ovrphil
Well-known member
I'd like to be closer to check it out; would be nice if there more photos of the unit.
http://battlecreek.craigslist.org/gms/3907113303.html
http://battlecreek.craigslist.org/gms/3907113303.html
Battle Creek Garage Sale - Fisher Console 1964
- Thread starter ovrphil
- Start date
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Nice!
You don't see a lot of French Provincial any more. The fact that this is Fisher (back when that really meant something) is icing on the cake.
Someone's gonna be very happy with this.
P.S.: Unless I miss my guess, that puppy is solid cherry, with some cherry veneer used in the larger panels. Bill Gates can't buy this kind of quality and workmanship any more.
You don't see a lot of French Provincial any more. The fact that this is Fisher (back when that really meant something) is icing on the cake.
Someone's gonna be very happy with this.
P.S.: Unless I miss my guess, that puppy is solid cherry, with some cherry veneer used in the larger panels. Bill Gates can't buy this kind of quality and workmanship any more.
launderess
Well-known member
That Is One Serious Piece of Furniture
Hands up if you remember when French Provincial was *big*! *LOL*
Hands up if you remember when French Provincial was *big*! *LOL*
Really nice Fisher Hi-fi console-not enough "money shots" would like to see the amp and tuner.Good that it has a Garrard TT.May need a new stylus and or cartridge,though.
ovrphil
Well-known member
ditto all above comments and ...
I hope it was someone who appreciated it and didn't (godforbid)rip out the amp and speakers to sell on eBay.
I hope it was someone who appreciated it and didn't (godforbid)rip out the amp and speakers to sell on eBay.
hippiedoll
Well-known member
travis: 1969 fisher console listed on craigslist...
hi travis!!!
do you have any pictures of this fisher console?? does everything work on it? and how much are you trying to sell it for?
i'll be waiting to hear back from you soon.
lovingly,
hippiedoll
)
peace...
hi travis!!!
do you have any pictures of this fisher console?? does everything work on it? and how much are you trying to sell it for?
i'll be waiting to hear back from you soon.
lovingly,
hippiedoll
)peace...
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Here's a Reference....
....On the gorgeous French Provincial unit shown in the photo at the top of this thread.
It's a 1964 Fisher Futura V console (Model F-59), in fruitwood (read: cherry), which originally sold for $845, equal to $6172 today. Here's an ad shot on the www.fisherconsoles.com site:
http://www.fisherconsoles.com/futura V.html
The Futura V was not remotely the top-of-the-line; that honor was reserved for the lordly President IX 9000 model, priced (and pricey!) at $2695, or $19685 in today's puny currency. This one (pictured below) came with an ultrasonic remote, and a cabinet that was quite a lot more authentic French Provincial than the Futura V.
There was a time when it was actually worth it to be rich! If you want to see more, mosey on over to www.fisherconsoles.com .
P.S.: Oddly, Fisher doesn't seem to have offered any of the classier permutations of American period furniture, like Chippendale - they stuck to Modern, French Provincial and Italian Provincial. Anyone living in a Colonial mansion was SOL, evidently. [this post was last edited: 7/5/2013-22:24]
....On the gorgeous French Provincial unit shown in the photo at the top of this thread.
It's a 1964 Fisher Futura V console (Model F-59), in fruitwood (read: cherry), which originally sold for $845, equal to $6172 today. Here's an ad shot on the www.fisherconsoles.com site:
http://www.fisherconsoles.com/futura V.html
The Futura V was not remotely the top-of-the-line; that honor was reserved for the lordly President IX 9000 model, priced (and pricey!) at $2695, or $19685 in today's puny currency. This one (pictured below) came with an ultrasonic remote, and a cabinet that was quite a lot more authentic French Provincial than the Futura V.
There was a time when it was actually worth it to be rich! If you want to see more, mosey on over to www.fisherconsoles.com .
