Concert Grand

[twintubdexter]

You'd need to really, really want one badly to pay this price. For $2,200 I'd want one rebuilt and with the back panel on it. In Texas.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnavox-co...216?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee1433ed8

 

[cuffs054]

Twin, I have to admit I would like a really nice console to go in the main hall of the new (1886)home I'm redoing. But you are correct about the condition. I'm going to set aside some bucks in case one comes along. It would have to be completely rebuilt, the chance of finding anyone out here who would know how to fix it.

 

[whirlcool]

If you read between the lines the guy is telling us that the set probably needs recapping, may not work when plugged in. Plus this statement "Quite a statement piece for them and priced accordingly." means he's in it for the bucks. I predict it won't sell until he lowers the price, but about $1600.00.

 

[twintubdexter]

And a Fisher in my neighborhood

Sort of nice but way overpriced. At least all the knobs are there. I do like the Garrard Type A turntable. $475...$125/$150 would be reasonable.

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/ele/5020145497.html

 

[tolivac]

That Magnavox CG -way out of my price range-and---it needs reworking.I could do that--but for the price they are asking-the work should already be done,unit has the rear cover and set to go.Good they gave the crossover frequency--this is the same for Altec VOTTS-COOL!!!!

 

[firedome]

what a piece of puffery...

A Maggie CG is a nice unit but is not even CLOSE to being the best console ever: a Fisher President and Executive, and several HHScott, Pilot, Stromberg Carlson and Ampex consoles are better by FAR...at least if we are talking best sounding, and that doesn't include some custom McIntosh and Marantz and other hi-end component units that were put together and sold by top HiFi shops, often in Barzilay cabinets with Altec or Stephens speakers, that are still out there. $4-600 should buy a good CG... imo.

 

[firedome]

what a piece of puffery...

A Maggie CG is a nice unit but is not even CLOSE to being the best console ever: a Fisher President and Executive, and several HHScott, Pilot, Stromberg Carlson and Ampex consoles are better by FAR...at least if we are talking best sounding, and that doesn't include some custom McIntosh and Marantz and other hi-end component units that were put together and sold by top HiFi shops, often in Barzilay cabinets with Altec or Stephens speakers, that are still out there. $4-600 should buy a good CG... imo.

 

[firedome]

btw...

sorry for the double post.

btw: the Fisher Ambassador shown was one of their BOL consoles but would hold it's own with a CG.

 

[twintubdexter]

There is ALWAYS something that is going to sound "better" including anything made by Fisher, Pilot, Ampex and the rest. People's preferences as well as their hearing itself differs from one individual to another. That Concert Grand is way overpriced to someone of modest means like myself but they remain fine instruments and are becoming more difficult to find every year. They are appreciated for what they are.

 

When I first got interested in console stereos a few years back it was not uncommon to see them advertised as free "curb pickups." Most thrift stores would not take any of them. I have no idea if sellers get what they're asking for today but I don't see many "freebees" unless it's something that's been sitting out in the back yard for years.

 

This Magnavox in my dining room was free. I was told to get there before the garbage truck arrived. The nice lady (she was losing her home to foreclosure) told me it belonged to her grandmother and she was grateful I rescued it. It's no TOL but I like it. I use it much more often than the Concert Grand,  probably because it doesn't have 40 vacuum tubes.

 

[cuffs054]

Twin, I've poked around on Google looking for someone who rebuilds console electronics but not too much luck. I agree with you that the demand may have dried up. I will keep looking.

 

[firedome]

there's still some reasonable stuff out there...

we've picked up 2 in the last few months, 1 free Sears Silvertone all tube console, 1 all tube Magnificent Maganvox at the Goodwill for $40. 2 weeks ago there was a similar Maggie near Ithaca about an hour away for "asking $50" that looked nice in pictures. Also being of modest means, I've never paid more than $250 for any console, including several Fishers, including the aforementioned President and Executive, 2 Pilots, &c. Be hard to find one of those for that now, no thanks to eBay, unless one got lucky, but that Ambassador above could probably be had for well less than the asking... however it's not that overpriced, it has a nice and desirable push-pull stereo 7591 tube amp that alone would bring $250+ and Garrard Type As in nice shape bring $100-150 these days.

 

[tolivac]

Hi-Fis-yes,don't forget Scotts,Fishers,Pilot,Ampex and some others.You usually don't see hi end ones like that set out for the trash.Folks will try to sell those.In my area(Greenville) high end consoles of any brand are surprizingly rare.There wasn't any higher end Hi-Fi dealers here-and folks weren't that interested.Glad that nice Magnavox Hi fi console was rescued from the trash.At what RL trash truck can do to pianos,jet skis,discarded fuel,water tanks,and so on we can only imagine the fate that was waiting that hi fi.

