Older Than Ira/Way Older Than Ira! RCA Radiola 33!

I just happen to run into a super old radio from 1929 in an old 1880 building I'm working in!! It's the RCA Radiola 33!! It's in rough shape but all of the insides are there!! This I believe came in some legs but I'll have to look closer at this model. It uses external speakers and just guess what it cost back in 1929?!! $77.50!!😮📻📻
My goal is to in 10-15 years is restore this crazy thing!!
It weighs a ton heavier than my WX-1!!!😮😮😎

Nothing is older than Redbenjoe, he was ancient at the 2008 sunshine mix lol....congrats anyway dude

Interesting project. Update when you get it all done.

Very cool! Taking inflation into account, it would be around $1,100 in today's dollars.

It uses external speakers and just guess what it cost back in 1929?!! $77.50!!


Very cool! Taking inflation into account, it would be around $1,100 in today's dollars.

Taking Ira's age into account :hoveround: he would be worth around $77.50!! Give or take a few boomboxes!

Yeah before that radio IRA had to use smoke signals.

Wow! What a great discovery.
Just need a lid,speaker and legs stand.
But you GOT THE KNOBS! Sweet!

Does it have a proper line in or do you have to press record on the tape deck?

Seriously though, it looks like a serious piece of kit. Looks almost commercial grade.

Definitely do a restoration thread - should be very interesting.

jimmyjimmy19702010 said:

Seriously though, it looks like a serious piece of kit. Looks almost commercial grade.

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Was thinking the same. Maybe was a sound system for a warehouse or department store.

Certainly worth saving. Nice Score.

Now, you need a lid, handle, dual antenna's, 8 inch woofers.....

Lasonic TRC-920 said:

Seriously though, it looks like a serious piece of kit. Looks almost commercial grade.

Click to expand...

Was thinking the same. Maybe was a sound system for a warehouse or department store.

Certainly worth saving. Nice Score.

Now, you need a lid, handle, dual antenna's, 8 inch woofers.....

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And probably around 40 D cells to run that pig!

Lasonic TRC-920 said:

Seriously though, it looks like a serious piece of kit. Looks almost commercial grade.

Click to expand...

Was thinking the same. Maybe was a sound system for a warehouse or department store.

Certainly worth saving. Nice Score.

Now, you need a lid, handle, dual antenna's, 8 inch woofers.....

Click to expand...

Chris that's amazing!! Yes it came from a department store clothing store then it was a shoe store.
The tuner string is broke but not a bad re strung in this one and the tuner dialthing is cracked brittle plastic.
The wires are all there, 1 tube is cracked,all others are there. Yes I'll start a thread but it may be a year! So many things going on.
You wouldn't believe how heavy this thing is!!😮

Now I just hope I haven't offended Ira,I didn't mean anything to offensive but the oldness is real-1929!! What a year.😎🎼🎶📻📻. Thanks for all the cool replies.

You guys won't believe this but yes there are 2 RCA jacks in the back of this!!😮😮📻📻

Ok here's an update,just did some mild cleaning and vacuumed the inside. I believe it will work again with some work and a few parts but I'll have to examine closey and do some testing before I ever plug it in.
Great fun project.😎🎼🎶📻📻

OLD GUYS RULE

= dibs !!

redbenjoe said:

OLD GUYS RULE

= dibs !!


damn right they do

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haha

Ghettoboom767 said:

Ok here's an update,just did some mild cleaning and vacuumed the inside. I believe it will work again with some work and a few parts but I'll have to examine closey and do some testing before I ever plug it in.
Great fun project.

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Be extra careful! We are dealing with high voltages!

Dont restore, just clean it and leave it as is.
collectors they like it that way, for these ol radios.

I'm saying restore the inside by making it work again.
Yes Royce high voltage when plugged in!! And yes I know those caps will hold voltage long time-yes I'm careful!!😎📻📻

Ghettoboom767 said:

I'm saying restore the inside by making it work again.
Yes Royce high voltage when plugged in!! And yes I know those caps will hold voltage long time-yes I'm careful!!

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Jeff, I know you know about it, but so easy to make a mistake. I've been through that a couple of times. It hurts.....a lot... oh my!

JVC Floyd said:

Yeah before that radio IRA had to use smoke signals.

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Made me chuckle. Needed that. Thx