Consolette stereos: 1958-74...

[cfz2882]

smaller,sometimes portable,often plastic, stereo phonos sometimes with a radio. Only have one in collection right now; wooden cabinet,1966 Japanese Delmonico-little series string tube amp and AM/FM mono radio, IIRC 3X5" woofers. Rubber motor mounts turned to goo,so phono inop , but radio works-sound a little grainy, no doubt a proper service would correct that. Others I have had in the deep past include a black plastic GE wildcat from about 1969,a hot pank motorola that had IIRC,4X10 woofers. Besides the wrong color for a guy,the pink was starting to yellow and looked awful,so tried to spray paint black- paint attempt "fisheyed"so junked it-transformer was redeployed and survives to this day, 1973 date code on it A Philips,made in Holland was obtained and that one i think was from around 1962: new enough for a transistor amp,but old enough for a selenium rectifier on the seperate power supply chassis. A special fave i got about 1979 at used store was a dark blue RCA from about 1967: some sort of commercial/school model it was a heavy beast with substantial transistor amp, a NE-51 strobe lamp, and a little 2-blade fan on the motor. Loved this RCA until i somehow screwed it up and junked it. I have been unable to identify this RCA and would love to find another

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Do you men compact as in all the components in a single cabinet?

I have had my share of those, though each component breaking down lead me to going the separate route being the best, viable option...

There's one particular, back in the old days of photographing that maybe I can put my one particular prized-one here...

 

[phillymatt53]

Oh, a new thread topic huh?
Nice!

I'll toss in my own "Consolette" here...
A 1958 RCA Victor compact consolette.
And as everybody knows, I've done substantial mods/customizing to it.

Originally a scratched-up blond cabinet - now Black Satin.
Original tube amp -replaced with my own custom 6V6 push-pull 10 watt amp.
Original speaker - replaced with 3 large oval speakers, new grill cloth.
Original record changer - replaced with a newer RCA "Studiomatic" model.
Plus some other tidbits that I added.

 

[vacerator]

See the latest post on the Modern Living thread. A 1969 GE "stereo for people with everything but space".

 

[phillymatt53]

See the latest post on the Modern Living thread. A 1969 GE "stereo for people with everything but space".

Yes, I saw that one.

 

[rp2813]

Matt, that's a nice RCA Victor set. No surprise that it shared design treatments with my '62 JVC Delmonico stereo/phono. The original VOM phonograph required a total restoration job that I wasn't interested in doing, so I found a later VOM model that required little modification to install. Otherwise, it didn't need anything. Sound quality isn't great (not even a bass adjustment) but I only use it for vintage LPs. It has a hot chassis, but the jewel light only illuminates if the on/off knob is turned. I don't know what the point of a hot chassis ever was, and one of these days I'll give it an in-line switch. Legs can be removed for tabletop use.

 

[phillymatt53]

Matt, that's a nice RCA Victor set. No surprise that it shared design treatments with my '62 JVC Delmonico stereo/phono. The original VOM phonograph required a total restoration job that I wasn't interested in doing, so I found a later VOM model that required little modification to install. Otherwise, it didn't need anything. Sound quality isn't great (not even a bass adjustment) but I only use it for vintage LPs. It has a hot chassis, but the jewel light only illuminates if the on/off knob is turned. I don't know what the point of a hot chassis ever was, and one of these days I'll give it an in-line switch. Legs can be removed for tabletop use.

I actually had that Delmonico model in the shop for repairs!
And yes, I did the overhaul on the record changer, lord knows, I've done countless VM changers over the years, and I'm even good friends with Gary Stork with his VM parts website.
My RCA also has removable legs for tabletop use.
But I use it in the bedroom, in a corner, in case I want to nap, relax, or fall asleep to some easy-listening music.
Those 3 oval speakers that I installed kick ass with the bass turned up too.

Here's the insides...... all speakers are 12 ohms and wired in parallel to make 4 ohms.

 

[circlew]

Oh, a new thread topic huh?
Nice!

