RCA Victor VLT42W - Riviera Console

[PatCLE]

Hello,

I own several console units, but the VLT42W Riviera is my favorite - it is solid state and has a radio and record player. Unfortunately, after many years of use, it's speakers are rattling and the amp is not great - I want to put some new speaker drivers in, and rebuild the amp with new capacitors, new led lights for the dial, and I need a new cartridge for the record player.

Does anyone have any info about this console? Service manuals or schematics? I have searched the internet and only found a few pictures of this unit.

Please feel free to post a reply with any information!

PAT.

[electra225]

Please refer to the forum rules for registration information and requirements. Please also post your location in your user profile. Be prepared to post an avatar before posting your third post. We are glad you joined and we hope you enjoy the forum.

[William]

Welcome aboard, it is great having you with us. And, please, finish your registration so we can give you a helping hand with your RCA project.


Bill

[electra225]

We haven't heard from this new member in a few days, so let me take this opportunity to explain a couple of things. First, how did this new member get on the forum without posting a location? Good question. Our forum software, the most popular and arguably the best open-source forum software currently available, is antique. The security measures we have in place, that work flawlessly 99.9% of the time, failed THIS time. This is the reason Mark wants us to transition to modern, secure, adaptable software. Why haven't we already done it. Cost. I can't justify bearing the cost by myself when we don't have enough posting to amortize that expense. If enough members would want to contribute to the project, we can explore it further.

And, if this member doesn't provide his location, mucho pronto, not only will this topic possibly disappear, but so may his membership. I don't want to be a dog in the manger here, but we have to stay on top of security ourselves. We have to know who is on our forum. Video Karma, a TV forum that has been around for ages is on the ropes because nobody stayed on top of security. I don't want that to happen to this forum. VintageHIFI also died due to neglect of security. When one of these forums dies, more than just a forum is lost....

[PatCLE]

OK - so I updated my profile and even uploaded a picture of me - it's from a few years ago - I still look like that, just a little less hair on top. From my side of this equation, I had no idea I HAD TO indicate a location or upload or use an avatar - the software is a bit "clunky" or maybe old - but it is still usable. Sorry, if I raised any hackels over security - it is a bonafide concern, but it shouldn't be... life should be simpler. I hope I can see some info come my way over the issues with my RCA Console, I have 2 other consoles to fix up as well.

WOOD QUESTION: I want to refinish the wood on this RCA console - it looks OK, but it has plenty of scratches, coffee cup circles and candle wax - I am going to scrape off the wax and lightly sand the top - then I was thinking about TEAK OIL and maybe POLYURETHANE?

SPEAKERS and Grilles: I was planning on replacing all the speakers - and while they are out, use compressed air to blow the dust out of the grille cloth... any other suggestions to "revive" the grille cloth? Maybe some Hydrogen Peroxide?

PAT.

[William]

Welcome aboard, Pat, and we look forward to your posts and photos. And, thank you for completing the registration. A lot of new members miss the rules so we just give gentle reminders to fill in all of the blanks so we know who and where you are. It weeds out the legit new members from the spambots.

There a lot of things you can do and try before striping a cabinet. With the style and finish of your RCA polyurethane would not be what I would do. If you decide to use Teak Oil that would be your finish and actually if you do not sand deep removing the stain Teak Oil might work. Again, there are many choices and other on the forum will have ideas that they will share.

As far as the speakers go, would you please provide some photos of the speakers that are original to the RCA. I am guessing they are ok and if so I would not change them out. RCA matched those speakers to the electronics and the cabinet for maximum reproduction of sound.

Again, welcome aboard.

Bill

[TC Chris]

I'm glad that you ran the gauntlet of membership. It's mostly to protect our moderators, who do the work that lets the rest of us enjoy this forum. Maybe they should explain that a bit better so people don't get discouraged.

As to the finish question, most often furniture finishes are a lacquer of some variety. The top of my 1956 "Provincial Serenade" console, in cherry veneers, needed some refreshing so I went looking for some "brushing lacquer," an old product whose name describes its purpose. I found some locally at a paint store--in an aerosol spray can clearly labelled "brushing lacquer." I sanded lightly, masked, and sprayed the top. Much improved. That might be the best route for your console's top if it's mostly in good condition. By the way, finding my old console in cherry was appropriate because I live in the "Cherry Capital" in MIchigan.

But first you could try to improve it using a brew of 50/50 boiled linseed oil and turpentine. Wash first, let it dry, then apply the mix. Some add white vinegar, 1/3 of each ingredient (shake vigorously). This will often make an old finish look good again. (Just be careful about disposal of any rags or paper towels you use--the boiled linseed oil contains dryers that can combust by oxidation if you just toss them in a pile. Mine always go outside the shop, and are un-crumpled).

For most of my old radios and such, when refinishing was needed, I've stripped and used wood stains and varnish. Varnish is forgiving, available, and familiar. I've used spar varnish for years on my sailboat. Spar varnish isn't best for interior work; it's flexible to account for moisture- and temperature-related wood movement. Interior varnish is best inside. It's harder. For perfection you can polish it up with wet sanding paper, pumice, and rottenstone to various levels of gloss

This past spring I experimented with an aerosol spray spar varnish on a large mahogany hatch cover on the boat. In the past it has always got crud in it, either bits falling off my head arms, or bits hiding in the brush, or debris borne on the wind in the old boat barn. I was really skeptical of the new spray stuff but it worked way better than expected. The learning curve was short.

Many original old radio finishes--probably most by a wide margin--used toned (tinted) lacquers from a spray gun. They let the manufacturers use inexpensive woods in secondary locations, and get the same color all over. Now you can buy toned lacquers from woodworking-supply houses. I'm inclined to try that on my next big refinishing project.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Welcome aboard! I think I would try some of Chris' methods to try and save the finish on there. It isn't that bad. It shows well in photos. None of them are perfect anymore. The depth you go to is based on your talent with wood refinishing and you tolerance of "patina" which is scratches and dirt that makes something look old and enjoyed. I wouldn't get compressed air within a mile of an old speaker cone. You can do very will with a duster. Those cones are brittle. Gotta be gentle.

I have a 1962 Magnavox Stereo Theater that came out of an abandoned house. It had so much cigarette smoke and nicotine on it, the finish had been lifted. But it was complete and in remarkably good condition and was the exact model I had searched for so long. Took that thing 110% apart to refinish every single wood part. The bottom was particleboard and was coming apart. We covered the entire bottom of the bottom with epoxy. Looks brand new. I put new reinforcements in for the wheels I got at Harbor Freight. We used shellac and satin poly on the interior. The exterior got 18 coats of hand-rubbed gloss poly, dulled to look like lacquer with 1200 grit wet paper. Took three years. I think I have a picture I can post if you'd like.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I hope I can see some info come my way over the issues with my RCA Console,


SPEAKERS and Grilles: I was planning on replacing all the speakers.PAT.

Hello Pat,

I would verify that the speakers are indeed damaged beyond
repair.
The original speakers are matched to the amplifier and cabinet
designs.

New replacements are not usually good matches
due to modern stiff cone materials;
their power requirements also may not be
amenable to your amplifier efficiency to drive the cones.

RE: Record changer :

Your RCA changer manual is in the "Downloads" section.
There are 2 manuals dating around the era of your RCA.

Your changer model should be stamped under the changer
metal base.

[William]

Hi Pat. Behind your favorite RCA are two other consoles. One is Motorola in the Declaration Drexel cabinet (I have that same cabinet model SK52W) and the other to the left is another RCA?? Am I correct on that? If so, what model is it? You may have similarities between the two RCA's.

Bill