P.S.: Oddly, Fisher doesn't seem to have offered any of the classier permutations of American period furniture, like Chippendale - they stuck to Modern, French Provincial and Italian Provincial. Anyone living in a Colonial mansion was SOL, evidently. [this post was last edited: 7/5/2013-22:24]
launderess
Well-known member
Lots of Italian-American friends one knew growing up had those big ole FP stereo/Hi-Fi systems in the living room.
Besides Frank Sinatra this is what you'd often hear:
Besides Frank Sinatra this is what you'd often hear:
classiccaprice
Well-known member
I've got a some here... I would love to have a Fisher one of these days, but not today! No room!
danemodsandy
Well-known member
No Room at Present, But....
One of those President IX 9000 consoles would be quite an addition to my holdings!
I'd settle for a Magnavox console, if I could find one from the years before they began using plastic for carved areas - a nasty habit Magnavox adopted far too early for my liking.[this post was last edited: 7/5/2013-22:50]
One of those President IX 9000 consoles would be quite an addition to my holdings!
I'd settle for a Magnavox console, if I could find one from the years before they began using plastic for carved areas - a nasty habit Magnavox adopted far too early for my liking.[this post was last edited: 7/5/2013-22:50]
ovrphil
Well-known member
Just posted in Vintage Finds Online
Travis - that's a deal!
Danemodsandy - thanks for the link and info
...fyi Sandy and others: I just posted a slew of links to Craigslist for appliances at Ultramatic's thread - Vintage Finds Online in Shoppers Square, so check it out -
1) Imperial Magnavox(sweet!)
2) Concert Grand Magnavox(yes, big)
here's the links, in case you have trouble for some reason...
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ele/3913795748.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ele/3913822264.html
Travis - that's a deal!
Danemodsandy - thanks for the link and info
...fyi Sandy and others: I just posted a slew of links to Craigslist for appliances at Ultramatic's thread - Vintage Finds Online in Shoppers Square, so check it out -
1) Imperial Magnavox(sweet!)
2) Concert Grand Magnavox(yes, big)
here's the links, in case you have trouble for some reason...
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ele/3913795748.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ele/3913822264.html
launderess
Well-known member
Our Parents Had One Of Those Behmoths
Not sure of the brand and aside from having to dust/polish the thing we children even into our teenage years were not allowed anywhere near. If Father came home and the thing was warm so was someone's hinnie.
Not sure of the brand and aside from having to dust/polish the thing we children even into our teenage years were not allowed anywhere near. If Father came home and the thing was warm so was someone's hinnie.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Launderess - that was a huge expense back then - your dad must have been proud and happy to enjoy that Magnavox Concert Grand. Wonder who got it and if it's still around? 
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Now If You Wanna Get FANCY....
....You can't do any better than the 1948 RCA Berkshire Breakfront, with solid mahogany cabinetry by Baker.
The Berkshire Breakfront incorporated a projection TV, an AM-FM radio and a record player, all for the low, low price of $4300 - which equates to $40,456 today. That's right - Forty. Thousand. Dollars.
In case you can't spot the TV in the picture below, it's behind the drawer fronts, which were dummies. The TV screen rose up from behind the drawer fronts, occupying space behind the glass doors, which were opened for viewing; the TV itself remained down below, with its image projected onto a large screen by means of a lens and mirror system, hence the term "projection" TV. This was a common means of getting a larger screen size in the early days of TV. The radio and record player were in the cabinets on either side of the drawer unit.
These are the dream of many a collector, but it takes big bucks to buy one, big bucks to restore one and big, big bucks to have a house worthy of this impeccably-crafted bit of Truman-era luxe. These things make the costliest Magnavoxes and Fishers look like the kind of furniture mobile home manufacturers used to give away with trailers.
....You can't do any better than the 1948 RCA Berkshire Breakfront, with solid mahogany cabinetry by Baker.