I'll toss in my own "Consolette" here...
A 1958 RCA Victor compact consolette.
And as everybody knows, I've done substantial mods/customizing to it.

Originally a scratched-up blond cabinet - now Black Satin.
Original tube amp -replaced with my own custom 6V6 push-pull 10 watt amp.
Original speaker - replaced with 3 large oval speakers, new grill cloth.
Original record changer - replaced with a newer RCA "Studiomatic" model.
Plus some other tidbits that I added.

View attachment 320860

One of my neighbors used to have one that looked a great deal like that. They either received it as a wedding gift, or bought it shortly after their marriage in 1961. It had a walnut finish.

 

[cfz2882]

thanks for the under pics of that '58 RCA consolette I have a 1954 Philco mono consolette that is similar-(both amp and changer are inop and need a good going through someday-amp is fairly substantial with a pair of octal push-pull output tubes. Amp has no power transformer and uses a pair of selenium rectifiers in a doubler arrangement like some '50s TVs used.

 

[phillymatt53]

thanks for the under pics of that '58 RCA consolette I have a 1954 Philco mono consolette that is similar-(both amp and changer are inop and need a good going through someday-amp is fairly substantial with a pair of octal push-pull output tubes. Amp has no power transformer and uses a pair of selenium rectifiers in a doubler arrangement like some '50s TVs used.

Indeed, that Philco WILL require a complete going-over before use.
And a tube-tester to check the tubes condition as well.

 

[cfz2882]

I gave the Philco a quick look over after I got it: rubber motor mounts are bad and there is a big carbon resistor burnt in two under the amp as well as several of the loved/hated "bumblebee" capacitors.

 

[phillymatt53]

I gave the Philco a quick look over after I got it: rubber motor mounts are bad and there is a big carbon resistor burnt in two under the amp as well as several of the loved/hated "bumblebee" capacitors.

All that and more are typical issues on those old vintage things.
When I was in the shop, before retiring, I'd get an occasional customer bringing in their vintage piece and stating "It doesn't work, it's probably just something simple".

And whenever I heard that I immediately replied that it's never "something simple".
That common line from them was a hint that they didn't want to put a lot of money into their broken vintage item. - Which I had to straighten them out and informed them that the parts and labor were quite possibly going to be substantial for something vintage.

Some people think it's "only a $29 " quick-fix"................. it's NOT.
Brendan, in all honesty, you're Philco if it came into my shop would likely cost roughly in the area of $300+ to service, and to make safe to use.

 

[cfz2882]

$300 would be a good deal for the likely easy repair on this phono as long as the cartridge or motor don't have anything "funny' going on-the amp would be easy -standard parts and plenty of under chassis space. Probably a "hot" chassis since it is transformerless.

 

[phillymatt53]

$300 would be a good deal for the likely easy repair on this phono as long as the cartridge or motor don't have anything "funny' going on-the amp would be easy -standard parts and plenty of under chassis space. Probably a "hot" chassis since it is transformerless.

1954 is an old set.....regardless.

The record changer will need a teardown, cleaning, and fresh lubrication.
Additionally, the cartridge is likely bad and needing replacment.
I usually put in a lighter-tracking stereo cartidge so modern records are not damaged.
The motor mounts, idler drive tire will also need replacing.
That alone is a $100 estimate job.
Hell, the idler tire replacement is $40 plus shipping these days.

The amp will need all new capacitors, possibly some resistors are out of tolerance too.
Controls need flushing/cleaning.
The tubes need to be tested, and if weak or bad, will need replacement.
Wiring brittle or deteriorating will need replacing
So the amp might run up a decent $$$ too.

Add in the labor involved.... I'd still say about $300.
But think of it this way..... it's just a One Time investment, good for decades of safe use and enjoyment.

 

[pstehle]

1954 is an old set.....regardless.

