Renovating 1930s RCA Sound System

[Austin Lugo]

I'm working with a movie theater that has been in business for 100 years, and is cureently undergoing some major renovations. Although some of the equipment hasn't been used in decades, we still have the original sound system and projector from when the theater first opened.

While we've found someone who may be able to rennovate the projector, we've yet to find anyone who can rennovate the original RCA sound system. I've scoured the internet, and if there's anyone that can help us, it's you all.

HELP!

[Frank Cox]

You should probably specify what RCA sound system you have there. Photophone? Something else?

[Austin Lugo]

Maybe this will help?

[Frank Cox]

So it's an old speaker that you want to rehab, not an actual sound system?

[Ryan Gallagher]

I’m guessing he means whole system?

Is this being undertaken in a historic preservation mindset? If you are trying to get the whole system functioning again for showing film there are probably more modern routes to consider for sound?

[Tony Bandiera Jr]

I’m guessing he means whole system?

Is this being undertaken in a historic preservation mindset? If you are trying to get the whole system functioning again for showing film there are probably more modern routes to consider for sound?

Exactly, Tubes in particular are hard to come by and if you do find them, they're stupid expensive. Plus you'll most likely end up having to replace dried out or failed capacitors, etc. Better to get a modern processor (like the CP 65 I have for sale) and some amplifiers.

Those old speakers may be salvageable, IF you have a speaker reconing shop nearby.

[Austin Lugo]

The restoration is for historical preservation, as well for special events. Our day to day system will be a much more modern set up

[Frank Cox]

Ok, but you still haven't shared enough details about exactly what you have and what you want to accomplish.

Is this system currently installed or is it in a junk pile "out back"?

Whatever you pay to restore it is going to be more than it's worth so if it's a pile of rusty junk then that's probably what it is.

You'll have to decide how authentic you want it to be. It's possible to rip the guts out of something like an old amp and replace it with a modern circuit board and use led lights to illuminate the meters and dials, or you can replace the tubes and caps and whatever else needs doing and use as much of the original components as possible. Or something in between.

You might be well off to consult someone who restores old tube radios, if there's anybody left who does that any more.

[Ryan Gallagher]

You might be well off to consult someone who restores old tube radios, if there's anybody left who does that any more.

For tube amps and preamp servicing, the most knowledgable community these days is likely to be dedicated guitar amp repair shops, but be prepared to wait, they are in high demand.