The Berkshire Breakfront incorporated a projection TV, an AM-FM radio and a record player, all for the low, low price of $4300 - which equates to $40,456 today. That's right - Forty. Thousand. Dollars.
In case you can't spot the TV in the picture below, it's behind the drawer fronts, which were dummies. The TV screen rose up from behind the drawer fronts, occupying space behind the glass doors, which were opened for viewing; the TV itself remained down below, with its image projected onto a large screen by means of a lens and mirror system, hence the term "projection" TV. This was a common means of getting a larger screen size in the early days of TV. The radio and record player were in the cabinets on either side of the drawer unit.
These are the dream of many a collector, but it takes big bucks to buy one, big bucks to restore one and big, big bucks to have a house worthy of this impeccably-crafted bit of Truman-era luxe. These things make the costliest Magnavoxes and Fishers look like the kind of furniture mobile home manufacturers used to give away with trailers.
ovrphil
Well-known member
That's beautiful woodworking and a level of high technology I didn't know existed in 1948. Thanks for sharing.
Neat how this conversation about the Fisher stereo turned into others--RCA and Magnavox-you figure in the times these were introduced-was "High End" Hi Fi like the quarter mil Amp,speakers and $150,000TT's sold today.
The RCA unit used the projection method becuase of the size of CRT-picture tubes then.To get the large picture-they had to be projection type sets-RCA pioneered this method-RPTV's sold before flat screen sets became popular were basically the same design as what was in that RCA Berkshire Hi-Fi TV unit.Truely a magnificent peice-becuase of its size and weight few would survive.Bet a lot of those were broken up in the 50's and 60's for disposal.The projection CRT in that machine would be impossible to find today.RCA even made front projection CRT projectors for cinema use.The idea of the "filmless" projector wasn't new.
Hi-Fi use--in our households-my Stepdad and Mom used to let me play their Magnavox Concert Grand system all of the time I visited them.
At Dads house-the story was different---We werent allowed to even TOUCH his system-it was a component system--Dyncao amps(Strange--helpted him put them together)Stephens speakers in homebuilt cabinets,and a Musicmaster single play TT with a Shure cartridge.The set sounded beautiful!Yet us kids weren't allowed to play it..However-there were a few times we played "DJ" when he and StepMom went out-We played out records-and my brother played his 8 track player thru the system.We were caught one time when he felt the top of the Dynaco amp and it was still hot-tubes.My StepMom would question Dad about the use of the Hi-fi She would mention that I used equipment in shop class that could cut my hands or arms off-yet couldn't use the stereo.And same with my brothers.That is still a mystery till this day--I operate Quarter and Half million watt SW transmitters worth a few million dollars each--But can I play the hi-fi?By now we all have Hi-fis of our own.I will never know--but I have my own-its not an RCA Berkshire,or a Maganavox,nor a Clearaudio-but sounds good to me just the same.
Oh yes in one of the Hi-Fi magazines I get they review interconnect cables that cost $25,000 per pair and speaker cables costing $50,000 per pair---Guess if you can afford to buy those--you can use them!
The RCA unit used the projection method becuase of the size of CRT-picture tubes then.To get the large picture-they had to be projection type sets-RCA pioneered this method-RPTV's sold before flat screen sets became popular were basically the same design as what was in that RCA Berkshire Hi-Fi TV unit.Truely a magnificent peice-becuase of its size and weight few would survive.Bet a lot of those were broken up in the 50's and 60's for disposal.The projection CRT in that machine would be impossible to find today.RCA even made front projection CRT projectors for cinema use.The idea of the "filmless" projector wasn't new.
Hi-Fi use--in our households-my Stepdad and Mom used to let me play their Magnavox Concert Grand system all of the time I visited them.
