Repro GLASS 5 Color Dial for Zenith 12A57 & 12A58 Radio

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Repro Single Pane Glass Dial for Zenith 12A57 & 12A58 Version 2 This “Buy it Now” eBay sale is for one (1) single pane 5-color (white/red/green/blue/yellow) GLASS reproduction dial intended for use on either the Zenith 12A57 and 12A58 consoles (1938). These are two of the very few radio models that Zenith produced with glass dials (others include the famous “Stratosphere” models). Often these radios are sold on eBay or Craig’s list and are shipped without properly removing and packing the glass dial. Upon arrival, the glass is broken because the chassis has shifted in shipment, causing the dial shaft to impact the center of the glass and crack it. It is my hope that the owners of these radios will see the auction and be able to replace their broken dial. This is one of the most beautiful dials Zenith ever made and would also make a very cool clock or static display when edge lit by an array of LED’s or conventional incandescent lamps. The version 1 models of the 12A57 and 12A58 used 3 dials and had a set of four sets of 2 dial lamps around the periphery of the 3 dials, two of which were illuminated in one quadrant when band A, B, C or D was selected by the band switch. The single-dial version 2 and version 3 radios have 8 lamps that continuously illuminate the periphery of the dial and also 4 vertically arranged band indicator lamps mounted behind the dial. The 3-dial version had the letters “A, B, C and D” near the center of each band. These letters were removed from the single dial version. My repro dial has the letters screened on in case a customer wants to replace a 3-dial version with a single dial version. The single dial is also available with the ABCD letters removed (see photos). I created Corel Draw vector artwork for the dial using original 3-dial panes as models. The artwork is crystal clear and the quality of the professional screening is exquisite. All graphics are reverse-printed on the back of the glass. There are some small differences in the fonts, line weights and position of some graphic elements but overall the repro dial is “confusingly similar” to the original. The ink was applied to the glass and then baked on and is very robust. To test the screening process and materials I selected one dial at random for “torture testing” and ran it through a dishwasher cycle. There was absolutely no change in the appearance of the dial after the cycle! Note: this test dial will be kept for further testing and experimentation. Each dial has been test-fitted into an actual 12A58 metal dial mount (not included) to ensure a proper fit and orientation. When mounting in the radio, there should be a felt gasket between the dial and the metal ring of the bracket. The original dials were 7.72 inches diameter and the mounting ring has alignment tabs separated by 7.75 inches. The repro dials are similar in diameter to the originals and can be slightly adjusted at assembly to ensure alignment and concentricity. The dial assembly is secured by a black cardboard disk (not included) that is bonded to a couple of “L” brackets that screw to the mounting ring. It is necessary to remove the lamp holders and mounting ring from the radio when re-assembling the repro dial to the mounting ring. Photos show the dial on a light and dark background, with and without the ABCD band letters. Please use eBay messaging or leave a note with your PayPal payment indicating your preference on the ABCD letters. Note: I have also reproduced each of the dials in the Version 1 three-dial radio. See my other auctions. Also note: The original Zenith dials were etched below the surface by either sand blasting or chemical etching and paint-filled. The repro dials are not etched below the surface. Dial will be carefully packed and shipped to USA only locations by insured Priority mail. Sorry no foreign shipments for this item. read more

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