Stromberg Carlson Television

[countryford]

I just picked this up yesterday. I was going to Tucson to visit family and had seen this on craigslist. The woman had got it from her father when he recently passed away and didn't want it. She had been asking a high price for it, but since the post was about a month old, I offered her quite a bit less and she accepted. So when I went down to Tucson, I met her and picked it up. At first I wasn't sure what brand it was, until I seen on the front it said Stromberg Carlson. I had never seen a SC like this before. It has the manuals for it including a dealer brochere that shows the different models you could get. All of this paperwork is in Spanish. Also all the writing on the front and back of the TV is in Spanish as well. I think this set was made and sold in Mexico. I don't know a whole lot about SC except that they started off making phones and eventually started making radios and tv sets. I thought they had died off sometime in the 50's. I'm assuming this tv is anywhere from about 58 to 62. I'm just guessing at that since I don't know. Also this set is long it is 76 inches long. Its all tube tv and radio, and the radio also has shortwave. It needs a little work the top of the tv that lifts up to show the record player, the wood on it is seperating. It needs some work,but is still a nice piece.

 

[countryford]

The emblem on the front of the tv. You can sort of make out, that it says Stromberg Carlson. Also above that it says just SC.

 

[countryford]

The radio. On the left just above the radio it says Stromberg Carlson and on the right just above the radio it says "Sonido-Estereofonico" I'm not sure what that means, but I'm sure someone on here knows Spanish and can translate.

 

[countryford]

The turntable is a Gerrard phonograph.

 

[countryford]

The top of the unit. As I said it is 6foot 4 inches long. HUGE!!! I just got it unloaded out of the van today. I took off the back and the thing is caked in dust. Looks like it hasn't been turned on since Moses was alive. Anyways I have not yet tested it, and am going to wait until I blow the dust out of it.
Also you can notice it is in my laundry room as there is the Bendix on the end and the Lady K set and the Frigidaire behind it.

 

[petek]

That certainly is a sight to behold isn't it as well as a conversation piece.   Almost if not gaudy looking with all the different materials and shapes going on in the front design as well as that highly polished woodwork . Nice one.  

 

[kevin313]

That's a very interesting piece. It may have been made in Mexico, or for the Mexican market. I'm not sure when S-C stopped making televisions and radios. In the era that this set was made, S-C was owned by General Dynamics, which had some huge military contracts.

The S-C name was also sold to a company in South America which used it (and might still be using it) for TV's, radios, DVD players, etc. I don't know when that started, but there is a chance that your set could also be South American made. Maybe you will find some information inside the console somewhere as to where it was built.

Regardless, it sure is over the top with it's knobs, buttons, trim, etc. Very space age! I'm sure it cost quite a bit of money in its day. Those early Garrard record changers are usually pretty good.

 

[moparguy]

Wow, an awesome console find! I don't know when Stromberg Carlson left the consumer radio/television market in the US, but often companies continued to market in Central/South America after a product/product line had been discontinued in the US. This is a beautiful console, it almost looks like the high end German models. And I am assuming 'stereophonic sound'!

 

[Ultramatic]

"Sonido-Estereofonico"

<span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, it means "Stereophonic Sound".  This is definitely something for/from the south of the border market. </span>

 

[petek]

Jeff.. yeah.

If it was toned down a little you could mistake it for something German

 

[countryford]

When I first seen the ad for it, I thought it was a Grundig. I know that Grundig had some stereos that were bout the same wood style. It wasn't until I zoomed in on the picture, that I realized that it was a Stromberg Carlson.

 

[blackstone]

Reposting this photograph would be appropriate:

Sign from our store. My father sold Stromberg-Carlson TVs, probably in the 50s.

 

[thor]

Tanslation

Hi Justin, congratulations on your new stereo console, it looks impressive! How big are the larger speakers? If you want I could translate from Spanish into English any part of the console's manual, or the control panel. I won't be home next week but after that I'll have plenty of time.
Emilio

 

[countryford]

Thor: When I clean out the back I'll find out how big the speakers are. Also I appreciate your offer on translating, but my sister speaks spanish real well and she will be able to translate for me.

 

[whirlcool]

German radio manufacturers often OEM'ed a lot of their radios to other manufacturers during the 60's & early 70's. That could be a Grundig or Telefunken radio in there.

 

[tolivac]

Indeed-that console Hi-FI set reminds me of Grundig and Telefunken sets.Can we get a shot of the back-the electronics-may further help in identification of the electronics.The unit is in EXCELLENT condition visibly.Are there "aux" inputs on it so you could plug in an external audio source-like a tape deck,CD player,or TV soundtrack?Like the styling of the set-very nice!!

 

[thor]

Justin, my guess is the unit has 4 x 8" speakers, judging from the shadows on the fronth cloth... Let's wait and see..

 

[washernoob]

Oh my! That television is beautiful! Nothing today can compare to the uniqueness of this baby!

 

[rp2813]

That is an impressive piece!  It could very well be from 1962 even though the styling would indicate closer to 1958.  Back in those days it took a while for Mexico to catch up to the latest styling trends.