Featured Product Archive
The inventions and products featured on these pages were chosen either for their
uniqueness in the RF engineering realm, or are simply awesome (or ridiculous) enough
to warrant an appearance.
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Packard Bell AM/FM radio cracked glass - Riddim Restoration
Website visitor R. Carson Vizina, owner and chief miracle worker of
Riddim Restoration,
recently wrote to inquire whether I had a resource for repairing or replacing a
damaged glass radio dial bezel for a Packard Bell AM/FM radio he is working on.
Unfortunately, I do not know of anyone who can make a new dial plate, 'thou surely
there is someone out there who does custom silkscreen printing, but the cost would
probably be prohibitive. I suggested that he might try an automotive window
repair kit. I have used the
Rain-X method on two windshields and it does an amazing job of "disappearing"
the crack. Use a hair dryer after injecting it onto the surface facilitates it flowing
into the narrowest parts of the crack. Please
contact Carson if you
have a suggestion.
Ok, so what is Riddim?
Per Wikipedia: "The term 'riddim' is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the
English word 'rhythm,' with the genre sharing a name with the genre it is
primarily derived from. The derived genre originally stemmed from dub, reggae,
and dancehall." Carson's passion is reggae music.
Zenith
Chair Side Record Player
Vacuum Tube Stereo
Ventura
65amps
Magnavox Portable Record Player
After perusing his RiddimRestoration.Rocks
website and seeing the amazing audio components he has restored, I offered to post
a description of it on RF Cafe. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a
thousand words, so rather than me attempt to do Carson's handiwork justice with
a written description, feast your eyes on about 7k worth of words to the right. When asked to provide a short blurb on Riddim Restoration,
he responded thusly:
"I started restoring vintage consoles (Telefunken, Zenith, Westinghouse, Magnavox,
etc.), then modifying the unrepairable ones going to the trash with modern electronics.
Then the musicians in Bellingham and surrounding areas found out I work on tube
amps, so then I began having instrument amps in my rotation… Ampeg, Fender, Marshall,
Peavey, etc. then some cool boutique amps such as Milkman Sound, 65amps, Victoria,
Friedman.
I built a small demo unit to show potential customers, how retro-modernized consoles
will sound... Now I get requests for the demo boxes… which also led to full standalone
amps and pre-amps, some people don't have room for a furniture piece or can't find
the one they love.
I have experience building traditional tube amps, OTL (output transformer less)
tube amps, phono gain stage, and solid state amps.
What makes my builds unique is I build using modular construction techniques
for ease of fabrication and testing before bolting in place, quicker final assembly
time (once modules are built) and…knock on wood, easier troubleshooting/repairs
IF something should fail.
Before working on audio components, I worked on stealth jets and then the controls
of safety systems in very remote hazardous locations…component engineering, programming,
fabrication, and commissioning of systems; so I took that knowledge and work flow
with me…and since I'm a music lover at heart I really enjoy building audio solutions
for other music lovers! Their faces at delivery and check out are priceless."
- Carson
Here is the "Origin Story" page verbiage:
"Electronics have been at my finger tips since I was punished for disassembling
my sister's brand new digital happy meal watch. My parents nick-named me 'Button
Pusher' as I couldn't keep my fingers off their friends' stereo equipment. After
leaving university, armed with the confidence I could take anything apart and get
it back together, I landed a dream job (for a button pusher) working in the cockpit
of a stealth jet. Long story short, while chasing a career traveling the globe working
on and repairing corporate projects, I realized that life wasn't what the roots
of my soul enjoyed…it was time to refocus and spend my life energy on something
unique and artistically rewarding. At Riddim Restoration we aim to bring stereo
consoles out from collecting dust and back into the hearts of families.
R. Carson Vizina - Founder & Chief Engineer
All items custom built at Tree Top Studio - Bellingham, WA.
Posted April 10, 2023
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