Tivoli Model One – Service History and Additional Examples

This page chronicles Tivoli Model One service history, and additional examples.
Latest revisions are at the bottom of the page.

Table 1
Additional Tivoli "Model One" Examples
First purchase / October 16, 2004 / (HAM shack) Tivoli Model One (serial № R425146 0304) Source: Soundworks / 3400 Monroe Ave., Suite 4 / $99.00 Condition: new	Second purchase / December 2006 / (M. Schauber) Tivoli Model One (serial № R363503 0806) Includes AUX position Source: Tivoli website Condition: new
Third purchase / circa 2010 - 2011 / (kitchen) Tivoli Model One (serial № J175286 0710) Source: Tivoli website Condition: new	Fourth purchase / April 2015 / (Savage wedding) Tivoli Model One(serial № J324174 0914) Source: Tivoli website Condition: new
Fifth purchase / December 20, 2016 / (living room) Tivoli Model One (serial № 04870) Source: eBay / $76.26 + $13.55 freight Condition: used, but mint, and boxed	This space intentionally left blank.

Update / August 1, 2005: Ordered a new AC power cord (for serial № R425146 0304) directly from Tivoli Audio for $5.00. Customer service manager Brian Lewandowski handled the transaction. The original power cord was damaged when the weight-chains of a cuckoo clock shorted-out the wall plug, resulting in some charring, and melting.

Brian M. Lewandowski
Customer Service Manager
Tivoli Audio
451 D Street, Suite 902
Boston, MA 02210
t: +1 (877) 297.9479 x102
f: +1 (617) 428.0088
Brian Lewandowski
blewandowski ]at[ tivoliaudio.com
Update July 15, 2006: After nearly two years of enjoying the first Model One (serial № R425146 0304), the radio still looked, sounded, and felt like new. I haven't used it to listen to many AM stations, but it does pick them up when I want to focus on the broadcast band programming. Also note that in 2006, the price rose to $119 – an increase of $20 in less than two years. The "Platinum" Series (solid wood cabinet instead of veneer) sold for $199 as of July 2006. As of August 2014, the price of the Tivoli Model One was $149. In September 2020, it was holding steady at $149, and as of December 2024, it was listed as $149.99.
Update / January 10, 2007: Bought a new Tivoli Model One (serial № R363503 0806) for my wife's mother in December 2006 (black ash veneer cabinet with black faceplate, silver speaker, tuning dial, and controls). The combination switch for "OFF/FM/AM" also included a new position for "AUX" to select auxiliary input. My original Model One did not include the AUX position (see photo). When she moved into a nursing home, I took possession the radio and instruction manual.
Update / circa 2010 - 2011: Bought another new Tivoli Model One (serial № J175286 0710) for the kitchen at home (black ash veneer cabinet with black faceplate, silver speaker, tuning dial, and controls). The "0710" in the serial number indicates a July 2010 build date, which narrows down the possibilities of the actual purchase date. Early on, this radio developed alignment and frequency drift problems. It constantly needed to be re-tuned on the AM band. Also, the dial did not align to where the radio (frequency/station) was actually tuned. This is the only Model One that had problems. The others worked as designed.
Update / April 2015: Bought a new Tivoli Model One (serial № J324174 0914) – direct from Tivoli Audio as a wedding gift for my boss. It featured a cobalt blue faceplate with a cherry wood veneer cabinet. December 20, 2024: The cobalt/cherry model (serial № J324174 0914) was taken to Tilton TV repair. The problem was that it started making a loud pop while the power, and signal strength lights dimmed. Earl was unable to duplicate the problem in the shop. I then provided Earl with a schematic of the Tivoli Model One.
Update / December 20, 2016: Bought a used Tivoli Model One (serial № 04870 [Note: that's the complete number!] – shorter than the other serial numbers) for the living room. The cobalt blue faceplate with cherry wood veneer cabinet variant was NLA from Tivoli, so purchased it on eBay. Cost: $76.26 + $13.55 freight. Condition: mint, and boxed.

