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Knock NOVO
NOVO is not
actually vintage. I designed it using all that I have leaned from
restoring vintage chimes Novo
is virtually hand made and is produced in tiny numbers, essentially made to
order.
The cover
is made of custom laminated formed plywood, with your choice of walnut, teak
or zebrawood veneer. The style is suitable for period interiors for those
who seek to replace a vintage chime- in fact the design is patterned after a
number of popular vintage chimes dating back to the 1930’s...yet it is
simple enough to be appropriate for modern spaces too.
NOVO is a
wired chime that hooks up to the typical doorbell circuit found in most
homes, and can be used for both front and back doors. It operates by
striking two long chime tubes and makes the familiar ding-dong sound with
outstanding volume and lingering resonance. Bells are made of brass tubing
with precision machined solid aluminum end plugs. The chime mechanism
combines an industry-standard twin solenoid module and custom designed sheet
metal frame with powder-coated finish. Bell hangers are made of stainless
steel and brass hardware and provide adjustment to achieve a perfect
strike. I am confident that NOVO is the highest quality longbell chime
available today.
vintage:
new
features:
16-volt,
standard
circuit
2-bells
2-notes for
front door
1-note an
additional door
custom
formed plywood cover
assembled
dimensions:
7-1/2” wide x 2-1/2" deep x 42" long
buyer's options
Choice of
bookmatched Teak, horizontal Zebrawood, or bookmatched Walnut.
Shorter length
bells upon request at added cost.
price: $375
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Knock
Craftsman
Craftsman is not
actually vintage,
but captures the character of the Art & Crafts era.
Technically, musical door chimes became popular after the Art&Crafts era has
passed, so there are no vintage Arts & Crafts style chimes. This model
creates a thoroughly credible looking example.
The cover
is made by an expert woodcrafter who specializes in designing and
constructing hand-crafted home
furnishing of the Craftsman style. The wood is quarter sawn white oak
typical of the era, and styled to be suitable for homes of the Arts & Crafts
and Mission styles.
Craftsman
is a wired chime that hooks up to the typical doorbell circuit found in most
homes, and can be used for both front and back doors. It operates by
striking two long chime tubes and makes the familiar ding-dong sound with
outstanding volume and lingering resonance. Bells are made of brass tubing
with precision machined solid aluminum end plugs. The chime mechanism
combines an industry-standard twin solenoid module and custom designed sheet
metal frame with powder-coated finish. Bell hangers are made of stainless
steel and brass hardware and provide adjustment to achieve a perfect strike.
I am confident that Craftsman is the OTHER highest quality longbell chime
available today.
vintage:
new
features:
16-volt,
standard circuit
2-bells
2-notes for
front door
1-note an
additional door
solid oak
cover
assembled
dimensions:
10” wide x 3-3/8" deep x TBD" long
buyer's options
Bells may be left
unfinished (no lacquer clear coat) which will allow them to return to
a more rustic looking natural color over time.
price: $499
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Edwards Clarenden C-60
Grand
streamline design, very similar to NuTone Century first series.
vintage:
early
1950's.
features:
24v, 3-wire
connection.
8-notes
for front door
1-note for
additional doors
Volume
control.
24v
Telechron clock.
Walnut
veneer plywood cover with brass trim.
assembled
dimensions:
tbd” wide x tbd" deep x tbd" long
Currently
undergoing complete restoration.
If
interested enquire about
schedule.
price: $900
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Rittenhouse Notes - Chrome
Very rare chrome
version of this popular 2-note chime. How cool would this be in your
house if you have chrome tube furniture?
vintage:
1937
features:
Simple
2-wire installation
2-bells
2 note
sequence for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Volume
control
Metal cover
with black crinkle finish paint and bright metal decoration.
assembled
dimensions:
7” wide x 1-7/8" deep x 41" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tube and plunger cleaned and polished.
Chassis
cleaned and polished.
Strike pin
replaced.
