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Stromberg-Carlson

was a Rochester NY outfit, became a big player in the telephone business, and much later on post-war made some very nice Hi-Fi component amps, tuners, receivers, speakers, even a turntable, and high-end consoles that had their discrete components mounted in them, like Fisher and Pilot. I have a late '50s brochure around here somewhere showing their Hi-Fi line, and have had a few of the products, all were excellent. Prior to the mid '50s besides telephone equipment they were also well known for floor and table radios as well, and TVs in the 50s. In the early 60s they were absorbed by General Dynamics, and more or less abandoned their consumer product lines at some point.
 
I do see, occasionally, some of those Stromberg-Carlson radios/consoles that look very nice. Your information, Roger, just brings a little more appreciation to a name I'm not too familiar with.
 
RE Stromberg Carlson

In 1952 My Parents went to O P Lutz furniture Co in Lenoir NC and bought a Stromberg Carlson Hi Fi, it was still around when I was a kid, it had a 10 inch speaker facing forward, and a 12 inch facing the floor, it really had some thumping bass , I really would like to find another one,as I remember Mother said it cost over 200.00 which was a fortune back then,They saved for a year to buy it.
 
Anyone got pictures and stats on SB Hi-Fi systems-The products SB made I have seen have been the school PA's,PA amps ,and phones.Also another school sound system maker was DuKane.Have the manual for a DuKane system that was at the DuPont factory out here.I am sure its long been replaced.The DuKane unit had two 50W amps with PP 5881 tubes.And it was 70v Line.At a swap shop bought a couple plastic tubfulls of books-they came from a former DuPont Engineer-made for interesting and useful reading.
 
Found the S-C brochure

showing their TOL Hi-Fi component line for 1959. Problem is I'm without scanner at the moment. Meanwhile here's a good link to some S-C stuff:

http://www.audiophool.com/MadeInRoch.html

They had a pretty comprehensive line-up, my brochure doesn't show the consoles or radios, but the better consoles had the S-C Hi-Fi components in them, such as the ASR-333 and matching tuner, I've had one of them, along with some of S-C's Custom 400 components. The weird ASP-422 amp uses the rare and oddball 6DY7 tube that has both push-pull stages in one tube! I've been wanting one of these for some time but haven't run across one yet.
 
Excellent info on the SC Hi-Fi gear-The 6DY7 tube is a real oddity.Would have been neat if it caught on.Makes me think of an 815 Tube-two power tetrodes in one envelope.Plate connectors on the top of the tube.I have seen 815's in older-early FM transmitters and TV transmitters.Typically used as frequency multiplier stages.Ampex used 815 tubes as bias-erase oscillators in Ampex 300 Rec/Pb amps.Put the machine into record mode and hold a neon lamp near the 815-it will light if the stage is oscillating.
I have one of those Kodak amps in a Kodak "Pagent" 16MM projector.Got it for free from the dump.The machine does run.Missing the speaker.It would be the one with the 35L6 tubes in the output.Kodak projectors were common along with Bell&Howell ones for classroom proectors used in schools.A few times I was assigned to be the impromptu projectionist for running a film.The boys in that class got their turns!Teachers did not like being projectionists-so they had one of the students do it.Occasionally a film got broke.
 
Harmon Kardon Tube Receiver TA224 - $225 (Bothell)

ad: " armon Kardon Tube Receiver TA224 - I believe this was the first stereo receiver built for the consumer market and it is in near mint condition! - Nice NOS 6v6 output tubes - All input and driver tubes are vintage. Great Sound!!!! Also I have a nice HK Walnut Case which is rare and included with receiver . firm on price. Will sell on ebay otherwise. Auditions welcome - tuner. glass, and chassis and lettering are near mint. all lights working. - No disappointments - everything is functioning correctly - this has a nice phono stage - Cool Mid Century Looks - I believe this was built around 1960 to 1962 "


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Antique Magnavox Concert Grand Stereo Console

ad: " Magnavox Concert Grand Stereo Console circa 1959 - Make an offer!
*This is a classic, some call it the Holy Grail of collectable antique radios, found in my barn
*Cabinet needs refinishing but no major damage
* Independent left and right tube stereo amplifiers each with 15" woofers and mid / tweeter horns
* Tuner dial mechanism works (it moves when the dial is turned), face is complete and undamaged
*Turn table appears complete
*Electrical chassis need total rewiring, some tubes are still with the chassis
*Partial schematic pinned to the back of the cabinet "


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Difficult to find, but that CG looks "crusty"

That's the first CG in that vintage/style that  I've seen that did not have remote control...but I'm no expert. The multiplex adaptor is where the complex RF remote unit would normally be. Notice the knob holes for the remote on/off controls in the changer compartment are covered. I suppose this is a later model since the"green eye" tuning indicator is now [COLOR=#008000; font-size: 12pt]an Astrosonic-style meter. Also unusual to see the "fish hook" record changer. No "record reject" button on the CG plaque either, pity.[/COLOR]

 

This Concert Grand has been on the local Craigslist for one month, first advertised with no price and now showing up at $1,500. You'd need to want one very badly.

[this post was last edited: 2/16/2015-13:14]


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MCM shows

This was the week of the Mid-Century Modern shows in Palm Springs. There are many venues (for a price) to explore. No time or money to do a visit and pick up that CG at the same time. Instead, we're just hunkering down as a winter of much less intensity buckles the tree limbs with ice and cold continues. Twintubdexter, are you out there - just pick this up for me and I'll be out in my dreams to pick it up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ice man cometh
 
Whats with the abundance of CG Hi-Fis on the West Coast? But NONE in my area?Just remember my Moms-hers had the Multiplex unit just like on the back of the one shown. Hers didn't have any remote controls.Noticed in the picture of one of those units the rear speaker cab access panel was removed.Needed for proper operation.Other folks say around here Magnavoxes were indeed rare.-there were no dealers in Greeville.Closest was Raleigh.
 
On with the hunt!

My "expert" friend in Tennessee with his huge collection of Magnavox stereos says that most of them were made in Greeneville...Greeneville Tennessee that is. The plant, long shuttered, is still there where his Aunt was employed for many years. For some reason, as far as Craigslist, I have seen more well-cared for Magnavox consoles in Northern Oregon and Washington than anywhere else. My CG popped up in Eugene Oregon, was $85 reduced to $40. A very nice lady was selling the contents of her late parent's home. I actually gave her $100 since she worked with a shipper for me, then I sent her a small gift afterwards. The point here is that you need to keep looking and eventually you'll discover one at a reasonable price and perhaps even in your own area. It's not like you're trying to find another Hope Diamond.

 

By the way, my TN friend says that he prefers the sound of his Imperials to his Concert Grands. I guess it's a matter of taste and how well your hearing is.

 

Two of my friends CG's...can you guess which one is real wood and which one is the faux pas?

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