Vintage 1929 radio cabinet w/1931 radio repurposed as Bluetooth Speaker

[Dermbrian]

Something I've been working on this week.  I still need to pretty up the speaker area...hopefully adding a back to improve the sound even more, although it sounds very good right now.  The tubes are lit by yellow LED's embedded in frosted Scotch tape and taped to the back of the tubes with black Gorilla tape.  No components of the radio were harmed during the re-purposing.  I only cut one wire to tap into the use of the on/off switch to power the modern stuff I added. Volume is controlled by whatever is being used as the Bluetooth source.  In my case, that's a Samsung Galaxy Note with my music collection and the TuneIn internet radio app.

The radio is not used.  A T-Amp, combined with bluetooth receiver and a dual-voice coil ceiling speaker make up the system.  But the effect sure is like you're hearing some pretty high fidelity music playing from an old radio.  I'm very happy with the outcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4iwxdwItxg&feature=youtu.be

Brian

[Generic Eric]

I have an old philco.  I like those old style radios.  The blue tooth idea is cool.

[Dermbrian]

I think I've found the piggy bank for my 'radio/bluetooth speaker' when I use it for jukebox use.  Three hits for two bits.

http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Money-Nostalgia-Antique-D34167/dp/B00GLDVYDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403128244&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+piggy+bank

I also finished the instructable for how I made it.  There's a new video at the end showing it in operation, with music from the 30's through the 2010's coming out of it.  If only the camera could pick up just how good it really sounds.

http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Money-Nostalgia-Antique-D34167/dp/B00GLDVYDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403128244&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+piggy+bank


Brian

[brihyn]

Love the idea of using LED's in the tubes...very cool.
But then again, I'm a bit of a fan of the idea of repurposing these old radios.

[Dermbrian]

I'm putting finishing touches on a new DWJukebox skin for use with my laptop and the "radio".  I did put a Bluetooth adapter into my laptop so I can go back to 3 songs for a quarter as I play music. 

I wanted to keep it simple, since I can't envision a 1930's radio supporting a "Coming Up" list of songs, etc.    And, I didn't feel the need to make it too user-friendly, since nobody will ever use it but me.  I have my main jukebox for everyday use, and my wife...should she ever be inclined, can just use bluetooth from her iPhone to play through the radio.



Long live the Jukebox.


Brian

EDIT:  Added  'almost done' version.  I think that all I'll add at this point is either indicators or a toggle switch with indicators for "Maestro" mode (jukebox) or "Radio" mode (actually just continuous random songs).

[Dermbrian]

brihyn, very cool Victrola, with a lot of creativity in how you 1919'd the PC and DWJukebox setup. 

I'm enjoying the smurf out of my radio.  At least until the next thing comes along.  There are some fairly good sized PC tablets running Windows 8 out there now at really good prices.  My new skin would look better on a dedicated tablet in some kind of period-appropriate holder or mount than it does on a laptop sitting on the radio.


Brian