[rworne]

The 39-7? It came from eBay. Not all the problems are the fault of who I got it from. While it was listed as "restored", it was actually partially done - the really important caps were replaced. It worked fine upon arrival - aside from the scratchy volume. My removing the volume pot it to get it cleaned caused the other issues. Which seller of which radio is the concern: the 39-6 or the 39-7? The 39-6 was purchased locally from a restorer that has been around for 15+ years.

I'm getting better at knowing where to look and what to look for... but if there's anyone I should watch out for, I want to know - I am looking for a very good condition Zenith console (I don't want to muck with it myself, I'm horrible with woodwork) and don't want to get burned. I only know of two people in So Cal that do restorations on these.

I'm actually pleased to some extent the 39-7 has these minor issues, far easier for me to cut my teeth on a unit like this than something totally toasted. I've learned a lot in the past couple of months I've been messing with these and don't want to tackle too big of a job at the start.

Everything I have come across one my own has been total junk and priced way more than the units I see all the time on-line. Here in So Cal I see plenty of dodgy 1940-50's type radios with missing buttons/parts, frayed cords and cracked bakelite cases with missing chunks sold "as-is" for $200.