C.
E. "Sonny" Clutter
Sonny became interested in radios at
the impressionable age of 10. His stepfather was what you would call
a "picker", he would buy and sell anything and everything
he could get cheap, and the two started traveling together at about
age 12. They frequented local appliance dealers (who took trade-ins
back then) and would often buy a whole truck load of stuff. Sonny can
remember seeing 7”, 10”, and 12" TVs stacked high in the
back rooms of these dealers all ripe for the taking. These trade-in
TVs fetched about $5 each in those days, even less if you bought them
by the truck load. Depending upon condition, I either removed what
was of value and scrapped the rest, or re-sold the better stuff at
auction houses or local buyers.
Sonny Clutter
Sonny’s first restoration project was
a 1949 10"
Meck television way back in 1953. One unsuspecting day
Sonny’s stepfather gave it to him to tinker with, what a thrill
that was for a young and innocent child. With a little loving
guidance, Sonny was able to make it work and that became their
family’s first television.
Sonny remembers the old console radios
they would get, especially the large Majestics.
He marveled at the intricacy of the various parts, circuitry, and the
sealed containers. His curiosity overcoming him, Sonny would remove
and open the beautiful constructed aluminum and sometimes copper cans
containing the meticulously-wound coils on these old pieces of
engineering and marveled at how these made sounds and music. What a
thrill that was for him to bring one of these old relics back to life
by his own hands.
Not satisfied with a casual
understanding of electronics, Sonny found an old NRI (National Radio
Institute) home study course in 1954 and taught himself the basics of
radios and electronics.
In 1956 Sonny took an after school and
week-end job at a local Radio & TV repair shop in Ashland
(Supreme Radio & TV). Owner Jake Rodman couldn't afford to pay
Sonny a salary, so he started working for nothing (a "gopher at
first) just for the opportunity to learn more about the technology he
loved. Jake, a first-class service technician in his own right,
taught Sonny many of the things that he still practices to this day.
Sonny started by working in Jake’s shop doing odd jobs, sweeping
the floor, and later was trusted to test tubes for customers at the
counter. He also spent time on the work-bench asking Jake numerous
questions and learning specific trouble-shooting techniques. It
wasn’t long before Sonny joined Jake on service calls and antenna
installations, and after only a few short weeks Sonny started earning
a modest salary. Getting paid to do what he loved seemed like the
best job he could ever have.
In 1959, Sonny joined the Air Force
where he again studied electronics focusing on radio communications.
After the USAF he worked as a consumer electronics service technician
but could not shake his fascination with old technology. In 1962 his
love for old radios was rekindled when he accidentally crossed paths
with an old 1927 "Kolster" AC radio. He meticulously
cleaned and re-finishing the cabinet and found that restoration was
still in his blood. In 1996 he devoted himself to his “hobby” and
has since turned this passion into a thriving Internet business.
Sonny’s Immaculate
Workbench
Since 1966, Sonny dedicates his time to
restoring all sorts of old radios and televisions and has many of
these for sale on his website.
Sonny is not interested in upgrades or modifications but rather in
restoring a piece of equipment to its original design, just as you
would have purchased it brand new way back when.
In the next interview, I will again add a name to the "possessed" list with a local Tampa person with an unusual story. Until then, remember to listen with your ears and not your eyes.
Yours for higher fidelity,
Philip Rastocny
Skeptics are essential to keep us sane; skeptics do little to keep us inspired. Philip Rastocny, 7-16-2014
Skeptics are essential to keep us sane; skeptics do little to keep us inspired. Philip Rastocny, 7-16-2014
I do not use ads in this blog to help support my efforts. If you like what you are reading, please remember to reciprocate, My newest title is called Where, oh Where did the Star of Bethlehem Go? It’s an astronomer’s look at what this celestial object may have been, who the "Wise Men" were, and where they came from. Written in an investigative journalism style, it targets one star that has never been considered before and builds a solid case for its candidacy.
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Copyright © 2015 by Philip Rastocny. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by Philip Rastocny. All rights reserved.