At Dads house-the story was different---We werent allowed to even TOUCH his system-it was a component system--Dyncao amps(Strange--helpted him put them together)Stephens speakers in homebuilt cabinets,and a Musicmaster single play TT with a Shure cartridge.The set sounded beautiful!Yet us kids weren't allowed to play it..However-there were a few times we played "DJ" when he and StepMom went out-We played out records-and my brother played his 8 track player thru the system.We were caught one time when he felt the top of the Dynaco amp and it was still hot-tubes.My StepMom would question Dad about the use of the Hi-fi She would mention that I used equipment in shop class that could cut my hands or arms off-yet couldn't use the stereo.And same with my brothers.That is still a mystery till this day--I operate Quarter and Half million watt SW transmitters worth a few million dollars each--But can I play the hi-fi?By now we all have Hi-fis of our own.I will never know--but I have my own-its not an RCA Berkshire,or a Maganavox,nor a Clearaudio-but sounds good to me just the same.
Oh yes in one of the Hi-Fi magazines I get they review interconnect cables that cost $25,000 per pair and speaker cables costing $50,000 per pair---Guess if you can afford to buy those--you can use them!
classiccaprice
Well-known member
A concert grand is my dream machine! One day!
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Phil:
The Berkshire Breakfront was based on a breakfront design that Baker had already been producing for some years. Some dimensions were changed to accommodate the RCA equipment housed inside. Baker does not make this breakfront any more; collectors value surviving ones highly.
If anyone doesn't know Baker Furniture (a.k.a. Baker, Knapp & Tubbs), they are probably the highest-end furniture maker left in America. Baker pieces are all over the White House, where they give the correct period "look," while being sturdy enough for everyday use, which is not the case with some of the priceless antiques in the Executive Mansion.
1948 wasn't exactly the dark ages - you could already have air-conditioning (central or window units), a dishwasher, an automatic washer and dryer, television, FM radio, tape recording, and a mobile phone in your car - if you were very rich and lucky enough to get one of the few assigned bandwidth slots in your city. All these things were expensive luxuries, not everyday reality, but they were out there. RCA and CBS were already prototyping color television (with RCA's NTSC system, introduced in '54, winning FCC approval as the nation's color standard), and microwave ovens were already in use by the Armed Forces and in restaurants; civilian household versions would debut by 1954. Auto air conditioning was actually available, but only as aftermarket equipment in '48; Packard had not re-introduced its prewar factory air after hostilities ceased. In 1953, factory auto air was brought back, this time for good. By 1954, the only present-day consumer luxuries not available in some form were the personal computer, Internet service, GPS, cell phones, jet airplane travel, stereophonic music equipment and home video recording equipment.
BTW, Rex: The usual fate of a malfunctioning Berkshire Breakfront was not getting broken up - it was getting gutted, so that it could be used as an actual breakfront. You were still talking an oh-my-God expensive piece of handcrafted furniture in mahogany and satinwood, from the most recognized name in fine reproduction furniture. Gutted examples turn up from time to time - it's complete ones that are so scarce. [this post was last edited: 7/6/2013-12:19]
The Berkshire Breakfront was based on a breakfront design that Baker had already been producing for some years. Some dimensions were changed to accommodate the RCA equipment housed inside. Baker does not make this breakfront any more; collectors value surviving ones highly.
If anyone doesn't know Baker Furniture (a.k.a. Baker, Knapp & Tubbs), they are probably the highest-end furniture maker left in America. Baker pieces are all over the White House, where they give the correct period "look," while being sturdy enough for everyday use, which is not the case with some of the priceless antiques in the Executive Mansion.
1948 wasn't exactly the dark ages - you could already have air-conditioning (central or window units), a dishwasher, an automatic washer and dryer, television, FM radio, tape recording, and a mobile phone in your car - if you were very rich and lucky enough to get one of the few assigned bandwidth slots in your city. All these things were expensive luxuries, not everyday reality, but they were out there. RCA and CBS were already prototyping color television (with RCA's NTSC system, introduced in '54, winning FCC approval as the nation's color standard), and microwave ovens were already in use by the Armed Forces and in restaurants; civilian household versions would debut by 1954. Auto air conditioning was actually available, but only as aftermarket equipment in '48; Packard had not re-introduced its prewar factory air after hostilities ceased. In 1953, factory auto air was brought back, this time for good. By 1954, the only present-day consumer luxuries not available in some form were the personal computer, Internet service, GPS, cell phones, jet airplane travel, stereophonic music equipment and home video recording equipment.
