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Last Edited:
12-Sep-2004

....from a ScottKit brochure circa 1962

"For many years Scott engineers were thinking of introducing Scott components in kit form for the home builder. However, they felt that the kits then on the market were too uncertain in the hands of amateur kit builders. The wiring diagrams were extremely complex, and alignment and balancing required special test equipment. Plus, kits looked like kits ..... they were unattractive and bulky. Scott engineers decided to take a brand new approach, first of all, new components were developed that were foolproof for home builders. Circuitry was devised to make placement of wires and parts less critical. A unique system of FM tuner alignment (called the EZ-A-Line method), eliminated the need for special test instruments. Instruction books were written so that they avoided the pitfalls common in other kits, plus they were in full color. Only a limited number of steps were described per page, and special parts charts to hold the parts described on each page separately, and in order used. The kit builder need know nothing about engineering to build Scott Kits.

Results have been spectacular -- amateurs who never even soldered before report they built Scott Kits that beat our published specifications in just a few hours. Magazine editors and reviewers tell us our specifications are much too conservative. Other manufacturers are paying us the highest compliment by emulating our designs and original features. There is one thing however, that cannot be copied. The Scott reputation for quality, integrity and leadership.....a reputation hard won by constant attention to detail, and by continuing advances in engineering. Our best salesman are unpaid - our satisfied customers."

Editor's Note: As a note to collectors, while ScottKits were closely based on existing production models there were significant differences (features/specifications, styling and circuitry). Also, while some kits were available "factory wired," others may have built by less skilled home builders, potentially reducing their performance, value, and  reliability.

Ironically, the ScottKits a had a higher wholesale cost to the company (in unwired form) than their comparable non-kit models, when the additional costs of engineering design changes, instruction manuals, customer service, and packaging were added into the total cost of goods equation. Yet, market pressures resulted in un-built ScottKits selling at approximately 25% to 33% less than their non-kit models. The Scott marketing department apparently felt the ScottKits were important to meet competitive pressures from kit-competitors like: Dynaco (Dynakit), Heath (Heathkit), and EICO.

Vacuum tube ScottKits spanned the factory-wired offerings and included: FM Tuners (Mono & Multiplex), Multiplex Adaptors, Preamps, Power Amps, and Integrated Amps. No ScottKit (tube) receivers were ever offered.