Bells---
Cleaned and
polished.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
Cover---
Original finish
washed and bright parts polished.
flaws:
Very minor
scuff on cover at top front
price: $550
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Miami-Carey
Flashy
modern design rendered in polished brass and satin black perf metal.
vintage:
believed to
be late 1950's
features:
16-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note Westminster chimes sequence
1-note for
additional door
Volume
control
assembled
dimensions:
tbd” wide x tbd" deep x tbd" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers polished.
Paint slop
removed and thoroughly cleaned.
Cover---
Gently cleaned
Bells----
Gently
cleaned
flaws
tbd
buyer's options:
bells may be
refinished or left as original
price: $750
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Telechime
No brand marks,
but its clear that this is a General Kontrolar/ Telechime product as patent
documents tie this design to Gisbert Bossard and his company. This mighty
chime was removed in the 1970’s from a home in Dayton OH, coincidently just
blocks from where Bossard lived. Perhaps a personal connection? Read the
interesting and tragic story of
Telechime on my history page.
This design may
seem odd now, but consider that this one was designed at the dawn of fancy
doorbell development. There was no tradition to draw upon; the idea of a
small wall mounted box with exposed hanging bells just hadn’t been developed
yet. Neither had the soon to be common door bell niche to protect the long
hanging bells, so it sort of makes sense that the model for a longbell
chime would be more akin to a grandfather clock cabinet.
This one came to
me with the mechanism long ago discarded by its previous owner. I will be
installing another vintage four-bell mechanism to make this functional again.
The power and connection requirements will be just like any other multi-note
chime.
vintage:
known to be
very early 1930's
features:
solid oak
cabinet
24-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells,
not Westminster tuning. C, A, F, C, by my ear.
Bells made of
massive 1.25” dia brass tube, chrome plated.
4-note
chiming sequence
1-note for
additional door
Volume
control
assembled
dimensions: 13-1/4” wide x
7" deep x 68" tall
weight: 65
lbs.
buyer's options:
cabinet may be
refinished or left as original
price: $1500
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Miami-Carey Starburst
Simple modern design
with iconic sparkle. Grill cloth could be changed to suit decor.
vintage:
believed to
be late 1950's
features:
simple 16-volt
2-wire installation
3-bells
2-notes
for front
door
1-note for
additional door
Third
decorative bell
Plastic
covers with grill cloth and brass starburst decoration
assembled
dimensions:
tbd” wide x tbd" deep x
42-3/4" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers polished.
Chassis refinihsed
Cover---
Gently cleaned and
polished
Bells----
Gently
cleaned
flaws
bell finish
shows some minor aging
buyer's options:
bells may be
refinished or left as original
price: $600
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NuTone Supreme L-42
This simple
design is one of the few that would fit with a mid-century modem home.
A good candidate for cosmetic customization. Perf metal grill panel
could easily be dressed up with fabric. wallpaper, mirror, a photo, a
different paint color-- or whatever to accommodate your own decor.
Brass grill and NuTone logo could be removed or replaced with something else
of your choosing.
vintage:
date
stamped 1958
features:
16-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note or
8-note Westminster chimes sequence
2-notes for
second door, 1-note for third door
Volume
control
Plastic
cover with very convincing simulated blond oak finish.
assembled
dimensions:
10” wide x 5" deep x tbd" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Thoroughly
cleaned- looks almost like new.
Cover---
Cover lightly
polished.
Original grill
cloth removed.
Perf panel painted
satin black.
Bells----
Old tarnish
and finish removed.
Spin
brush-polished.
Clear
coated with lacquer.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
flaws
Crack
at bottom right of cover has been neatly glued-- visible but not hugely
distracting.
