, and my wife wanted it fixed fast! I kept the old board, and will do board work if I cannot get a new one. I suspect that wont be a problem, because the board I bought works on a number of different models and brands of heaters.
When I took the AC apart, I check the contactor for pitting, corrosion and stuck contacts. Everything looks good. I do not have an ESR meter, so I couldn't really tell if the start/run cap was bad (it had a large run cap with an axillary start cap), but it had no outward signs of leaking or bulging. I discharged the capacitor, and checked it with a resistance meter. It went to zero and then slowly climbed to maximum, so I figure, it was likely still good. When I got the thing running, it did not have any trouble spooling up. A friend of mine with more experience said that meant the cap was good.
I will be hosing down the condenser coil and oiling the fan motor in the spring. (Of course after I kill the power and test that it is dead. 220 will kill you quick!) Thanks! I did no know about lubing the fan motor. Is standard machine oil the thing to use?
I replaced the hot surface igniter with an OEM unit. The one on their looked like a thin piece of junk. It failed in about a week after I replaced the control board. (I should have checked it for bright spots!)Funny, when I first put the new one in, it didn't work. The inducer wasn't even spinning. The control board was flashing a code for a pressure switch, but I had tested it thoroughly. After I calmed my sense of panic I noticed that they turning wheel on the inducer has worn a hole in the in the vacuum line to the pressure switch. I trimmed and rerouted it and all was good. Whew!
I am trying to do the filters once am month, but I forget sometimes! Thanks again!
Dave
After nearly fifty years of repairing things I could write several textbooks. Again feel free to email if there is something in particular you would like explained.
I'm going to tell you that troubleshooting and fixing is a bit like being a detective and doctor. If you want to be good you need an understanding of how something works. In most machines there are "steps" that have to take place, and be proven, before the next step can take place. For example....mr. heater won't let you have flame untill you have "proven" air flow (generally with a pressure switch). Understanding these steps, and the parts that prove them, is key. You need an orderly methodology. You need to "prove" things yourself with test equipment. Too many guys guess and change parts at random. Not knowing the steps, the parts that prove the steps, and knowing how to use the right test equipment to verify these things, is the "mother of all evils".
It isn't that hard. You just have to have an interest. What you learn is transferable to your audio hobby. Once you understand how something works, the ways used to prove proper succession of steps....you will quickly see how many things could be vastly improved.....if they only had an extra sensor/part....and in many cases this could even lead to a self-diagnostic/smart system. I supppose I'm lucky that I get to see well designed stuff in the medical field but it ends up depressing me on how poorly engineered the household stuff is. And all for 50 bucks more worth of parts!
My father taught me to solder when I was in elementary school. I helped one of the older guys in the neighborhood tear down and rebuild an MGA when I was 14. I won't work on something until I fully understand how it works. After I fixed the furnace, I enjoyed watching it go through its cycle. I guess I am easily entertained! My wife even tolerated me explaining it to her!I know what you mean about sensors. I bought a code reader for my car (97 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC) that tells me precisely what's wrong and how to fix it. It cost about $60 (on sale) and was one of the best purchases I have ever made. It has saved me a bundle of money. It would be nice if every major appliance had that sort of sensor.
Dave
Edits: 02/13/15
I'm waiting for 3D television!
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
I remember watching that sow on our tube black and white TV. They had a show where Alice wanted to get a telephone, but Ralph thought it was too expensive. It must have bee reruns, because the final episode aired on 9/22/1956, which was before I was born.
Dave
Dave
These shows were made before most of us were born but you have to admit,I love Lucy,Andy Griffith,Leave it to Beaver,My Three sons and the Honeymooners are all timeless classics that will never die.
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
They will be watching them long after all of us are planted!
Dave
Thank's I loved that line too! I also hope you got the email I sent ya.
I did.
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
Just so happens you would get through to DEL-Mor TV.
selling and repairing audio-visual equipment
Same old phone number, a Verizon land line
Del-Mor TV
(302) 422-8534
1 Northeast 10th Street
Milford, DE 19963
Thank's so very much!Do you find it kind of fun or at least interesting when you see a sticker like that?
Still in business after all those years! That's cool to know!
I lived in Delaware for a while. Milford's changed a lot!My Uncle Jimmy used to own a very successful TV and stereo repair shop from the late 50's to late 70's. I remember seeing some VERY high end stuff sitting on those selves.
It is a time gone buy. I remember they would install TV antennas, home TV repair with his big tube box and he was always loaded with cash in hand. And had a biker slash hit man that worked with him. He apparently was Mob connected.
Forgot to add. We lived on Long Island in the Five towns. You know, the town they got the Goodfellas story from . Yep, that was me uncle Jimmy!
Edits: 02/11/15
Yeah I was just old enough to get in on the tail end of that era,back in the late 60's on through the 70's early 80's!I find it interesting when I am @ a local estate sale etc. and see a sticker like that on the back of something!Thanks for sharing your story!
I opened a TV/VCR/Camcorder service shop while I was student teaching.I used to fix TVS all the time in college and in the late 70s and early 80s there were tons of tube sets still but I didn't see any in the late 80s and early 90s.I still kept all my tube caddys from the late 70s even tho there are very few audio tubes..I had lots of Zenith and RCA modules tho.
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
Thanks for the story!Did you use stickers like that as well? To me it would be kind of fun to start a book collecting stickers or Business cards from that era.
Speaking of stickers, does anyone have a McIntosh amp with a Mac clinic sticker on it?
Nah
I had two techs working for me on flat rate we just used used repair tags.
I was procuring another degree in automotive electronics and emissions because I knew I was going to teaching in the automotive field and that's all we have in Michigan.I was a single dad raising a daughter so this paid the bills nicely.
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
"Call Mikey Samra for Expert Service"
"
"If it measures good and sounds bad, it is bad; if it measures bad and sounds good, you have measured the wrong thing."
- Daniel R. von Recklinghausen
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