BTW, Rex: The usual fate of a malfunctioning Berkshire Breakfront was not getting broken up - it was getting gutted, so that it could be used as an actual breakfront. You were still talking an oh-my-God expensive piece of handcrafted furniture in mahogany and satinwood, from the most recognized name in fine reproduction furniture. Gutted examples turn up from time to time - it's complete ones that are so scarce. [this post was last edited: 7/6/2013-12:19]
danemodsandy
Well-known member
And Just For Grits 'n Giggles....
A 1948 Frigidaire window air conditioner. It wasn't pretty, but it was available, and as you can see, a giant Frigidaire logo hovered outside your house to let everyone know you were living large:
A 1948 Frigidaire window air conditioner. It wasn't pretty, but it was available, and as you can see, a giant Frigidaire logo hovered outside your house to let everyone know you were living large:
launderess
Well-known member
ovrphil
Well-known member
Thanks for that link, Launderess. It's a stunning piece, all around. I wonder if someone in this wide world of expanding billionaires, has one of these and actually enjoys using it now? I would love to see and hear one working. (dream on, I know).
Sandy, those are good links for the Fisher - I came upon those earlier after joining audiokarma.org. My lowly P-294(chassis 125) Fisher isn't listed. Alot of console styles...I'll pass on. But ,for some reason, there are some Fisher and Magnavox French Provincial models that are actually good looking...or I'm getting old and old is looking fresh, again? lol.
Sandy, those are good links for the Fisher - I came upon those earlier after joining audiokarma.org. My lowly P-294(chassis 125) Fisher isn't listed. Alot of console styles...I'll pass on. But ,for some reason, there are some Fisher and Magnavox French Provincial models that are actually good looking...or I'm getting old and old is looking fresh, again? lol.
launderess
Well-known member
Fully Loaded
Those behemoths weighed in at 850lbs!
Given today's often smaller homes one has to wonder how many have room for such things?
http://www.videokarma.org/archive/index.php/t-11975.html
Those behemoths weighed in at 850lbs!
Given today's often smaller homes one has to wonder how many have room for such things?
http://www.videokarma.org/archive/index.php/t-11975.html
launderess
Well-known member
@ovrphil
Quite honestly cannot remember if it was a Magnavox or whatever. Wasn't allowed to get that close and really had no interest. Each of us children soon had portable record players then each went out and got our own "systems" from either saved up pocket money and or from various odd jobs, so that was that.
Know the thing was still there when one left for college, but a few years after I graduated house was sold so don't know where that huge piece of furniture ended up.
Quite honestly cannot remember if it was a Magnavox or whatever. Wasn't allowed to get that close and really had no interest. Each of us children soon had portable record players then each went out and got our own "systems" from either saved up pocket money and or from various odd jobs, so that was that.
Know the thing was still there when one left for college, but a few years after I graduated house was sold so don't know where that huge piece of furniture ended up.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
That Behemoth.....
....Was, as has been pointed out, extremely heavy, but there was a secret, one I know because my dad worked for RCA.
The Berkshire Breakfront broke down for shipping; there was a bulletin on how to assemble it in situ. I never saw the procedure take place (by the time I came along, all Berkshire Breakfronts were several years old), but I should think at least two moving men and a service tech would have been needed.
Yessir, in those days, you got a little service for your money!
