It's not a washer but it spins

[rp2813]

Wow, that remote control brings back memories of being at my neighbors' house growning up. It's the only remote I've ever used that made a compressed air sound. A button pusher's dream! These same people had a similar stereo console. I recognize the tuner and knobs.

 

[63getelevision]

As I had mentioned, those remotes would control stereo sets that were so equipped, like the one in a much earlier thread. The remote would change records, radio stations, and the television when included. You could also turn the radio or TV on or off, and control the volume. As mentioned, Spankomatic's console, and none of mine, are remote controlled.

 

[selectomatic]

Remote Control

I'm going to guess that a two-button remote doesn't turn the unit on and off.

IF THE REMOTE DOES TURN IT ON, I would definitely not leave the unit plugged in while unattended until it was checked out and serviced. In order for the remote to turn the unit on, there must be a power supply and remote receiver circuit which are powered up all of the time.

In fact, it's a good idea to unplug (or use a switched outlet or plug strip) for most vintage equipment. Better safe than sorry!

-kevin

 

[paulg]

I have a Maggie too.

One of my favorite stereos is the "COLUMN" type AM-FM Magnavox stereo that I have in the bedroom. It's circa about 1972. It's contemporary, about 4 foot tall and about one foot square. With its slate top you can put something on top (I have Nipper). Magnavox was certainly known for esthetic creativity! Still works perfectly with no major repairs.

 

[63getelevision]

Spice Chest

I have a 1975-76 model "Spirit of '76" spice chest Magnavox in a dark tall cabinet with 14 white porcelain knobs on its door. It has an 8 track constantly stuck in ON position, I tap a two speed Micromatic component player in it, that dates from '72. Mine has not been used since before last June, and hopefully still works. Magnavox made a few different variations on the "column" theme. They seem to last forever, wish my 5foot long console had. Maybe someday...

 

[paulg]

I bypassed my 8 trak

I too have the 8trak in my column. Although I left it in place,I bypassed it and installed one of those mini CD/DVD players. There's a storage space right above the 8-trak so the CD player fits like it was made to order!
I remember 1976 as a big year for Magnavox with lots of Americana designs. DuMont and Magnavox really could do a cabinet right.

 

[63getelevision]

Du Mont

I would like a good Du Mont. Another long gone brand I do have is a mid '50s Stromberg-Carlson. It has a matchstick grille, very ultramodern.

 

[tolivac]

I used to have a DuMont TV I found on the side of the road in Baltimore.At that time-80's Baltimore was a good place to hunt for TV's would find them in front of houses for trash day.Sadly the DuMont,a Philco BW TV(with remote that worked)An RCA "round jug" color set-and a Motorola Color set got stolen from a transmitter site out there one night.My freinds collection got taken too!We had some nice old sets that we found or people gave us.Sad to see them go.The DuMont worked perfectly-why would someone throw it out?Was fun to watch "the Thing" on it from the Laserdisc machine!when My Mom had her Maganavox-plugged a CD player into the "aux" inputs on the back-the CD machine sounded supurb thru the Maggie!The TV set hunting trips were a byproduct of RF proofs for radio stations.You would take readings of the stations signal in a radial circular pattern over its coverage area to make sure the pattern meets license specs.

 

[63getelevision]

Du Mont television

An "expert" told me a few years ago that nobody collects tv sets, and nobody collects console stereo sets, and was amused that I collect Magnavox. Bull---t to all three. It is a shame about your sets, you probably would still have them after all this time even. As far as people just throwing out old working anything sets-Morons! I hate the mentality that thinks perfectly good things are junk because they are old. At least give the stuff away! I use an FM transmitter to play CDs and tapes through my sets with or without RCA jacks. Until things improve here, that's my best bet. The sound is unbelieveable, and all of my radios pick it up, without moving the transmitter.

 

[tolivac]

A couple of the sets(Philco) were found in the junkpile behind a TV repair shop.The owner said-"take 'em away"they are for the trash pickup"Roger and I obliged.He said the sets were too old to resell-same with an RCA round jug color set-that worked perfectly as well-just needed minor tuneup.Its picture tube was in good shape.The hunt for a Magnavox "Concert Grand" Hi-Fi continues.One fellow out here that moved and used to collect radios and TV's said "Maggies" were quite rare out here-In this area people didn't want to spend the money on a unit that expensive.While doing "curb shopping" out here haven't fopund ANY interesting electronics-Tv's or Hi-Fi equipment.

 

[rp2813]

Nobody Collects TV's

Alan, I'm sure that same "expert" advised countless people that their TV's weren't worth fixing. He needs to be directed to "antiqueradios.com" or "audiokarma.org" for an education. There are guys collecting and fixing (often quite easily) TV sets up to 60+ years old. I have a 1950 Admiral bakelite "consolette" model with 10" CRT that sat in the attic for years until I found the above referenced web sites. I found a local guy who did repairs in his garage and with a simple change-out of capacitors got my set going again. He didn't even replace a single tube and the set performs well and provides a good picture.

There are plenty of TV collectors out there busy saving some of the best designs from the "golden" age of television from the trash heap.

 

[63getelevision]

I'm With You

What galls me is that I was trying to give the "expert" a complete but not working '53 Zenith TV radio-phono. I am crowded out of my home with tons of misplaced radios, console stereos and hi-fis, and tons of other collectibles. I can't sacrifice space for that poor set, but want to keep it out of the dump. The Zenith came out of a house that was unoccupied for 23 years and exposed to a lot of damp and leakage from the roof. Not directly, but it sat in wet carpet on and off. It could be restored. I have seen most of the antique TV set sites, and am pleased to see a lot as new as the '70s are being saved.