Hi everyone! I just found this forum on Google... I am not a "radio person" and so I was looking for a place with knowledgeable people who might be able to help me understand more about a radio I inherited, and what it might be worth. This radio was my grandfather's, and while I am keeping a great number of things I got from my various grandparents when they passed (they've all passed at this point) some things I know I won't use...

The radio is a Zenith Trans-Oceanic 3000-1 Multiband AM FM short wave radio; it works when I load it up with about a hundred D-cell batteries (ok, I think it's 9 actually), but I don't have the external power cord that there is a jack for. It looks to be in good condition; perhaps a little dusty but I can easily clean that up. I have some photos here: http://webica.com/temp/zenith/

I'd like to know more about this radio, such as when it was made, etc. I'd also like to know how much it is worth as I'm probably going to end up selling it. I'd like to document as much about it as possible first, though, for sentimental reasons.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Translation: Can some of you radio experts give me as much information about my radio to help me sell it?

~ Mitch ~

You can find out all about the Royal 3000-1 and the history behind all of the Transoceanic series in the book The Zenith Trans-Oceanic, The Royalty of Radios by Bryant and Cones published by Schiffer Publishing. A must-have, must-read for anyone interested in these sets.

Ebay's completed listings can give you an idea of monitary value but since you said it has sentimental value, I would expect that you would want to keep it.

Dave

Welcome to ARF, WebKat !

Can't imagine getting rid of that nice of a radio especially if it was from a Grandfather...
Clean it up & listen to it awhile---think you'll become "attached" ! I really like my early Royal 1000D from 1958 ( very similar, but no FM ) and wouldn't think of getting rid of it...

These are regularly on Ebay & sell for decent but various prices---check the completed listings to see...

We've got a couple Transoceanic experts here that might be able to provide more historical/technical info & I know there's a website that goes into good detail, but can't think of it right now. Try & Google "Zenith Royal 3000*" and examine your "hits"...

Enjoy & give it a chance !

( Just saw that Dave posted as I previewed, so please excuse the repetition )

John

Just pretend that external power jack does not exist. That radio requires
a special wall-wart power pack with a "backwards" polarity.

Pete

And the 3000 is easy on batteries. Even a set of AA's (like I use) will power it up quite fine.

I HAVE Googled it and I have gotten some info that way, but as far as searching ebay auctions, they're all over the place--some sell for a small amount, some for a high amount, and I can't tell why the difference.

I am not a radio person, as I said... I don't listen to the radio, even in my car. I listen to music I already have fro the most part, or audiobooks. I have held onto this radio already for about... 20 years? for sentimental reasons. But my husband and I are downsizing. This radio has mostly been in a box, and it's unlikely that we would have a place to display it when we find a new house (we're in the middle of moving right now). I also had to sell my old Graphophone for the same reasons. I took lots and lots of pictures, so I would have something to remember it... I've actually done that for a LOT of things since we've been downsizing. I have a whole collection of digital photos of things that were sentimental but no longer practical to keep.

Anyway, yes, I do want information to eventually sell it--I think I was pretty honest about that in my original post--but I also want to be able to put as much info as possible in my "electronic scrapbook" which I plan to eventually have printed as a photobook (winkflash.com has a really good deal on those about 3-4 times a year btw--get on their mailing list to find out when). Is there something wrong with asking knowledgeable people questions when you're trying to research something? As I said I've already done quite a bit of Googling and I've looked on ebay several times.

Thanks for the information you've already given me. It is a nice radio... if it were totally up to me we wouldn't be downsizing as much as we are... I've had to make a lot of sacrifices... but my husband insists, largely for financial reasons. (And yes, he's getting rid of things, too.)

Thanks again.

Price is based on condition. Condition of the black side panels (not shown
in your photos.) Condition of the chrome finish. Battery box condition.
Is the manual and original box included? In opinion they aren't rare
radios, and supply outstrips demand. A radio in premium condition
commands a premium price. That is why the prices vary so much.

That makes sense. I don't have the manual or the box. Do you think the manual is worth getting? I found a reprinted one on ebay for about $13... Is there good information in there or is it just like what knob does what, etc?

Everything seems to be in good condition... I'm in the process of cleaning it really well right now and it makes a huge difference!

Question: the battery instructions have come unglued from the battery compartment... should I leave it loose, or put a dab of glue on the back and glue it back on?

I paid 66.00 for mine off ebay several years ago and it is near perfect cosmetic wise. Condition is a varying factor on what you can/will get for yours but most in good condition get at least 100.00 for them. Your mileage may vary.

Condition is most of it, but only pay attention to SOLD prices, forget what people are asking. Not many people are paying $235 BIN prices, if they are, then PT Barnum was right. $75 is a fair price of the chrome, antenna, and fake leather are in excellent condition. There seems to be far more 3000s than any other type so the supply/demand favors buyers. If I was buying I would look primarily at the condition of the cabinet/handle and battery box, because just about everything less is fixable. I would like a working radio, but I would prefer not working to "repaired" because you never know if the repairs were done properly.

Brett

Sell it right here on the forum. You never know. I've already got a hoarding issue with Trans-Oceanics, otherwise I'd grab it.

I've paid as little as $18 for a beater from an antique mall to $100 for a really clean one.

Remember if you do sell to NOT skimp on packing and DON'T use UPS!!

Here: http://www.antiqueradio.org/howpack.htm

Rich

Well welcome to the forum. Too bad you have no interest in radio collecting. I have one of these that I found in someones trash!
If I were you I hold on to it. You might get hooked on it!

Don't know if I'd start cleaning it up as collectors generally prefer buying items in 'found' condition.
AFA getting a replacement manual, I doubt you would recoup your money.
Wipe the dust off it, describe it to the best of your ability, pack well and sell as is.

Here's a list of completed eBay listings. I'd start it off at $50 and let the market decide:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fln=1&_ ... 00-1&rt=nc

Best of luck,
~ Mitch ~

Selling price also is dependent on how well the radio is presented on eBay. Plenty of good, sharp photos of the entire radio, inside and out and an honest and accurate description are important. Set a low starting price. If it's a decent radio, it will be bid up to a fair price, often at the very end of the auction. And as said above, pack it well.