The record changer will need a teardown, cleaning, and fresh lubrication.
Additionally, the cartridge is likely bad and needing replacment.
I usually put in a lighter-tracking stereo cartidge so modern records are not damaged.
The motor mounts, idler drive tire will also need replacing.
That alone is a $100 estimate job.
Hell, the idler tire replacement is $40 plus shipping these days.

The amp will need all new capacitors, possibly some resistors are out of tolerance too.
Controls need flushing/cleaning.
The tubes need to be tested, and if weak or bad, will need replacement.
Wiring brittle or deteriorating will need replacing
So the amp might run up a decent $$$ too.

Add in the labor involved.... I'd still say about $300.
But think of it this way..... it's just a One Time investment, good for decades of safe use and enjoyment.

Where do you even get belts and idlers these days? Probably Amazon has a lot, if you don't mind jenky Chinese rubber that turns to goo in a couple years... I think EV Game is long gone, they used to offer just about anything to fit just about anything -like ECG before NTE stole their numbering system (though I just read they bought ECG out, so I guess it's ok)

 

[cfz2882]

I was thinking about creating a post on that exact subject-I have machines with rubber tires,belts,pinch rollers, all over the place: all types of tape players,VCRs,phonos,projectors,even CD players often have belts. A few of my cars have cassette players too.

 

[phillymatt53]

Where do you even get belts and idlers these days? Probably Amazon has a lot, if you don't mind jenky Chinese rubber that turns to goo in a couple years... I think EV Game is long gone, they used to offer just about anything to fit just about anything -like ECG before NTE stole their numbering system (though I just read they bought ECG out, so I guess it's ok)

NTE is no longer in business for parts as of about 2 years ago.
Some residual stock is still available on some websites until it's all gone.
I've got a bunch of NTE and older rare ECG transistors and IC's that I brought home when we closed the shop.

As for phono parts, I've got several reliable distributors that supply belts, idler wheels, new and vintage phono cartridges, etc.

 

[rinso]

For belts and to refurbish or replace idler wheels, check out the Voice of Music website. I had my 62 year-old Magnavox/Collaro idler wheel rebuilt by them.

 

[pstehle]

Well I bought a pallet of about a dozen Akai and Teac reel-to-reel decks a couple years ago, waiting for space to open them up and rebuild them. Thanks for the suggestions on parts access!

 

[cfz2882]

I a bunch of reel to reel tape machines too-none in regular use at the moment , a couple work ok including 1959 Sony Tapecorder 101. 3 other Sony '62,'65,'68. Akai from '66,68,69. A GE,'69, tape portion made by VM. And junk remains of JVC 1967 and Philips 1962.
Back around 1997-02, I used the '68 Sony to record coast to coast AM and when the Sony broke down with tire trouble,used the '69 GE.
The tuner i used was a 1962 Stromberg-Carlson salvaged from a junked school PA console. That tuner was tube except for silicon diode rectifiers.

 

[phillymatt53]

I a bunch of reel to reel tape machines too-none in regular use at the moment , a couple work ok including 1959 Sony Tapecorder 101. 3 other Sony '62,'65,'68. Akai from '66,68,69. A GE,'69, tape portion made by VM. And junk remains of JVC 1967 and Philips 1962.
Back around 1997-02, I used the '68 Sony to record coast to coast AM and when the Sony broke down with tire trouble,used the '69 GE.
The tuner i used was a 1962 Stromberg-Carlson salvaged from a junked school PA console. That tuner was tube except for silicon diode rectifiers.

My only reel-to-reel is a 1980 Akai 4000D, and it's part of my main system.
I rarely use it, but I did perform a complete servicing and calibration on it a couple of years ago.
It's a nice simple machine, great quality, and records and plays tapes with surprising results identical to the source fed into it.
I've heard that even law enforcement and government used it for recording crimes due to its quality and reliability.

This is it on my service bench a few years ago....

