Clocks & Music
1940 Zenith 12S475 Darth Vader Console Radio Restored with Bluetooth
1940 Zenith 12S475 Darth Vader Console Radio Restored with Bluetooth
This 1940 Zenith 12S475 is one of the most striking console radios we have offered at Art Deco Collection. The cabinet has a bold and memorable presence, and its dramatic design helps explain why collectors often refer to this model as the “Darth Vader” Zenith. The exterior has been refinished in the past bringing out the beauty of the cabinet while preserving its period character.
The chassis has been restored, and the radio is in very good working condition. It is equipped with 12 tubes, the original 15 inch speaker, the famous Zenith shutter dial, and push button tuning. The sound is rich, warm, and full, and the radio performs beautifully. The upper controls provide many tuning options and create an experience that is both interesting and enjoyable for anyone who appreciates prewar radio design.
What makes this example especially appealing is the addition of Bluetooth through a 1/8 inch adapter. This allows you to connect a smartphone, iPhone, iPod, computer, or record player and enjoy your own music through the radio’s tube driven sound. Whether you are playing old vinyl, streaming Pandora or Apple Music, or listening to a custom playlist, you get the convenience of modern technology along with the unmistakable tonal character of a vintage Zenith console. It is a wonderful blend of digital access and analog sound, all housed in one of the most unusual and impressive American radio cabinets of the prewar era.
May the force be with you
