Vintage Audio Electronics by Riddim Restoration
Cool Product Report

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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.

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