MAC SE/30 with orange colored CRT

[Bendix]

A while ago I had an SE/30 with an orange colored CRT. I could not find anything about this on the internet and finally was so annoyed with it, that I sold it on ebay.

The wrong color seemed to be the property of the tube itself, the “error” could easily be fixed by swapping only the CRT with one from a normal b/w Mac and the CRT in question would continue to be orange in another Mac.

Now someone told me, that these Macs where built for the military and that they are quite rare.

Could anyone confirm this?

 

[tt]

Was there anything else unusual about the SE/30 like additions to the case or internals? I personally would have kept it since it is somewhat usual.

 

[Bendix]

Not to my recollection, no. In fact to be precise I kept the SE/30 and swapped the orange colored CRT with one from an SE 1/20, which I bought and sold then „orange colored“ on ebay. The new proprietor just recently swapped the tube again with one he bought on ebay and told me today that he still has the orange one in storage.

 

[davidg5678]

I think this may just mean that a previous owner swapped the original CRT with a different one that had an amber phosphor at some point. Some people prefer this color over white. The color of the screen is not an "error". CRTs can be manufactured with different colored phosphors including White, Amber, and Green.

 

[Bendix]

Interesting, I did not know, that this type of 9" CRT could have been produced in a variety of colors. I think I make the new owner an offer to buy the tube back. Here is another pic I found on my iphone.

 

[marcelv]

do you have a type / model number of this crt?

 

[Bendix]

Unfortunately not, since I sold it a few month ago. I am right now in contact with the current owner in order to buy it back. He swapped the tube for a b/w but did not throw away the amber one. Should I get it back I will post pics of the rear view. In any case I could ask the guy to send me such pics incl. type / model number.

 

[techknight]

it may be the CRT that is from the IBM 5155. There were a couple different OEMs, the main one being Zenith. 

 

[Bendix]

That could very well be. From this pic it looks very similar to the Mac ones.

 

[Bendix]

So I was able to buy the crt back and it is on its way. Will report back with pics as soon as I have it. []

 

[Franklinstein]

Basically there were three different monochrome phosphors available for computer CRTs: amber, green, and white. Other colors including variations of green and amber were available for special purpose applications, especially blue for oscilloscopes, but they were generally very small and not intended for long-term viewing, Amber was popular in IBM PCs. I think it was supposed to reduce eye strain. Green was common in terminals for ages and found use in home computers up to the mid-80s. White phosphors are the most common for consumer use though. No monochrome Macs ever shipped with anything other than white phosphor so yours has been modified at some point.

Someone on the 'bay is currently selling amber 9" Zenith CRTs like this, basically the unused innards from an IBM display of some sort. I bough one to swap into one of my Macs. I need to get a green one eventually.

 

[Bendix]

So I received the crt back today. It is an "Elston Electronics DM30-09BQ-415-CLA , M24-308LA/P", manufactured July 1984. Apparently the company produces industry crts and is indeed a NATO manufacturer, so my source, that suspected some military usage might not be completely wrong after all. BTW I am happy to sell the crt again (50 EUR plus shipment), now that my curiosity is satisfied. Here are some pics

 

[jimjimx]

I have nothing to contribute, but think It looks pretty cool. I need a CRT for a FDHD, and would consider buying one that’s amber...

 

[Bendix]

I would be happy to send it back to the US. However I have to point out two things.

I cannot fully gurantee, that it works now, since I am not the last owner, who saw it in working order. I sold the Mac with the amber crt three months ago, then helped the new owner to buy a b/w one on the bay and sent him instructions on how to swap it. He assured me that he did it with care, so it should be fine.

Secondly I have no experience with global shipping. I could put it on ebay with their global shipping program and send you the link as soon as it is on and then you would have no trouble with customs etc. I am open for any suggestions.

 

[giolicious]

Never seen any old Mac with an orange CRT tube. That’s interesting. Are you the original owner?

 

[Realitystorm]

An aftermarket change?  They don't list the mac, but they list the 9" size and the company name isn't the same, but it is from New York.

https://books.google.ca/books?id=kS4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA72&lpg=PA72&dq=macintosh+replacement+amber+crt&source=bl&ots=mw69krkVvz&sig=ACfU3U1JAqg695Yi8ioGQv-jhRRFLGcvMQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwzvKGzrjpAhXSnOAKHQ9gAdkQ6AEwC3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=macintosh replacement amber crt&f=false

 

[Bendix]

Interesting find and fascinating to read InfoWorld from 1984, where a 10 MB mfm drive for an IBM XT was 895$. Well this amber crt is from the same year, so that definitely rules out Apple. And sorry, I am not the original owner. I got the Mac from a friend I have lost contact to but I think I will drop him a note and ask, if he can shed some light on the mistery.

 

[marcelv]

Strange, the yoke coil seems to be from wk13 1990

Is the a coil added to a surplus CRT?

whar would shipping to the Netherlands be?

 

[Bendix]

I noted the newer coil, too. I have no idea who assembled crt and coil and I am still waiting for a response from the previous owner.

Shipping as an insured 5kg DHL package to the Netherlands is 15,99 EUR.