Concert Grand

[firedome]

Maganvox Windsor...

was not familar with those as I never paid much attention to most mono consoles... truly impressive, it had Stephens speakers and cost around $800! Stepehns had a reputation on par with Altec &c. in their time. However little was known about tuned port or acoustic suspension enclosure design back then, much less Theil parameters or other modern speaker physics principles, so audio performance was somewhat lacking, but it increased rapidly in the 1950s as these things became adapted.

One mono unit of the 1940s that I AM familiar with is the 1946 RCA Berkshire, probably the ultimate set ever made. Priced at around $3000 to 4000, depending on style. The beautiful Breakfront model Berkshire cabinets were made by Baker, who also made custom reproduction furniture for the White House!! (See pic: the electronics were totally concealed in the lower cabinet, opening the left door revealed the speaker, the right door the radio receiver). Electronics comprised 3 massive chrome-plated units: separate amplifier (4 x 6L6GC outputs for 50 watts) and power supply chassis, and radio receiver (with very early FM!) chassis. The speaker was the spectacular 15" Harry Olsen designed LC-1. Some Berkshire models included an early projection TV as well! Only about 250 were made and of course are super sought after by radio collectors today, although almost never for sale.

 

[tolivac]

Olsen/RCA LC-1 speaker----we are using these TODAY at the VOA site for monitoring program material.In RCA cabinets sold to radio stations for monitor use.Also the Wash DC old studios used these speakers.They were driven by Crown amps.D300-so far no problems.Magnavox Windsor-RCA Berhshire-the ultimate console Hi-Fi systems in those days.They were built well-and made to last-the tubes were run very conservative-Had a Masco PA amp that used 4 6L6 for 100W out.My fathers system had Stephen 15" speakers in homemade cabinets-helpted him build them when I was a kid-mostly "hold this or get that"They were 2 way coax speakers.Sounded good when driven by a Dynaco St70 amp and PAS preamp.Yes,RCA built FM transmitters to broadcast to these and other radios.Used frequency multiplication in the power stages.4-125 tubes-then 5762 in the finals.5Kw.The exciter had an output like at 45-50Mhz depending on final frequency.All tubed-Phasitron modulator and a mechanical AFC system.If on of the servo 6L6 tubes shorted-would cause the tune motor to drift up or down-if up your transmitter was on the Aircraft bands!!Really funky transmitters to work on.But they worked.Competitor to the lower frequency Armstrong bands.If that person that has the Windsor unit-hope he realizes he will need a phono preamp if he wants to use a mag cartridge in the TT.Oh yes-those RCA transmitters finals were grounded grid-and they announced that fact with a fancy "GG" symbol-logo in chrome on the front panel!Later RCA abandoned the GG system and other transmitter makers used it-but RCA still used the "GG" circuit in their lo and hi band TV transmitters.Fixed a few of these!

 

[ovrphil]

Just mentioning VOA reminds me of how great it was, at one time, to listen to shortwave.

 

[tolivac]

The VOA plant I work at is the LAST one in the US-the SW broadcasts are still going strong.Many folks don't realize people overseas-the audience this site broadcasts to-don't have the "conveniences" of smartphones,internet and such.But they do have an AM-FM-SW radio.SW broadcasting knows no bounderies-our audience this plant goes to is Africa,South America,and Cuba.I can't give the frequencies here-but you can look them up in the World Radio TV Handbook-available at bookstores,Amazon,or your local library.These are published yearly.They contain listings of SW frequencies that are used by the US adn other countries.Its still very popular.This site is using transmitters that are 65,50,and 30 yrs old.Keeping them going is my job!!!

 

[ovrphil]

Rex - Myself...I learned about your job earlier, since hanging out here for three years. Does your broadcast plant have a website online showing some of the old equipment and tubes? I still sw-listen, but not actively. World Radio and TV Handbook was my favorite - sorry they're online only now. I still have a couple older, last published issues - anyways, not to get too off topic started here, which are stereo consoles..thanks for the reminder that they went online along with Popular Communications and other sister pubs. I'll need a newer receiver to get all the other things, besides standard broadcasts like VOA, to pick up ship, police, etc -since so many have moved to other frequencies years ago.