Typical
cracks in tops of bells-- absolutely not affecting tone, which is excellent.
price: $650
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NuTone
K30
Great
1950's flambeau twin longbell. As close to tail fins and a glittery
grill as you'll ever see on a door bell.
vintage:
mid 1950's
features:
Simple
2-wire 8volt installation
2-bells,
the larger 1-1/8" diameter tubes
2 note
sequence for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Plastic cover
with
brass and
sparkly grill cloth inset.
assembled
dimensions:
7-3/8” wide x 3" deep x 40-1/2" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Strike pins
replaced.
Chassis
repainted original gloss black.
Hardware
replaced with new brass parts.
Rubber
mounting grommets replaced
Looks much
better than new.
Cover---
Plastic
cleaned and polished.
Brass grill
refinished.
Sparkly
grill cloth replaced.
Bells----
Old tarnish
and finish removed.
Spin
brush-polished.
Clear
coated with lacquer.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
flaws:
None-
better than new.
price: $550
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Rittenhouse
Queen Anne 620R
Fantastic
art deco styling with clock case cover. All wood cover made of solid cherry
and book-matched mahogany veneer on the diagonal . 4-bell chime has rare sequence.
selector. One of the all-around classiest mechanisms ever. Photo is of
another similar one. Finish color is much darker. Clock hands in photo
are not the originals.
vintage:
late 1940's
features:
20/24-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
Three
selectable chime sequences.
2-note
second additional door
A different
1-note for third additional door
Wood cover,
constructed of solid cherry and book matched mahogany on the diagonal.
Original
Telechron clock with original hands.
assembled
dimensions: 11-1/4" wide x 5-0" deep x tbd"
long
service completed:
Mechanism----
Solenoid
tubes cleaned and polished.
Commutator
contacts adjusted.
Exterior
cleaned and polished.
Bells----
Newly
constructed bells, match original materials and appearance and sound.
Cover----
Original finish
spiffed.
Missing bits of
cherry moldings replaced.
Clock tested to
verify working order.
flaws:
Missing dust cover
over distributor.
price: $800
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NuTone
K28
Imperial
Classic
style twin longbell.
vintage:
early
1950's
features:
Simple
2-wire 8volt installation
2-bells
2 note
sequence for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Marbled nylon cover
with
brass
colored plastic decorative inset.
assembled
dimensions:
tbd” wide x tbd" deep x 38-1/2" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Gently
cleaned
Strike pins
adjusted and reinstalled.
Cover---
Gently
cleaned
Bells----
Old tarnish
and finish removed.
Spin
brush-polished.
Clear
coated with lacquer.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
flaws:
Cover very
slightly warped, typical of vintage nylon.
Otherwise,
just like new.
price: $500
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NuTone
Imperial - metal version
Classic
style twin longbell. Mechanism and bells are new-old stock... never
used. Cover was found separately.
vintage:
early
1950's
features:
Simple
2-wire 8volt installation
2-bells
2 note
sequence for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Steel cover
with faux wood grain paint and brass metal medallion
assembled
dimensions:
tbd” wide x tbd" deep x 38-1/2" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Gently
cleaned
Strike pins
adjusted and reinstalled.
Cover---
Gently
cleaned
Bells----
Old tarnish
and finish removed.
Spin
brush-polished.
Clear
coated with lacquer.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
flaws:
Wood grain
paint shows wear and is mildly crazed.
Top surface
of cover is mildly bent; not in view when installed.
buyers options:
Cover may be
refinished in color of choice.
price: $500
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Edwards
Moderne No.1462
Two-bell
long bell chime with flamboyant art deco styling.
Cover cast
from patented trademarked "Genuine Sylvite",
"a wonderfully durable composition wood", which looks a lot like clay or
plaster to me.
vintage:
date
stamped April 1942
features:
Simple
2-wire installation
2-bells
2 note
sequence for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Cast cover
with original white paint..
assembled
dimensions:
9-1/4” wide x 2-7/8" deep x tbd" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Original
finish on mechanism chassis cleaned and polished.
Bells---
Old tarnish
and finish removed.
Spin
brush-polished.
Clear
coated with lacquer.
