CTV Oct 1979 20" Ferguson 3758 - Thorn 9900

Malc, thanks for the offer of a chance to play with the Muter BMR 95, I've often fancied getting one of those, however tempting that may be to play with, it's actually not necessary.

As mentioned above, I found the correct socket for my Leader LCT 910, I have now tested the A51-570X in this Ferguson. Also mentioned above, is how I suspected this set of being a bedroom set due to the vast amount of white dust within, and that it might also be low hour as under all the white fluff, the chassis looks in mint condition.

The results yielded on the CRT test perhaps bear this out, as all three guns emissions show to be in very good health. Who knows, with further sustained use it will likely improve even further than this short test has revealed.

Chuffed with the result, especially as it came so close to being necked by the 'A-hole' courier.

Nice one, very rare to find a good A51-570X years ago. The 580X was just as bad but the 590X was ok.

Should be a nice bright picture. Is the 570X a quick heating CRT? The quick heating CRT’s from Mullard and Hitachi that I saw in the middle late 70’s were not that reliable. The 570X series must have been in production after I left the trade, I don’t remember them.

Not a quick heating crt. The quick heating Mullard tubes were prefix AXX-410X.

Well would you believe it, looking through my brochure rack this morning I came across a promotional leaflet/poster for "The new Ferguson 20" Colourstars". I'd totally forgotten I had it, according to the leaflet it is fast warm up CRT.

Interesting to note; the 3758 pictured in the brochure has a full plastic facia around the CRT, whereas mine has the wood effect. Mine is definitely a 3758 as, unlike the 3757, it does have touch tune, ultrasonic remote and channel indicator features.

I'm sure I have the actual stand for this somewhere, too. I can now also see what the tuner draw plate should look like, it has the AX branding, what a shame it's missing from mine.

As mentioned, back in the thread, my best hope is to fit the little TX9 front plate, which is comparable. I don't suppose anyone has got a scrap portable TX9 they could pinch the draw front from for me?

@crustytv Do you know who made the CRT?

Hi Frank, it doesn't say in the brochure, other than the AX51 tube was designed, developed and manufactured in Britain. The CRT in mine has the Thorn label.

I think the early ones fitted to the original 9000, the ones with the toroidal yoke were developed and made by RCA. Later on by Mazda / Thorn. 

@crustytv

The 99-- in the 9000 chassis series should indicate that a Mullard tube is fiitted.

Time for a little 'C-i' (Cosmetic irrelevance).

As it looks improbable, that I shall A) find a cheap TX9, B) find one only worthy of scrapping and C) having the tuner/draw complete. I'm certainly not going to butcher a good one, so what to do?

A rummage in the odds-N-sods box, produces a flap from a scrapped Stereo/Teletext. Perfect in size and shape. Simple solution, glue it to the front of the tuner control draw.

OK, it's not original, but it is better than the gaping hole.

Of course the words Stereo and Teletext need to be gone, for this I have two ideas.

The first is to spray the plate to match the black fascia, thus removing the words. Second, and my preferred option, find a Ferguson name plate to cover the words. The final option would be to photoshop the "Ferguson AX" logo, then print and stick on the plate. The latter would require me to purchase a colour printer, which I'd rather not.

Anyone got a spare Ferguson badge gathering dust, surplus to requirements?