Scored another box: MacDonald Instruments 06-33-63

[Mattinthebox]

Ok I've stepped out from proper introductions to get acquainted in general chat.

So if you read my intro you'll know how I found my way to this forum, otherwise I'm still a new guy here.

Anyways... I scored my first, a TRC-935, for FREE!! Missed out on a second box for $10, a TRC-931, & just scored another box yesterday for $10... it's not a jumbo box but its still "LOUD as all get out"...

Its a MacDonald Instruments, model: 06-33-63.
I saw a wiki that says it's an aka for a Telefunken CR100.
Anybody know any details about these? Seems to have alotta power but it's not a clean "hi-fidelity" sound by any means. It'll definitely rock across pretty much any job site, did I mention it's fricken LOUD?

As usual it needs a deep cleaning & a belt but other than that it works & for $10 I'll take that all day everyday & twice on Sunday!

W00t!

 

[T-STER]

Very nice! Not seen that one before but it looks like a Panasonic aka, whicj is a great thing. NIce score.

 

[JustCruisin]

Lets see those LEDs light up!

 

[Reli]

I have one, hope to paint it bronze one day. Not a grail by any means, but better built than any Lasonic.

Those LED's are badass, there is a 3-way switch to make them measure watts, VU, or tuning & battery.

 

[Mattinthebox]

Ya the led's are cool for sure...
It's definitely got some weight to it & its got alotta "guts" so to speak. big boards, lots of components inside. Definitely not no clock radio with pee-wee sound, it's got some decent amps although the heat sinks look a bit flimsy.

 

[Mattinthebox]

Here's a peek inside...

 

[Mattinthebox]

It's very modular & for those who don't particularly care for round grilles could almost certainly go with square grilles.

 

[Mattinthebox]

The case is pretty worn, even the chrome is worn away around the speaker rings.

Does anybody have a solution for re-chroming plastic parts yet?

Also I'm planning on repainting the case. I will always like these boomboxes silver in color but I'm thinking perhaps something different seeing how this isn't like a very rare box. I'm just not sure which way I wanna go at the moment. Does anybody have any opinion what might look good on this box?

I dig the "EVH" stripped box I've seen here but since the first "third" of this box from top down is the display, I don't think that would suit this box... Any ideas?

 

[Reli]

Either a gray, brown, or orange would suit that box nicely. But leave the grills silver.

 

[JustCruisin]

You could paint it any color, but if you aren't into bright colors like me..even black would look nice!
As for the chrome trim around the speaker rings, you could use a silver leafing or chrome paint pen..

 

[Mattinthebox]

Either a gray, brown, or orange would suit that box nicely. But leave the grills silver.

I was just thinkin' about that but I was going to go the other direction with the grilles.
I kinda felt like the silver washed out the speaker & made it look like a faded driver.

As for the chrome trim around the speaker rings, you could use a silver leafing or chrome paint pen..

Ya the silver leaf was exactly what I was thinking as an option. I've used the silver/chrome paints but I don't know if its the material or the pigment itself but they just cant achieve any level of shine & always look flat, even after being cleared.

I've never done any silver leaf personally, I'm sure that would need a sealer like a clear coat as well correct?
Where can silver leafing be bought at? hobby shop? Auto paint supply house? ... What kind of price tag comes with that?

I wonder if any of the modeler decal suppliers have figured out that wet transfer decals of chrome trim rings in different diameters or flat square/rectangular stock shapes would sell. At least then we'd have more realistic chrome options for the novice detailers that can't achieve a true chrome appearance with paint.

You'd think so since there's soooooo many restoration examples where chromed plastic parts were once used & replacements needed but nos or replacement parts are virtually unavailable.

I'm fortunate that ALL the chrome knobs on this box were done very well & still shine like jewelry.

 

[Reli]

Maybe try some chrome nail polish. Just have to make sure it goes on evenly.

 

[JustCruisin]

Silver leaf and chrome paint pens can be found at Michaels or Hobby Lobby, pretty cheap.. The silver leaf would need a clearcoat yes.. But, chrome paints get duller when you clear them like you mentioned.. I always paint and clear my boxes, then do the chrome trim last..
If you find chrome pinstripe tape the same width as your speaker rings, you might be able to get it to curve around those circles..

 

[JustCruisin]

The case is pretty worn, even the chrome is worn away around the speaker rings.

Does anybody have a solution for re-chroming plastic parts yet?

Also I'm planning on repainting the case. I will always like these boomboxes silver in color but I'm thinking perhaps something different seeing how this isn't like a very rare box. I'm just not sure which way I wanna go at the moment. Does anybody have any opinion what might look good on this box?

I dig the "EVH" stripped box I've seen here but since the first "third" of this box from top down is the display, I don't think that would suit this box... Any ideas?

I'll post these Blockbusters I painted, because they have a similar layout to yours.. Your tuning scale is printed orange, so an orange box would match..but you can do any color! Luckily, you can mask of the plates around the knobs and tape keys..
I paint the grilles semi-gloss black, and they pretty much disappear in front of a black speaker..
View attachment 22922
View attachment 22923

 

[Mattinthebox]

Damn, those candy colors look stellar.
It looks like I'm going to hafta dig out my air brushes & try my hand at doing something worthy as these.

 

[Mattinthebox]

Seems there was a few aka's of this box...

I found this one googling, looking for info.

It was on a Russian site, I believe, & I didn't know if linking is allowed here so I don't know who to give credit to but the box is a COBRA 425. It's identical in just about every aspect except for a few side inputs were much different.

 

[JustCruisin]

Damn, those candy colors look stellar.
It looks like I'm going to hafta dig out my air brushes & try my hand at doing something worthy as these.

Made any decisions what you're going to do on it?

 

[oldskool69]

NIce score on the Mac! Not too many out there.