 

[cfz2882]

Very cool and presuming 3-motor ? Akai was very good at making rugged, high performance tape machines of all types,even VCRs: I have an Akai cassette,1981, 2 motor ,and it is one of my faves: best sonics of any of my cassette decks including Revox. Highest picture performace VCR i ever had is an Akai from about 1986-pinch roller is bad now. And Akai 8-track with that big 2-speed induction motor.

 

[phillymatt53]

Very cool and presuming 3-motor ? Akai was very good at making rugged, high performance tape machines of all types,even VCRs: I have an Akai cassette,1981, 2 motor ,and it is one of my faves: best sonics of any of my cassette decks including Revox. Highest picture performace VCR i ever had is an Akai from about 1986-pinch roller is bad now. And Akai 8-track with that big 2-speed induction motor.

Actually, my Akai is a single-motor design belt driving a hefty capstan flywheel, and uses a well designed idler and clutch system to drive the reel tables.
And since I like "simple" systems, I naturally appreciate this machine's design.

I've serviced customers high-end machines in the shop with all their problematic micro switches solenoids, and mechanisms, like those Pioneer RT-707 and RT-909's, the Technics RS-1500US, and Akai PRO-1000, etc..
And while they're expensive nice machines, loaded with features, I honestly can't hear any difference in sound quality to my simple Akai.

Besides, the Akai's a compact machine which fits nicely in the cabinet under all my Technics equipment.

 

[vacerator]

What are your speakers Matt?

 

[phillymatt53]

What are your speakers Matt?

The floor standing speakers are from 1988.
They are Advent "Maestro" 3-way models that were the top-line model back then.
The pair listed for $700 originally.

Heavy suckers they are!
Here's an old ad that I saved from a Crutchfield catalog.

 

[vacerator]

Matt, I have KLH Barons from 1978.

 

[phillymatt53]

Matt, I have KLH Barons from 1978.

KLH made some fine speakers too.

Boston Acoustics, KLH, Advent, Dynaco, BIC, all had that "East Coast Sound" that I prefer.
It was a smooth, accurate non-fatiguing sound that became popular.
Different from the "West Coast Sound"of the Cerwin Vega's which were more In-Your-Face harsh that was popular with hard-rockers and heavy metal freaks.

 

[vacerator]

I agree Matt. Bose too? My cousin has his 901's he bought while in the army in the 70's with the dedicated equalizer. I was considering the OHM C-2's. The Tech Hifi salesman had me listen to my KLH and I liked them better.

 

[phillymatt53]

I agree Matt. Bose too? My cousin has his 901's he bought while in the army in the 70's with the dedicated equalizer. I was considering the OHM C-2's. The Tech Hifi salesman had me listen to my KLH and I liked them better.

I've heard the Bose 901's, they were decent speakers, however they didn't really excite me.

My nextdoor neighbor Vin picked up a pair of AR Acoustic Research model LST speakers a couple of years ago.
They were both needing new tweeters - 4 per speaker!
The only current replacement tweeters are German Made ones that required a minor change to the crossover network.
I ordered them from one of my distributors - 8 total, along with the crossover coils and did the job for him.
They're fantastic-sounding speakers, originally sold for $600 each and rare as hell to find these days.
However, they each weigh over 100 pounds, and I had a nasty backache afterwords.

Here's Vin's system and an ad for the LST's

 

[pstehle]

We got a pair of the original Advents and a pair of Bose 901s at the Host Farm in Lancaster waaay back when. I couldn't really tell a difference in performance, to me they sounded very similar, but the Boses were less efficient and were best when carefully positioned in the room. I had a pair of 601 series II's for years, Bose had a trade-up program because the tweeters would fail and they couldn't get replacements, so I used that to upgrade to the last version. Currently have a pair of wonderful Monitor Audio 2-ways in the living room, and a pair of Clements in the family room. Those sound incredible, in spite of the fact that the surround adhesive has let go of the cones, and I'm not motivated enough to reglue them... You gotta be careful with vintage speakers, the foam tends to rot if they're let sit unused for too long. I think they need used regularly to redistribute the plasticizers, but that's just my theory...