Speaking of service, in the early '50s, when the Berkshire series was no longer made, RCA was still serving the customers who had purchased the units with a new attachment - a 45-rpm changer. The 45 was RCA's answer to CBS's 33-1/3 rpm LP record. The changer for the Berkshire Breakfront was styled to resemble a mahogany tea caddy, and its case was made (by whom I do not know) to the same standards as the rest of the unit. A photo is below. This unit was intended to sit on one of the shelves behind the glass doors of the bookcase.
What company today would go back and produce an attachment for something it made four or five years ago - no matter how expensive the original item was?
None, that's who. [this post was last edited: 7/7/2013-06:03]
....Was, as has been pointed out, extremely heavy, but there was a secret, one I know because my dad worked for RCA.
The Berkshire Breakfront broke down for shipping; there was a bulletin on how to assemble it in situ. I never saw the procedure take place (by the time I came along, all Berkshire Breakfronts were several years old), but I should think at least two moving men and a service tech would have been needed.
Yessir, in those days, you got a little service for your money!
Speaking of service, in the early '50s, when the Berkshire series was no longer made, RCA was still serving the customers who had purchased the units with a new attachment - a 45-rpm changer. The 45 was RCA's answer to CBS's 33-1/3 rpm LP record. The changer for the Berkshire Breakfront was styled to resemble a mahogany tea caddy, and its case was made (by whom I do not know) to the same standards as the rest of the unit. A photo is below. This unit was intended to sit on one of the shelves behind the glass doors of the bookcase.
What company today would go back and produce an attachment for something it made four or five years ago - no matter how expensive the original item was?
None, that's who. [this post was last edited: 7/7/2013-06:03]
twintubdexter
Well-known member
Will (classiccaprice)...
Get yourself a good Craigslist search engine and just keep looking for that elusive Concert Grand. The trick is finding one in good shape that the owner doesn't want an arm and a leg for. I looked for about 3 years and stumbled on one in Oregon for $40.00 even after I told the lady it was worth more, especially since it looked like it just came out of the box. It cost me $300 to ship but was worth it. You're still a young kid and have plenty of time to hunt.
2 Concert Grands, the more common 40 vacuum tube model like I have and the last solid state model from the 1970's (courtesy of my friend Michael)
Get yourself a good Craigslist search engine and just keep looking for that elusive Concert Grand. The trick is finding one in good shape that the owner doesn't want an arm and a leg for. I looked for about 3 years and stumbled on one in Oregon for $40.00 even after I told the lady it was worth more, especially since it looked like it just came out of the box. It cost me $300 to ship but was worth it. You're still a young kid and have plenty of time to hunt.
2 Concert Grands, the more common 40 vacuum tube model like I have and the last solid state model from the 1970's (courtesy of my friend Michael)
ovrphil
Well-known member
Will / Joe (Twintubdexter): right, and they're out there, but timing is so critical. These get snatched up quickly.
You really caught a great one, Joe - only $40? (sigh)
I found a Magnavox Concert Grand, but I'd be surprised if it was still available. Link is here:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/3835013257.html
I'm with Will, but less time on my side.
You really caught a great one, Joe - only $40? (sigh)
I found a Magnavox Concert Grand, but I'd be surprised if it was still available. Link is here:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/3835013257.html
I'm with Will, but less time on my side.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Will / Joe (Twintubdexter): right, and they're out there, but timing is so critical. These get snatched up quickly.
You really caught a great one, Joe - only $40? (sigh)
I found a Magnavox Concert Grand, but I'd be surprised if it was still available. Link is here:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/3835013257.html
I'm with Will, but less time on my side.
You really caught a great one, Joe - only $40? (sigh)
I found a Magnavox Concert Grand, but I'd be surprised if it was still available. Link is here:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/3835013257.html
I'm with Will, but less time on my side.
classiccaprice
Well-known member
One of these days...
That said, I have a really nice micromatic. I'll have to post some pictures soon.
That said, I have a really nice micromatic. I'll have to post some pictures soon.
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