 

[ovrphil]

Pilot

Ugh! " At what RL trash truck can do to pianos,jet skis,discarded fuel,water tanks,and so on we can only imagine the fate that was waiting that hi fi. " I feel less for the plastic molded Mediterranean casket-looking consoles, though.

But, you guys mentioned Pilot. I rarely see these in Craigslist and I'm not familiar with the name. Maybe these were sold in the high-end audio stores, but I wasn't shopping for stereo equipment until the mid-80's and later…by then, Pilot was probably history?

I am still thinking of one that showed up a few miles from me, at just $75 and I had to pass due to a bad cold that week. Just wondering - has anyone owned or heard a Pilot stereo and how would you describe the sound quality or what would it be comparable to? Since these are so seldom seen, fewer consumers probably purchased these and what would be the incentive to buy these over , say, a Fisher, Scotts, Magnavox, and other similar quality brands?

I hate to see these consoles dis-membered, unless the cabinets are so far gone. Here's a Pilot tubed amp that was removed, I presume, and has been on CL a while (second photo below):

1958 PILOT SA-260 EL34 STEREO TUBE POWER AMP 60W HIGH FIDELITY - $1095 (GREENSBORO)

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ele/5006360522.html

 

[firedome]

Pilot tended to sell mostly in the NE and maybe west coast

Phil: it was started as a radio company in the '20s and was one of the oldest mfr's, before almost all of the better known names, almost as old as RCA. Very good quality, on par with Fisher/Scott/Sherwood etc. I've owned 2 Pilot consoles and 3 or 4 of the SA-232 and integrated amps, as well as several very rare PiloTone mono preamps and a SP-215 preamp. The SA-260 EL-34 amp is one of their most sought after units, never had one but wish I did. That $1100 price is not out of line in today's market. I'd bust my butt to get to buy any Pilot tube stuff... if you see one snag it!

 

[firedome]

btw:

Pilot did survive the Transistor Transition, at least into the mid-70s, but like almost all US electronics got bought out, I think by Emerson or some such, and disappeared soon after, RIP to a once good product and name.

 

[ovrphil]

Pilot history

Thank you, Roger - it's good I didn't find a tubed version, but the solid state one looked decent. I had NO idea this company was founded in the early 1900's. It's understandable, now that you put its marketing territory in perspective, why I didn't recognize the brand. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the tubed console. Surprises happen, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[ovrphil]

Reply #3 - more in the area

There's a few other Fishers, to add to Reply #3, and reasonable…

1)Vintage Fisher Console Stereo - $100 (Moreno Valley) - http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ele/5018108863.html

Ad: " Old Fisher "Metropolitan" M-399 console stereo in great condition.Has phono,stereo,am/fm,aux/tape inputs.BSR Turntable(made in U.K.)needs cleaning/service.In elegant mahogany finish.Little bit dusty.Comes with original fisher sales brochure and manual.$100....Email with contact # for fastest reply.Thanks.."

2)Console Vtg Fisher AM/FM radio cabinet w/turntable & speakers - $160 o.b.o. (long beach)- http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/5016354400.html

 

[norgeway]

In my book...

The high end Motorola 3 channel is about the best sounding unit ever thought up...With a Drexel cabinet no less!

 

[firedome]

Had one of those 3 channel Moto consoles once...

and it was decent, 6 x 6V6GTs for 3 discrete channels @ 8-10 watts/ch, smallish open frame output transformers, 15" bass speaker for the center channel (low frequencies are omni-directional), and 2-way mid-high speakers on each side. The problem with a lot of bass output in a console is feedback, especially to the turntable cartridge, and microphonics in pre-amp tubes, so mfr's of consoles tended to roll off bass response in consoles sharply in the below 70 Hz range.

Stromberg cleverly approached this problem with actual bookshelf-sized cabinet speakers made with wax-impregnated very heavy-duty corrugated cardboard (!) to combat cabinet resonance, and floated them on thick fiberglass insulation pads, inside the speaker compartments on each side of the console, so there was no actual direct connection to the console cabinet. Innovative, and it worked quite well.

 

[firedome]

Fisher 2) console above...

is one of their nicer units from the transition era, with a Dual 1009 or 1019 (?), it's hard to see, mid 60s turntable, and it could still be tube as the amp panel resembles the X-100-C, which was the last component tube integrated amp, but also is similar in looks to the earliest transistor receivers ala T-220 etc. Very nice unit regardless, but particularly worthy if a 7591 tube amp, which most of the last ones were.