Phil

 

[firedome]

Had no idea

that VOA still existed... very interesting.

So back to consoles - well, yesterday we went to check out the Maggie Astro Sonic that I mentioned above, and found out that folks have absolutely no concept of periods of design... unfortunately it was not Early American as was told to me, but Italian Provincial, not something the wife would permit in the house. Pity, because it was in decent shape, worked except for a slipping turntable drive wheel, and essentially free. It'd have to go in the LR, since we don't have the room to store it, so a No-Go proposition. I advised them to list it as Free on CL and hopefully it will be saved by somebody, but SS units still seem to be a hard sell, unless they are of MCM design.

 

[ovrphil]

Too bad

Many of the Italian Provincials got really e-e-uuuu-yoo-gli. But here's one that I wouldn't say "NO" to : from the Stromberg-Carlson brochure, 1962:

 

[firedome]

that IS a pretty one...

am not opposed to IP per se, at least the more restrained ones similar to the one above. Some got rather over the top when plastic moldings became widely used as a cost cutting measure. There's tons of IP decor around here, as the big shoe factories attracted a huge influx of leather workers from Italy in the early 1900s. Still lots of stucco and vino trellises in the North side of Endicott here. When they'd get off the boat at Ellis Island the 1st thing they'd say upon landing was "Which way E-J?" (the gigantic Endicott-Johnson shoe factory, biggest in the world).

Anyhow, nowadays our den, dining room, and BR decor is transitioning from MCM to Early American of the 1950s variety, what I call Fauxlonial: maple hardwoods, copper, brick, eagles, weathervanes, and such... colonial kitschy and lots of fun - that stuff was everywhere when I was growing up in the '50/60s and still warms the cockles of my heart. For me it's very nostalgic and nice stuff ala Ethan Allan can still be picked up reasonably. So I'm looking for just the right Maple finish EA style console in mint condition. It'll show up eventually!

 

[firedome]

gotta comment on your avatar Phil!

Secret Agent with Ian McGoohan (RIP) was BY FAR my most favorite show of the 60s!! I remember recording the theme off of TV on a little battery powered tape recorder, and later on bought the Johhny Rivers 45! I can still hum that harpsichord theme that always played in the background in SA. My 2ND favorite show was The Prisoner. Loved his Mini and Lotus Super 7 and Mini Moke in those shows!

Back to consoles, if anyone sees a nice Early American style console in the Northeast please post it here in Shoppers Square!

 

[ovrphil]

Patrick McGoohan

I was a "The Prisoner" fan. That's the Lotus of course - I still like the show for the message "I am not a number" in a world where...I think we're more of a number than when that show was in its first series. Secret Agent..yes, me too.

Thanks Roger.

 

[tolivac]

VOA equipment website-Go to a website called "Jim Hawkins Radio World" they have an excellent "tour" of one our plants-sadly its the one that is closed and largely abandoned.Mold growing in the building-HVAC and lighting turned off-only power used is to light the towers.Transmitters dissassembled for parts to keep the ones at the "B" plant going.Also you can find some plant tours on YouTube-Just type in "VOA Greenville" transmitter plant.The GE and Continental transmitters were the same at both sites-the newer transmitters were different at each site.This was done for evaluation at that time with the idea of purchasing new transmitters to wee which ones worked best.A site had New Continental 420B and Marconi transmitters-the Maroni was outfitted with a Continental Electronics SS modulator.Now that is at our site in storage as spare for the overseas plants.B plant has AEG Telefunken-on air now--and Brown Boveri transmitters.The BBC one has an early Soild State PSM modulator.This one is used regularly,too.These 4 transmitters are capable of 500Kw power-but used at 250Kw to reduce electric power cost.
Concert Grand Hi-Fi consoles-My Mom had one and loved listening to my records on it!!Would like to have one--but they are expensive and difficult to ship.Again--I HATE EBay-so look locally.While growing up-had two Hi-fis to listen to-My Moms Magnavox Concert Grand or Dads Component system with Dynaco St 70 and PAS preamp.Stephens Coax speakers in homebuilt cabinets to plans that came with the raw Stephen speakers.And his TT was a Music Master with a Shure cartridge.Had to listen when Dad wasn't home-as teenagers we couldn't use his when he was there.So listend when he wasn't home.Never got in trouble.Was careful.My Mom let me listen whenever I wanted while visiting her.Hopefully someday will stumble on a CG.Often its when YOU ARE not looking for something is when you stumble on it!Hopefully at a yard sale???

