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1948 Zenith Chairside

TheRed1

TheRed1

Console Conservationist
He seems tired, world-weary but deeply satisfied with his new Zenith. She, on the other hand, does not look happy. What do you think is running through her mind? (He didn't consult with me on this purchase....and it just doesn't go with our furniture....and now he's going to spend all his time listening to that thing and ignoring me....)

July 1948
ZenithAdA.jpg

ZenithAdB.jpg


Electro-glide, Radionic Waves, Wavemagnet, and FM on both bands! These 1948 Zenith Chairsides sure were packed with cool sounding features.
 
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TheRed1 said:
(He didn't consult with me on this purchase....and it just doesn't go with our furniture....and now he's going to spend all his time listening to that thing and ignoring me....)
Click to expand...

"I can't believe my stupid idiot husband bought the 78 player instead of waiting for the new RCA 45 model."
 
What the hell is a Radionic wave? Is that Zenith's term for an electronically produced sound wave? :headscrat I like how manufactuers back then made up their own words to describe certain features on their products! And it's still being done to this very day. :yikes:
 
Radionic waves is a term for part of the Zenith cobra cartridge system that used an oscillator coil.
Electro-Glide was the term for the motorized drawer that
brought the turntable out to you at the touch of your hand.
Wavemagnet was Zeniths term for their large built in
antenna.
 
"Chairsides" were a Big Deal w/Zenith B4 the war, & looks like for awhile afterwards, too. I remember seeing a picture of Commander Eugene F. McDonald, Jr., the Big Kahuna at Zenith, sitting in a big overstuffed 1930s divan, playing w/one. I think they made "chairside' models of about all of their consoles, including the famous "Big Black Dial" models.
 
"I wonder if they will invent a little blue pill that will perk things up around here?"

Kinda like our wives would wish we paid them as much attention as we paid this board and our gear and music..
 
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I know that this is an old thread, but I just picked up this model (actually the blond "Beverly Hills" model) at Radiofest for $35. I didn't see the record player until I was loading it in the car.

Normally I never plug untested tube stuff in, but I wanted to show my wife, and I was amazed to find that it works! The radio is buzzy and the record player needs an idler, but I'm pretty excited. Push a button and the record player (with 2 tonearms) pushed the door open and glides out and up.
 
Cool find at a great price.

The wife in the pic does look unhappy, and I think Dad does too. His expression says "Dammit, I was so happy for 2 entire tracks until she walked in and said 'What the hell is that?'"
 
"I wish he wouldn't have traded that lovely Radiobar in for that Zenith. I could go for a little snort right about now."
 
Dwartz said:
I know that this is an old thread, but I just picked up this model (actually the blond "Beverly Hills" model) at Radiofest for $35. I didn't see the record player until I was loading it in the car.

Normally I never plug untested tube stuff in, but I wanted to show my wife, and I was amazed to find that it works! The radio is buzzy and the record player needs an idler, but I'm pretty excited. Push a button and the record player (with 2 tonearms) pushed the door open and glides out and up.
Click to expand...

So what kind of condition is the cabinet in?
 
I've got a Zenith console from about 1950. Has many of the same features-except it is a console not a chairside, and it has an "all speed" turntable with cobra arm and "universal" stylus on the radionic wave cart. Note: Universal means its about 2 mil...doesn't play any record properly. It deforms microgroove records, and bottoms out on standard 78's. ha ha.
 
The cabinet is in excellent shape. There's a torn grille cloth and the brass faceplates are either worn or just have a lot of patina on them. We listened to WGN for about 20 minutes. The record player needs a rebuild. It turns but everything is gunked up from old lube.

I'm really ecstatic about this radio. I sold my Philco cathedral radio a few years back and I miss the glowing tubes. AS soon as there's some room I'm starting the recap.
 
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