Attn: record nuts, My newest addition!

[classiccaprice]

A 1961 Philco Console 1721. It's pretty sweet. It does need a new needle, any suggestions where to find one?

The speaker crackle of the previous post seems to have stopped, though I am a bit suspicious. Perhaps it was just something due to not being used?

 

[classiccaprice]

doors open

 

[fonografmaniac]

needle

check ebay or turntableneedles.com

 

[classiccaprice]

Close up

 

[classiccaprice]

Record player out...

Fantastic sound, despite the mysterious disappearing crackle...

 

[paulg]

Speaker crackle

Absolutely love the unit.
Oh gosh, there are a zillion causes of speaker crackle. First I'd put the unit in AUX mode for a while and see if it still crackles. If crackles continue, you likely have an OUTPUT problem. If the symptom goes away - keep looking.
I agree that you should probably use it a bit and see if the crackle subsides. Sometimes moisture gets into the tube sockets over time. Getting the unit warm dries it out.
Wiggle the function selector knob and volume control knob. Crackles? It is oxidized.
Also check for a speaker A/B switch on the back. These get noisy and can kill a channel (it did on my Magnavox).
If the crackle is only in the phono, check for a pop-mute switch in the changer mechanism. They kill the cartridge output when the needle is landing on the record. After some years they get noisy.
If all else fails, unplug the unit and remove/reinstall every tube. If the unit has been dormant a long time just the removal/reinstallation of the tubes establish good contact. Of course, the output tubes can be noisy. Usually then you'll hear crackle when the unit is in AUX mode as well.

 

[classiccaprice]

Thanks for the advice...

It does crackle in aux (or in my case Tape) mode. So I guess that helps a little.

The selector knob/volume knob is fine. But, I don't have an AB switch.

The crackle is comming from one or both of the tweeter the speaker on the left side of the unit (when facing it), the right is softer than the left there is no crackle there.

 

[charbee]

Crackle might be due to old capacitors suddenly being put into use, after a long period of dis-use. I've had this happen with old tube equipment before. It's always a good idea to power up old tube amps slowly with a "variac", so as not to jolt the old electronics.

You might want to check your speaker wires, and make sure they're all tightly connected. A lot of these old units used spade lugs, and there could be corrosion...a little sanpaper might work wonders.

With older stuff, there are all sorts of things that might be the cause of the noise, and you just have to check things out until you find what it is...good luck! It's a beautiful console!

 

[panthera]

right thread now

Since everybody has pretty much covered the usual suspects, there are only two minor things which I might suggest.
One, speakers in that era were put on with nuts which are unscrewed (and screwed back on by us) but were just pushed down onto the speakers by special tools. They loosen over time and then either the speaker chassis or actual bits of dirt or debris vibrates, making the noise. The same applies to all the mechanical components and the cabinet itself.
Two, try reversing the plug in the outlet. If there is a difference or if a "hum" ensues, then you have a system which was very common in those days (GE used something similar in their TVs into the 1980's) and the failure of a capacitor could lead to some serious nastiness, for you and the equipment.
My suggestion: If you really like this stereo (and it sure looks pretty), get it recapped.
Radio Shack, by the way, carries styli for Voice of Music changers still. Probably a new cartridge wouldn't hurt, either.
If you can't track that down, let us know - I was able to replace a cartridge in a '63 VM a few months ago with one from a Chinese unit. Mass was close enough as were dimensions.

 

[liamwa]

This guy is a great source for turntable cartridges and replacement needles as well as other audio gear. I've bought stuff from him, and was very satisfied with the service.

Liam

http://www.ewsaunders.com/

 

[volvoguy87]

Beautiful.

That is one nice Console. A little SC Johnson paste wax will make it shine after the cabinet has been cleaned with Murphy's Oil Soap. And the fact that you have an audio input is even better.

Connect your ipod up to your tube console, take that Steve Jobs!

Wonderful!
Dave

 

[classiccaprice]

I think I found the culpret...

The Balance knob... I sprayed some tuner cleaner on it and things seem to have improved. I'll keep you posted.

Dave, I'll try and post a picture of the controls tomorrow, since you asked earlier. Still working on that needle...

 

[classiccaprice]

It's a k1721, meaning she's a 62 model not a 61... doh!

here's a pic of the controls

Also, anyone have any clue where to go to get a blown speaker fixed... my father wants me to put modern speakers in there, but I hate to get rid of the old philcos.

Forgive the sideways picture guys, I'm in a rush.

 

[fonografmaniac]

montgomery wards

here's an interesting piece

http://cgi.ebay.com/retro-stereo-re...ryZ48649QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[washabear]

Oh, that is nice!

Thanks for showing it.

 

[jasonl]

WOW

That's a nice console! Cool how everything is mounted in the front instead of on top like most other consoles. Perfect for little kids to mess with it lol.