 

[firedome]

Prisoner...

Patrick of course, that's what happens when you get old, along with the aches, pains, and general deterioration of body as well as brain. Some days I'm lucky to remember my own name. I loved his role in 3 lives of Thomasina as well.

Rex - you're right, one will pop up when you least expect it. Though for a CG I'd look in a couple hundred mile radius and be willing to drive a bit for one, most likely to find in N Virginia or large city like Atlanta. IIWY I'd certainly take a look at a console from one of the well respected component manufacturers as well. Or do what I'll probably do, and look for the exact cabinet style I want with defective electronics and replace them a component tube receiver, in my case a Fisher 400, and a quality turntable that won't wreck LPs.

 

[ovrphil]

VOA and links

Thanks, Rex! Now I need a pair of 3D glasses. What a great idea! Jim Hawkins Radio World is excellent, too. Someday, I'm sure all these installations are going to be replaced with windfarms or who knows what else?

Phil

 

[tolivac]

Maybe that could be the fate of VOA "A" site.The state wanted it as a possible solar power farm.The site is fed with a 115Kw 3 Ph line from Dominion power.The new "owner" would have to pay for the demolition of the towers there-not sure if the State of NC wants to do that-we will see.I hope VOA "B" plant where I am at isn't replaced anytime soon! want to work many more years!Like the work despite the old equipment.

 

[norgeway]

The problem with most Magnavoxes

Is they are mostly Italian or French Provencial or Early American...All of which we despise, it MUST be Danish Modern or preferably mid century modern...best of all blonde!!  My dream is to find a 58 or 59 TOL Westinghouse console with the sliding panel covering the big round radio dial and tuning eye, as of now, im using a 65 General Electric that really is a good sounding unit,despite GEs reputation of not being that great, my favorite is a consolette Phonola in my bedroom that my Parents best friends bought new in 1962 from Allied Radio, I grew up listening to records on it, their daughter told me she played the first record ever played on it....Telstar by the Ventures!

 

[tolivac]

The Magnavox CG console my Mom had was a Danish Modern.At this point would settle for any of them.In those days they were made with REAL wood-not with the horrible plastic trim that buzzed during the bass passages!At how scarece they are getting you may have to take what comes along.Its the "guts" that I would be most interested in.No,I won't gut it-but the components of all the CG ones were largely the same.-Just the cabinets styles were different.

 

[firedome]

in my experience...

most of the blonde (limed oak) consoles tended to be mono, or to a much lesser extent, very early stereo, the latter would probably be lacking multiplex FM. They were relatively rare even then.

When we at the magazine put out our 2 volume "Vintage Hi-Fi Spotters Guide", besides components, in the 2nd volume we also included a few early '50s mono consoles and high end floor radios. A planned Vol 3 would have included later mono and stereo tube consoles. My publisher-friends's untimely death at age 59 put an end to that. Now that everything is online, publishing such an esoteric subject in paper format nowadays would be a losing proposition, albeit a fun project. I've thought about it but we didn't make much on the first 2 even in the "good old days" of special interest publishing. A planned color coffee table book on McIntosh Labs was also stillborn due to the high cost of quality color publication. Nowadays it would be outsourced to China.