Hanger
loops replaced with nylon braid cord.
Cover---
Original finish on
cover gently cleaned.
flaws:
Crack in
cover, seems to be original manufacturing flaw.
Minor chips
in white paint on cover, IMHO adds character.
Wear and
scratches on finish of mechanism.
buyer's
options:
Refinish
cover in color of choice.
price: $550
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Rittenhouse 610
Classic
traditional style in simple solid cherry case with working 24v Telechron
clock.
vintage:
believed to
be late 1940's
features:
24-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note
Westminster chimes sequence
1 note for
second door, another note for third door
Solid
cherry wood cover with original finish intact
24v
Telechron clock
assembled
dimensions:
9-1/2” wide x 4-1/4" deep x tbd" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes cleaned and polished.
Thoroughly
cleaned.
Cover---
Cover cleaned and
polished.
Clock glass and
face cleaned.
Bells----
Newly
constructed bells, match original materials and appearance and sound.
flaws
A few minor
scratches in wood finish, but much too nice to refinish.
Utilizes
notorious dashpot sequencer.
price $700
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Edwards Grandmother's Clock Chime No.1482
Here is a
bold art deco design with clock feature. Contrasting inlaid veneer
detail echoes vertical motif of the four bells.
vintage:
Known to be
early 1940's
features:
24-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note
Westminster chimes sequence
2
notes for second door
Veneer and
solid wood cover
24v
clock
assembled
dimensions:
7-3/8” wide x 4-3/8" deep x tbd" long
service to be completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Original
finish cleaned and polished
Bells---
Bells may
left as found or refinished
Cover---
Wood
refinished
Clock face
cleaned
flaws:
tbd
price: $800
Currently undergoing
complete
restoration.
Contact me for
availability if interested.
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NuTone Baronial K92
Never used,
new
old stock 4-bell chime with light feature. Includes original
instructions
vintage:
1980's
features:
16-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note or
8-note Westminster chimes sequence
1-note for
second door and third door
Soft light
created by four low voltage bulbs
Volume
control
Solid oak
cover with translucent plastic windows
assembled
dimensions:
10-1/2” wide x 5-1/4" deep x tbd" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Tested to
verify perfect working order.
Cover---
Dusted.
Bells----
Original
bells lost. Similar vintage NuTone bells
included.
New nylon
hanger hooks installed.
flaws
Like new
price: $600
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NuTone Jefferson
Without
doubt the most popular long bell chime ever.
vintage:
believed to
be 1950's
features:
20/24-volt
3-wire installation
4-bells
4-note or
8-note Westminster chimes sequence
1-note for
additional door
Volume
control
Wood cover,
constructed of solid walnut and mahogany veneer
assembled dimensions:
11"
wide x 6-1/4" deep x 56" or 59" long
service completed:
Mechanism----
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Rubber
parts replaced.
Exterior
cleaned and polished to degree possible while preserving original finish.
Bells----
Newly
constructed bells, match original materials and appearance and sound.
Cover----
Original finish
cleaned and generally spruced up.
Clock glass and
face cleaned.
flaws
Minor knicks and
scratches on housing.
price: $700
other examples of this model with minor variations available
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NuTone Resonator with Clock
This is a
compact resonator chime with clock , believed to be the first of many such
products from NuTone. Clock plugs into 110v with an additional cord.
Excellent tone!
vintage:
believed to
be late 1930's
features:
compact
design with resonators-- not a long bell
simple
2-wire installation
2-notes for
front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
110v
Telechron time clock with art deco face.
dimensions:
8-1/4” wide x 2-1/4" deep x 8-3/4" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Mounting
plate, bells and resonator tubes refinished.
New bell
suspension rubber grommets.
Hardware
bits replaced with new stainless steel parts.
>choice of
original 110v clock movement or conversion to quartz continuous motion
movement
Cover---
Resprayed
original color over original crinkle finish paint for authentic appearance.