 

[firedome]

addendum...

some of the last Fisher tube amps also had 7868 tubes, no longer made last time I looked, and pricey for NOS. New 7591s are made in Russia now. Forget which the X-100-C used.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Pilot receiver that I rescued from the Electrical-electronics dumpster at the dump site where I take my trash-a Pilot 620.Has the 6BM8 tubes in the output stage-the 9 pin tubes that have the triode driver and beam power output in one tube.Have also seen these tubes in Ampex 600 tubed Rec/Pb amps-one was the erase bias oscillator-the other the audio output.Haven't tried the Pilot yet.It appears to be a nice unit-other than the faded radio dial.
Fender used 7591 tubews in some of their guitar amps.Lowrey used those tubes in some of their older organs.Fisher,Pioneer-and many others used these tubes in amps and receivers.Compact replacement for a 6L6.
Yes,can go along with you there-would LOVE to feed some of those Plasti-trim and Med cabinets to a hungry trash truck.Bet the plastic trim would make such a delightful crunching,cracking, and popping sound as the packer blade pushes it into the body.Go to "Classic Refuse Trucks" and one of the videos shows a McNealius manual side load body on a Peterbuilt chassis taking on an old RPTV!Great crunching as the packer ram and precrush panel go to work!Took several pack cycles to get it down.Would have loved to save the Fresnell lens panel-screen!Great burning glass!!

 

[ovrphil]

Blonde ! Maganvox Imperial Tube Console - $1600 (Tyler)

Cool unit, but …choking on asking price…back taxes due?

FIREDOME - Roger, this cracked faceplate is nearly as broken up as the one I received from you after the Post Office gorillas played Dodge-Ball with it.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/5027125180.html

 

[tolivac]

Choking on the price,too!Least it was restored.

 

[firedome]

Resurrecting this console thread! Today's save!.......

Picked up off the curb, one Fisher Metropolitan console today, identical to the one in reply #16 above, and just 2 blocks from my house! I NEVER go that particular route, but for some reason today I did - fate?? This poor console was sitting by the curb, the wooden speaker grills kicked in by some reprobate, the BSR turntable arm completely severed from the plinth, the sorry cabinet beat up and not at all restorable imo. I knew it was far too late to be a tube model, probably a '68 or '59, and a near BOL model, but it looked so forlorn, I felt sorry for it, so picked it up. An hour later the receiver was removed and on my kitchen table for cleaning, the derelict cabinet at my own curb. These are some of the last US-made Fishers, the sell out to Emerson Electric around this time soon reduced them to junk. Hopefully she will sing again.

 

[ovrphil]

BOL, eh? The TT WAS rather miserly, but I'm glad you chose to salvage it. I'm probably crazy(well, crazier), but I like that cabinet and would have tried anything to get it looking good again. Ok, I'm dreaming.

Keep us posted(?)with the restore.

Phil

 

[ovrphil]

An Imperial - RESTORED Magnavox Imperial Console Stereo w/Tu

Since we're on the topic...

ad:"Restored 1960s vintage retro french provincial mid century modern MCM antique console credenza cabinet AM/FM stereo radio with turntable record player phonograph. Excellent condition, everything works perfectly, a few light scratches and scuffs on top but only visible under bright light. Two 15" woofers and two horns, great sound! Comes with adapter/connector for iPod, MP3, or portable CD player. Measures 54L 33H 19D. IF THIS LISTING IS ACTIVE, THE ITEM IS STILL AVAILABLE, I WILL DELETE IMMEDIATELY WHEN SOLD."

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

 

[ovrphil]

ONe more -Vintage Magnavox Radio Phono Windsor Model 305 Ser

Vintage Magnavox Radio Phono Windsor Model 305 Series Rare Console - $1500 (Bucyrus, Ohio)

http://mansfield.craigslist.org/for/5378311475.html

 

[firedome]

those are 2 beauties!

both cabinets are in gorgeous condition! Both high, but truly crazy price on the last one! The Dallas stereo unit above is particularly nice sounding, I had a very similar model about 10 years ago and it performed very well.

The Fisher Metropolitan was the BOL true console for '69, they did have a couple table-top type units priced below it. Here's a link to the brochure for 1969, fun to look at:

http://s408.photobucket.com/user/torskdoc/library/1969 FISHER CONSOLE BROCHURE?sort=3&page=1

The models above had Garrard and Dual as you went up the line. If the cabinet on mine was better I might have tried to resuscitate it, but alas it is truly beyond redemption. After the mid-late '60s stereo cabinet quality declined precipitously. The entire bottom of the '69 I just picked up is cheap particle board and coming apart, probably due to damp garage or basement storage. Use of truly crappy and foul looking plastic moldings on speaker grilles and trim, also became common by the '70s.

Well I've just learned of a ca. 1965 Maggie Astro Sonic in Early American here in Bingo with supposedly a very nice cabinet, so I may just have to check it out!

 

[ovrphil]

Magnavox Windsor

Hi Roger - particle board! Ugh, no wonder you walked away. It's hard enough to restore some of these consoles if they're a faux finish, as well.

Speaking of Windsors :
and skip 1:02 to 1:32 to get to the better music. No stereo then but what would it take to incorporate an fm multiplex adaptor. Wrong site to ask this question.

Astrosonics - solid state, right? Did those use germaniums?