 

[ovrphil]

Roger - ...sorry to hear these were the days that brought an end to projects looked to be completed. I found some help with Google book/magazine searches,which often tie into some of those old audio pubs.

I'm sure what you said about blonde consoles is true, with exceptions here and there.

I don't own a blonde finish Motorola, but they did make a couple models which a guy shows off on youtube(he's an unusual cadence to his voice, fair warning):





Those are not mono units, as an example of exceptions, and I've never seen too many Westinghouses, let alone what Hans is looking for.

 

[firedome]

Boy those Motorolas are beauties...

be proud to have one of those in our LR! I've always been of the opinion that the electronics in Motorola consoles were superior in design & execution in comparison to some of the other mass brands, at least that was true of the several Motorolas I've owned.

Oddly some of the less impressive consoles I've seen were from the really big boys, GE & RCA, whose size as companies dwarfed all the other makers of consoles, by far. They had a few decent models, and even some truly excellent components early on (1955-60), but for the most part they went on to use their vast engineering talents elsewhere, evidently.

 

[ovrphil]

RESTORED Magnavox Imperial Console Stereo w/Turntable, Tube

RESTORED Magnavox Imperial Console Stereo w/Turntable, Tube Amplifier - $600 (Carrollton)

...to get back to almost a Concert Grand, but not the coveted Danish modern style:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/5390695693.html

 

[ovrphil]

'Nother one: 1959 Magnavox Imperial playing Skinnie Minn

Craigslist ad : https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/5431380849.html?lang=tl

Other link shows unit playing old 50's Bill Halley song.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=05lvms_HbP8

 

[firedome]

I'm still lookin' for one...

for you Phil to replace the PO trashed faceplate. One will turn up at some point nearby.

 

[ovrphil]

Thanks

...very much...I didn't really think you forgot, and I'm aware there's alot going on around in your life. So...whenever, thank you.

 

[maytog77]

Well some of you may know.

That as far as my living room goes, I have a TOL 1973 Zenith Allegro console. I love th Allegro speaker system, and I also have two correct, Zenith Allegro remote speakers on the other side of my room for the "Two Plus Two Matrix" sound (AKA: Zeniths brand name for 4channel stereo). I had read somewhere that it was almost $500.00 when it was new. Let me tell you the sound quaility is worth every penny of that, and is still proving it almost 40 years later.

 

[norgeway]

I remember those

When they were new, a great sounding unit.

 

[firedome]

Fabulous...

70s decor there!!

 

[ovrphil]

Jason -

Hi, do you happen to have the Allegro brochure that included your model? I'd like to find a complete brochure - will try audiokarma.org of course, but just wondered if you happened to have something easy to upload here?

Even though I'm typically contemporary and mcm in style/tastes, your unit looks good and the living room is really a time warp. Nice job!

Phil

 

[maytog77]

OVRPHIL......

I have the complete sales brochure....I will upload it...I bought it on ebay, it is the ONLY piece of sales material, or anything with my model I have found.

 

[maytog77]

Part 2....

Of the 1973 Zenith booklet

 

[norgeway]

RE Stromberg Carlson

My Parents bought a Stromberg Carlson Hi Fi in 1952,it had 2 speakers as I remember, a 12 facing the floor and a 8 or 10 facing forward, if I remember it had 2 6V6 outputs , it died when I was a kid, but for its day, I think it sounded fantastic, I remember Daddy playing Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman LPs on it, he liked it LOUD and I remember the bass vibrating the windows in the living room..LOL, I would love to find one like it, Mother said people couldn't believe the "Outrageous" price they paid for it....200.00 ...in 1952 dollars!...And they earned 25.00 a week each.....imagine living on 50.00 a week!! Rent was 60.00 a month, minus 10.00 in the winter for firing the coal boiler!!!!Mother saved 2 years to buy a vacuum cleaner, also bought in 52, a GE swivel top...99.95!