Fisher President II, Transition to Stereo 1956
Hi,
I have information and all the components for a 1956 Fisher President II. I inherited it from my uncle. As for price, my mother told me she remembered it costing her brother around $3,000. in 1956. He knew Avery Fisher, was a big Opera fan, and taped live operas, a few of which I have.
It was exactly at the transition to Stereo. Tape was stereo in 1956. Records were stereo in 1958. FM stereo was via a few experimental broadcast methods in 1956.
It had a pair of fisher 30 watt mono blocks, Mullard EL37s. I use EL-34s now, enough power for me. I will try some 6L6s soon. I am still listening to them every day, they sound awesome. I replaced some capacitors recently.
The speakers were 4 way, all electrovoice drivers, 16 ohms.
15" woofer (15B or 15W, I forget. Woofer weighs 37lbs, 7" thick magnet, chrome spider)
compound diffraction horn, (actually 2 coaxial mountet horns, 1 driver)
horn tweeter, brilliance and presence crossover controls on the back.
I had custom rosewood cabinets made, and listen to them every day. Had the woofers re-coned in NYC years ago, and had electrovoice rebuild a burnt tweeter when they were still in business, as well as a spare pair in case.
The original Viking 75 tape deck was 1/4 " tape, 2 track stereo. It had a switch for either in-line or staggered stereo tapes, and two playback heads. I listened to the 2 track stereo tapes I also inherited and bought at garage sales way back. I cannot describe how great a wide 2 track tape sounds. I need a hard to find drive belt (fabric). If there is anyone who can help me get a belt for it, that would be stupendous.
The Garard changer was mono originally, but Fisher technicians came to my uncles house and added a pair of phono preamps, a new stereo cartridge, and a deck mounted switch for mono or stereo.
Separate Fisher tuners for fm and am, mounted either side of the center control panel. Live binaural stereo broadcasts were being done then. Select FM, tune in WCBS fm for left side of the stage, Select AM, tune in WCBS am for the live right side of the stage. Select Stereo, listen to live stereo. System did not last long.
All the various equalization curves for tape and records were individually selectable in the control panel.
I have all the original manuals for the components, cut sheets of the electrovoice drivers, and the operating instructions from Fisher. (individually typed and assembled in a 3 punch binder).
Let me know if you want any more info.
Elliott