>Choice of
original 110v clock movement or conversion to quartz continuous motion
movement.
flaws
two
scratches on clock face at 9 and 3 o'clock
price: $250
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NuTone Budget
"Budget"
was the official model name, the low cost model in the early NuTone product
line where longbells reigned.
vintage:
known to be
late 1930's
features:
Compact
design with resonators-- not a longbell
Simple
2-wire installation
2-notes for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Painted
steel cover with vbeautiful
stamped brass decoration
dimensions:
6-5/8” wide x 2-1/4" deep x 6-3/4" long
service completed:
Mechanism---
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Strike pins
replaced with hardwood dowel.
Rebound
shock absorber replaced.
New bell
suspension rubber grommets.
Hardware
bits replaced with new stainless steel parts.
Mounting
plate, and resonator tubes refinished.
Remnants of
original labels preserved.
Cover---
Cover
refinished similar to original color.
flaws
virtually
perfect and so very much better than original
price: $250
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Rittenhouse 3-Star Resonator
A small and
jewel-like resonator chime.
vintage:
early
1940's
features:
Compact
design with resonators-- not a long bell
Simple
8volt 2-wire installation
2-notes for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
dimensions:
7-1/8"” wide x 2-3/8" deep x 9-1/2" long
service completed:
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Original
finish on cover, resonator tubes and chassis cleaned an polished.
Metallic
brown area of cover repainted close match to original.
Stars and
flat bells refinished in original brass color.
New bell
suspension rubber grommets.
Hardware
bits replaced with new brass parts.
New rebound
bumper.
flaws
A few minor
chips in original finish of chassis.
Overall
effect is like-new.
price: $225
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Rittenhouse Brookdale 265
Another small and
jewel-like resonator chime.
vintage:
believed to
be late 1940's
features:
Compact
design with resonators-- not a long bell
Simple
8volt 2-wire installation
2-notes for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
dimensions:
7-1/8"” wide x 2-3/8" deep x 9-1/2" long
service completed:
Solenoid
tubes and plungers cleaned and polished.
Original
finish on cover and chassis cleaned an polished.
Resonator
tubes and bells refinished.
New bell
suspension rubber grommets.
Hardware
bits replaced with new stainless steel parts.
flaws
Very minor
dent on cover at lower front right.
A few minor
chips in original finish of chassis.
Overall
effect is like-new.
price: $200
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NuTone Door Chime with Clock
Fabulous
mid-century modern design, intended for recessed mount. Can be surface
mounted if you really want to do that. Chime sound is emitted through white
perf metal face. This one is NOS- new, never used with original
installation hardware and instructions!
vintage:
date
stamped Jul 1957
features:
Compact
design with clock
Simple
16volt 2-wire installation
2-notes for
front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Clock
dimensions:
housing--
6-3/4” wide x 6-3/4 hi x 2" deep
bezel--
service completed:
bezel
straightened and repainted
flaws
virtually
perfect
price: $300
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NuTone L12 Champion
Modest
modern style bar chime. 100% original and very gently used.
vintage:
late 1950's
features:
Compact
design with inboard resonators
Simple
8volt 2-wire installation
2-notes for front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Molded
plastic cover with gold-tone decoration.
dimensions:
7-1/2” wide x 4-3/4" high x 2-1/2" deep
service completed:
Cover
lightly polished.
Chassis
cleaned.
flaws
like new
price: $100
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NuTone L24
Mod style
bar chime. 100% original and very gently used.
vintage:
late 1960's
features:
Compact
design with resonators
Simple
8volt 2-wire installation
2-notes for
front door, basic ding-dong
1 note for
additional door
Molded
plastic cover with gold-tone hot-stamped decoration.
dimensions:
8-1/2” wide x 12" long x 3" deep
service completed:
Cover
lightly polished.
Chassis
cleaned.
flaws
minor wear
on hot stamping, otherwise excellent
price: $150
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12/12/12
