I recently picked up this Zenith 11S474 console. I don't know much about them, I've just always wanted one for the look. I'm into vintage audio, but nothing this old yet. The cabinet is cleaning up nicely with Howard's products. But there's some problems I need some help with.



It's missing the Wavemagnet antenna, I've located a few of those on Ebay. Did Zenith use the same Wavemagnet on different models in 1940? I just want to have it look as authentic as possible. Also notice that someone hacked a different speaker in, so I've been told. I can't really see any major modifications to the amp section, from a quick look. What other models shared the original field coil speaker, I'd really like to put that right. I was told that this console still works, so hopefully the restoration is fairly easy.



It's missing one pushbutton for the tuning. Are they still available as a repro? And something doesn't look right with the selector/volume knob. What do I need to get that right?

Welcome to the forum, here is a restoration thread on that set,http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=194080&p=1625105&hilit=zenith+11s474#p1625105, it has some of the information you need.

I've seen the fingernail buttons on eBay the volume knob is missing on the assy for tuning its just a dome shaped knob. Same color

The missing parts that you inquired into as reproductions are available from "Renovatedradios.com". The tuning dial knob is missing the volume control knob which fits over the top of the tuning knob. The tone control tabs are available there as well. I have purchased a set of reproduction knobs from renovated radios for a zenith 5S29, and they were very well made and almost indestingshable from the original.

Thanks for the help, folks. Now all I need to locate is the original field coil speaker. Need to select some grille cloth too.

Well, looks like there were major modifications to the chassis to work with the PM speaker. Those two little transformers don't look original, considering that one is a Philco, the other a Thordarson. That clear wiring doesn't look right either. This doesn't look like it's gonna be fun to fix if I want to go back to a field coil speaker.

That upper output transformer is taking the place of the one that is normally mounted on the field coil speaker. I may be wrong but it looks like they used a choke (the other transformer) in place of the field coil. That is better than using a resistor. It won't be difficult to get it back to original once you find the correct speaker. Just follow the schematic.

That radio had speaker model number 49-352 which is a 12" field coil speaker. It also came in the 10-S-492 and the 12-S-471 models. There are 12" speakers from other years that are close and would work as well......just not original to the set. I'd replace those capacitors (and filter caps) and any out of tolerance resistors while in there as well.

I pulled the output transformer and choke today. I did find a Zenith field coil speaker to install, 49AG424. I need some help getting the speaker connector wired back up correctly. I'm afraid my tube unit restoring skills are pretty weak, too much SS work lately. I have all the caps I need to restore the unit too.