Mid-1960s KLH Model Twenty-One table radio, freshly restored inside and out. It's a bit rare in that the cabinet is finished in one continuous and matching piece of walnut veneer, including the bottom!
This particular unit was in good operating condition as found, but cosmetically challenged and in need of a sonic upgrade. The end result is a radio that looks mint and sounds exactly the way it was designed to. The cosmetic restoration included:
-Removal of the dirty and shrunken original grill material
-Installation of new tan-colored, sonically transparent grill material
-Faceplate removal and cleaning
-Knob removal and cleaning
-Cleaned dirty power cord
-Replaced plug on power cord
-Old finish removed to expose bare wood
-Multiple coats of Tung Oil finish applied to bring out the natural wood grain
-New finish sealed with Howard Feed-n-Wax for protection and shine
-New feet
-Installation of new damping pillow inside cabinet to replace missing original pillow
The sound quality was OK prior to the work, but old capacitors and an out of spec transistor were causing some issues, like distortion. Bass response was also inadequate due to failed cabinet seals. Like almost all KLH products, this is an acoustic suspension design and requires a sealed cabinet for proper sound.
Sonic restoration included:
-New Nichicon/Panasonic electrolytic capacitors to replace all the originals
-Three new transistors for the amplifier section
-New cabinet seals to replace the failed foam originals (back plate and between backer plate and cabinet)
-Redoped porous speaker surround with the correct type and amount of sealer (for proper speaker response and cabinet seal)
-Replace missing rubber caps on the rear outputs
-New rubber dampers on internal support rods to prevent cabinet vibrations
-Cleaning of all controls with De-Ox-It to prevent scratchiness during operation
-Cleaning and lubrication of the tuner mechanism for smooth operation and tuning
-Cleaning rear RCA outputs for using external speaker
-Alignment of tuning dial
The radio now looks exceptional and sounds fantastic. It pulls in stations amazingly well using just the internal antenna (which is essentially the power cord), meaning that for all but distant stations you may not even need an additional antenna. The speaker and tuner RCA outputs have been tested and are in good working order.
The walnut cabinet on this example is in very fine condition, but it does have some very minor leftover blemishes/patina upon close inspection. The faceplate has some fading and patina as well.
The new grill fabric is a light tan with a little brown in the weave, it matches the cabinet and silver faceplate well. The radio looks super clean and will match any decor.
It's a classic midcentury design, and unlike plain furniture, you can listen to it! It would make a great gift.
This will be very well packed to avoid damage in shipping.
Feedback from happy customers!
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Excellent product from an excellent five-star seller took time to package property for shipping arrived safely very very happy everything works as a should thank you!!🎆😁🤩👍
Terrific experience. Item plays beautifully. Seller is quick to communicate and answer all questions.