Minor Problems with Tivoli Model One "kitchen radio" (serial № J175286 0710)

Update / August 26, 2021 - Called Tivoli customer support (Tel. 877-297-9479) regarding the kitchen radio (serial № J175286 0710), and was told they no longer serviced the Model One, but recommended Rockport Radio (www.rockportradio.com). Submitted a quote request on the Rockport Radio website. Got an automated confirmation with a ticket (query) number, and a separate reply from John Polcari.

Note: Followed up with Rockport Radio again in October 2021, November 2021, July 2023, August 2023, and December 2023, but got no reply.

Subject: Re: Rockport Radio Repair Query [#1278]
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:36:09 +0000
From: John Polcari <info ]at[ rockportradio.com>
Reply-To: John Polcari <info ]at[ rockportradio.com>
To: jpmiller123 ]at[ gmail.com

Hi Jeff,

Yeah, that's "tuner drift", and it requires a tuner replacement, which unfortunately we can't do right now. We don't have any replacement tuners at this time. We're hoping to source some soon from China. We're in touch with a former Tivoli supplier, and we're talking, but we have no idea about delivery time. Please get back to us in a couple of months.

Thanks, John
www.rockportradio.com

Update / September 4, 2024: Contacted Tivoli about the kitchen radio (serial № J175286 0710), and they provided the following information.

Subject: [Tivoli Audio] Re: New customer message on September 3, 2024 at 7:53 pm
Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:16:52 +0000
From: Jed Lenon (Tivoli Audio) <info ]at[ tivoliaudio.com>
Reply-To: Tivoli Audio <info ]at[ tivoliaudio.com>
To: jpmiller123 <jpmiller123 ]at[ gmail.com>

Hi Jeff,

From your serial number (J175286 0710), we can see the unit was manufactured in 2010. At that time, we used a particular analogue tuner in the Model One. In the 14 years since, we've changed the tuner style, and our new ones would not be compatible with your radio. We simply do not have the tuner available to offer repair for this unit. While we can't offer repair, I can offer a 30% discount code off the cost of a replacement Model One, if you choose to take advantage of it. This is an open ended offer. If you would like to take advantage of it, please let me know.

Kind regards,
Jed Lenon // Customer Relations Manager

Update / December 20, 2024: Brought the kitchen radio (serial № J175286 0710) to Earl Tilton (Tilton TV Repair) to address the tuning dial alignment, and frequent adjustments needed to eliminate scratchiness, and/or drifting off frequency. The tuning capacitor is capable of being adjusted. He reported that he was able to remove the metal shield, and pry the tuning capacitor apart, and get some Deoxit D5 on the grounding points of the plates.

Dec 20, 2024, 7:47 PM / Earl wrote,

Hi Jeff,

I have made progress on your radio (serial № J175286 0710). I put some DeoxIT D5 in a hypodermic needle, and after sliding the plastic cover off, I injected a small amount at the grounding points on bottom and top of tuning capacitor. The hardest part was removing the top and bottom shields. About a half hour holding my tongue just right, and working with soldering iron, X-ACTO knife to lift, and a solder sucker. It's working now. I haven't put the shield back on yet. I wanted to hold off until I am sure the circuit is stable. I ran out of time today to continue.

Bob's radio (serial № J324174 0914) is interesting. I had it on all the time I was in the shop, and it never goofed up!

Next setting I will take it apart and probe a little. Next chance will probably be Monday (12/23/24).

I couldn't print out the schematics from the radio museum website. If I need them for Bob's radio I will let you give it a try.

Earl
Update / December 30, 2024: Emailed, and texted Earl for the status. He replied via text that the radio was ready. He recalibrated the upper band setting with the local FM oscillator trimmer.

Update / December 31, 2024 / 8:30 AM: Picked up the kitchen radio (serial № J175286 0710) at Earl's shop. Cost: $118.20.

To Be Continued.

c o n t a c t / r a d i o w o r l d

Return to Tivoli Model One Overview

Tivoli Model One – Service History and Additional Examples
Established: December 23, 2024
Last Update: December 31, 2024
Links Verified December 23, 2024
© Black Sparrow Photography / Jeffrey P. Miller (N2AWA)