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Forum 141

Radio Yet another Ekco, this time a U29!

Radio

Last Post by Lloyd 1 month ago

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Lloyd

(@lloyd)

Posts: 1854

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Yes, I’ve been shopping again! Spotted this little Ekco U29 on eBay last week, I already have 2… So why on earth buy a 3rd one?!? Well, there is method in my madness!! The other 2 are different colours! I bought a green one years ago, and only found out it was green when it got dropped… not the best way to find out! Then I got another, and that ones black (no, I didn’t drop that one to find out what colour it was!), and the latest one is very dark red, or maroon. I don’t think there were any other colours, so that’s enough of them now!

But, there’s something else special about this latest set, not just the fact it came with its cloth covered mains lead, but the fact it’s got its original box!

It’s a bit crusty, but mostly in good shape, and even bears the serial number of the set that’s in it. There’s a label on the side with an address, but it’s mostly illegible.

So, anyone else got a boxed U29?! It’s definitely not NOS, it’s had a life, as the dropper has burned a hole in the back cover, like they always do! It needs a polish, but otherwise looks in good shape. Another for the restoration queue!

Regards,

Lloyd

Posted : 10/11/2023 3:16 pm

turretslug, LSmith, Cathovisor and 1 people reacted

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slidertogrid

(@slidertogrid)

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That is a rare find Lloyd! If the set has been well used the owner must have stored the box for some reason? Certainly nice to have! I have a Cream Dac90A that came in an "original" box . it certainly is a box for a Cream Dac90A but a different serial number... Maybe it was as service exchange or something. I did have a nice little Ultra FM set that was new in box, it was a faulty return that got lost! I fixed the fault which ISTR was a manufacturing defect but passed the set on during one of my clear-outs!

I do like the Ekco U29 it isn't a set I have obtained so far.. There seems to be a few odd colour Bakelite sets around I have a Bush DAC 10s in plain maroon instead of the usual brown with 'swirls'. I have also seen a DAC 90 in a similar colour I wonder if these variations were deliberate or a mistake during production?

Posted : 10/11/2023 3:47 pm

Lloyd

(@lloyd)

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It is quite a surprise the original owner kept the box for it, and put it back in it! I did wonder if maybe it had been returned for repair, and maybe not sent back. Or the owner was like me, as I used to try and keep all the boxes for my stuff, I lost most of them in our house move though, they got left behind!

I think the U29 is quite a nice set, the main problem with them is shrinkage of the ivory inset piece, it then pulls on the 6 screws that hold it in, and eventually split it, normally along the curved edge at the top. That had happened on my black one, so I removed it, repaired the cracks, and when re-fitting it I drilled out the holes in the main cabinet to give it some room to move. I am still yet to actually get one of the sets working! The green one got re-capped many years ago, but the dropper was O/C, so I've never heard it play! And the black one hasn't had any work done on the chassis, and I've never powered it up. The seller of this maroon set did power it up, they said it buzzed but they were unable to tune it, as the dial drive isn't working.

They do seem to be relatively unloved, I was the only bidder on this one at £35, the black one was £11 in 2012, and the green one was £14.99 in 2007. The colours are quite hard to spot, normally they just look brown!

Regards,

Lloyd

Posted : 10/11/2023 5:46 pm