Antique 1939 Zenith 6-S-330 Tube Radio CLEAN & WORKING

You are bidding on a restored 1939 Zenith model 6-S-330 vacuum tube wood table radio.

Zenith added pushbutton electronic tuning to its 1939 line of radios, including the model 6-S-330, a large six tube table radio.  The dial followed the trademark Zenith "big black dial" design, but was surrounded by a "patriotic" pennant and stars bezel that also held the pushbuttons and controls.  This is a very distinctive dial design found on only a few Zeniths.  The clouds of war were gathering in 1939, and Zenith designers were obviously influenced by this when they created this "American" styling.  The 6-S-330 measures 18 inches tall, by 13 inches wide, by 10 inches deep.  Weight is about 20 pounds.

This particular 6-S-330 looks and sounds good.  The cabinet had been completely refinished before I got this radio.  Zenith 6-S-330 cabinets originally had a faux finish using a thin covering called "Nydoc."  This material chips easily and is difficult to retouch.  The previous owner apparently decided that the original Nydoc faux finish was too far gone and elected to strip and refinish the radio with streaked toning stain overcoated with a clear satin finish.  While not original, the result is very pleasing (see photos).  The finish is smoother and a bit less shiny than suggested by the photos because the camera's flash tends to generate bright reflections and bring out surface irregularities.

This radio has the original grille cloth (photo 4), the original "Z" knobs (photos 5 and 7) and all the pushbuttons (photo 5).  The big black dial illuminates nicely (photo 6).  The dial glass is a replacement of the correct size.

Electronically this radio has been restored as well.  The previous owner had replaced most capacitors.  I replaced the filter capacitors with new ones under the chassis leaving the old can capacitor in place on the top of the chassis for appearance.  A fuse was also added under the chassis to protect the radio should an electrical short ever occur.  I tested all the tubes and replaced the weak ones.  The tubes are all Zenith tubes of the correct style for this radio and all the metal tube shields are the correct type.  I also replaced the badly worn dial belt with the correct NOS belt.

This radio plays very well on the AM broadcast band.  The speaker has a surprisingly BIG sound given its relatively small size.  The clever Zenith tuning mechanism moves the pointer slowly at first when you reverse direction, then more quickly, making it easy to zero-in on a station by rocking back and forth.

The pushbutton automatic tuning also works, but some of the bushbuttons have broken springs.  Of the five buttons, three can be set to stations using the screwdriver adjustment on the back of the assembly (see photo 8, below speaker).  Unlike many other Zeniths, these automatic buttons are easy to adjust and do not require removing trim pieces.  The shortwave bands on this radio do not appear to be working.

The 6-S-330 is a very attractive late-thirties Zenith that displays very well.  It is rare to find one with all the original knobs and the automatic tuning buttons.

I have been collecting antique radios for more than 30 years, but I have moved to a smaller house so many old friends must go to new homes to make room for new friends.  Please watch my future auctions for more vintage radio and TV items.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

I don't have a lot of silly rules and hoops for buyers: Pay for your item and I'll send it you. I've been a buyer and a seller on eBay for ten years and have a near perfect feedback record. I'll trust you and you can trust me to do right.

Please use the eBay shipping calculator to figure your shipping cost anywhere in the world.  I have shipped dozens of fragile tube radios all over the world without damage and will pack this radio with the care and respect it deserves.  Insurance cannot replace a lost or broken antique, but it is provided to protect both of us financially.  Inside the USA shipping will be by UPS Ground.

Outside the USA shipping will be by Priority Mail.  Due to the size of this radio the box will measure 92 inches (length plus girth).  This exceeds the 79"  limit on postal packages for most of the world.  If your country is not included in the "ships to" list, please confirm that a Priority Mail package can be sent from the US to your address.  Then send me a request and I will send you a shipping cost estimate and allow you to bid.

Sorry, but vintage electronics items are not returnable.