TT is a VM. find the make and number of the cartridge and get on Ebay.

 

[classiccaprice]

Whats TT?

 

[rickr]

Turntable. Voice of Music built record changers for many US built phonographs from the 1930's to the end of the "record player era" The changers were rebadged for Zenith and many other manufactures. It is easy to spot a VM changer once you know what to look for. There were many out there back in the day, and quite a few are still around.

Cool vintage stereo you have there! Consoles are nice to have around, in you have the room. They make a nice piece of furnature also.

 

[panthera]

Actually,

V-M is still in business (tho' no longer manufacturing, only servicing) and has both the cartridges and styli. See link.
Since that turntable is now past its 40 years between servicing interval, you ought to clean and lube it.

It takes a whale of a lot of energy to blow speakers. Be sure you know that your system is electrically ok before you install a new one. Bad capacitors (I know we sound like a bad record here) are one reason.

It is more likely to be in the crossover or wiring connection than the actual speaker coil. But, if the speaker coil itself is blown, it can be rebuilt. There are two contingencies involved. One, since this is a stereo, you should have the other channel's equivalent speaker rebuilt at the same time.
Two, I prefer tube amps to solid state, who doesn't? But the difference in sound quality between a good speaker (nothing expensive, Radio Shack quality) and the best used in consoles back in the early sixties (excepting some Magnavox, pre-Astro-Sonic) is so tremendously great, I agree with your dad. Speaker sizes haven't changed, you can still get one that will fit. I'd replace the speakers, lube and clean the turntable, recap the amps and your beautiful Philco will sound as good as she looks.
Total investment should be under 100$, tops, if you do it yourself.
Keep asking questions, there are lots of folks here who know how to do these things and will be happy to help.
Please, I know I sound like a 15 year old, but could we have more photos, please? (I'd love some of the inside, too.)

http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/

 

[classiccaprice]

Thank you all for the compliments!

Liam, I emailed the sales at ewsaunders.com, but the message was returned do to "fatal error".... Any idea what's up with the owner of the site?

Miguel, I talked to turntableneedles.com, while I was there I asked about a cartridge for one of my other players (a 1980 Panasonic, previously posted, a few months back). I was pleased with the service until he raised the price $20 of the cartridge I needed within 6 hours of my email. Perhaps it was coincidence, but that smells fishy.

Rick, Thanks for the clarification.

Dave, I'm suprised you haven't thrown in your two cents in a while... Where'd you go?

Kevin, It was brought to my attention that I may have a weak tube, I've got a friend comming in with a tube tester in the next few months. The sound is slightly tin sounding, but It still works ok. I'm going to wait until I get the tubes tested before I replace the speakers. And, yes, I am sure that I may have to replace a capasitor or two, I've got a 57 Bulvola clock radio and a 46 Stromberg Carlson radio that need it first though, all I get there is a hum. At least the Philco plays and sounds pretty good. I just know it has more potential than it's current state. I just need to figure out how to do it.

I'll try and take the back off and take more pics later today.

 

[volvoguy87]

2 cents.

Here they are.

Since we have been talking on the phone, I haven't felt the need to duplicate our conversations online. I will bring my tube tester when I am able to visit and hopefully sort some things out. I would vote for rebuilding your speakers because the speakers used originally in many console stereos were of excellent quality. I don't know much about Philco consoles, but I have a few Philco radios from the 30s and 40s which are very good. Hopefully your console will be able to rival a modern system, not in volume, but in sound quality.

You don't have to be the biggest or the loudest, just the best,
(Y'all can that as you like, but I am straight!)
Dave

 

[classiccaprice]

Rear view!

 

[classiccaprice]

It's code 121, sorry, not 5 (the sticker on the back of the console said code 5, but I trust this more.)

 

[classiccaprice]

Working Speakers

 

[classiccaprice]

Not working that well speakers.

 

[classiccaprice]

the tubes take 1

I was at an awkward angle, so I appologise, but I had to take 3 pics to get all of the tubes in

 

[classiccaprice]

tubes take 2

 

[classiccaprice]

Tubes take 3

What is that brown stuff that looks like it drizzled on picture 2?

 

[fonografmaniac]

classiccaprice, your philco was mfgd in 1967 just by going by some of the numbers on the speaker magnet.

jasonl, the tt in the montgomary wards console is a bsr.

 

[classiccaprice]

I wonder if the speaker was replaced....

The information I read online said that the "K" in the model number (K1721) stood for 1962. I got the origional date of 1961 off one of the tubes. I can't find the site for the model number right now, I'll hunt around for it.

Also, I know Ford bought Philco in 1961, and changed the name to Philco-Ford in 1966. So if the unit was built in 1967 it should be labeled "Philco-Ford" like the early 70s portable tv I saw recently.

http://www.philcoradio.com/history/later.htmhttp://www.oldradio.com/archives/hardware/philco.htm