Advise needed on property powering up a Fisher 500c has has sat for years.

[BrandonAudio]

Hello Tube experts and non-experts, this is my first tube receiver or tube anything and have no idea where to start. I recently acquired a Barzilay Console which contains a Fisher 500c in it. I pulled it out and gave it a good dusting and want to know how to properly inspect it before firing it up. I don’t have any tube test equipment so I’m afraid to just turn it in and see smoke coming out of it. I’m deciding whether to keep it or sell if but wants to know if it works properly. I’m sure it will be a need a bit of tlc internally and definitely tube replacements since all the current tubes are Fisher branded, except the RCAs in the back (I think). Here are some photos. I would appreciated any input or comments, thanks again! Cheers!

 

[kappclark]

What beautiful condition .... will defer to the group of experts on how to preceed, but you are right to be cautious !

 

[drew_t]

There is no getting around the fact that you need some equipment and expertise to assess the condition of this unit. If you don’t have these, the smart thing to do is find a technician or experienced tube hobbyist near you. Don’t simply assume that the tubes are bad, and definitely don’t let anyone sell you on replacing all of them.

 

[Shawnnnn]

I’m sure it will be a need a bit of tlc internally and definitely tube replacements since all the current tubes are Fisher branded, except the RCAs in the back (I think).

The smaller Fisher branded tubes are all Telefunken and highly valuable. They most likely all work perfectly fine. It's usually the big tubes in back that need replacing but you never know.

If you don't have a lot of interest in the amp, selling it without powering it on might be in your best interest. It would probably turn on fine but most likely won't sound all that great without a thorough cleaning of all the pots. Might start smoking as well. People will mention variacs and dim bulb testers but this might be more than you want to do.

As clean as this is with the original tubes you will have a lot of people that want it as is.

 

[Dswankey]

Hello.. this is my first tube receiver.. and have no idea where to start.... I don’t have any tube test equipment so I’m afraid to just turn it in and see smoke coming out of it.... and definitely tube replacements since all the current tubes are Fisher branded, except the RCAs in the back (I think).

What @drew_t & @Shawnnnn said with regards to proper testing and the original tubes.

 

[Dswankey]

One other thing, those Fisher branded Tele's and all Tele's for that matter are notorious for their logo's and lettering for smudging off very easily. Handle the tubes with care if at all.

While this isn't the forum to discuss value, original Tele's in that unit are quite desirable and even more so if they haven't been smudged up.

Here's an example of a few I have that were handled incorrectly compared to what you have.

Also those RCA's are no slouches either.


Nice find all around!!!!

 

[BrandonAudio]

What beautiful condition .... will defer to the group of experts on how to preceed, but you are right to be cautious !

Thank you, I’m amazed how many responses there are already and each members contribute in various ways. Thank you so much for all of the advices. I want to plug it in badly but definitely want to get it to tube techs to have it properly inspected. Thank you!

 

[BrandonAudio]

There is no getting around the fact that you need some equipment and expertise to assess the condition of this unit. If you don’t have these, the smart thing to do is find a technician or experienced tube hobbyist near you. Don’t simply assume that the tubes are bad, and definitely don’t let anyone sell you on replacing all of them.

Great advice! I just assume all tubes go bad after 40 years but like you said, some might be still good. I’m sitting just admiring how clean this unit is with zero rust and shines like new. Too bad I don’t have the case.

 

[BrandonAudio]

Thank you, I’m amazed how many responses there are already and each members contribute in various ways. Thank you so much for all of the advices. I want to plug it in badly but definitely want to get it to tube techs to have it properly inspected. Thank you!

Thank you! I can clearly see all “the Fisher” on all the tubes, I just noticed one on the FM section says “ the Fisher” but the tubes says Made in the Great Britain” so is the tiny tube 6ha5 also says made in the Great Britain while all the others smaller one says Made in West Germany.

 

[Shawnnnn]

It looks amazing, would be a shame to cover it with a case

 

[BrandonAudio]

The smaller Fisher branded tubes are all Telefunken and highly valuable. They most likely all work perfectly fine. It's usually the big tubes in back that need replacing but you never know.

If you don't have a lot of interest in the amp, selling it without powering it on might be in your best interest. It would probably turn on fine but most likely won't sound all that great without a thorough cleaning of all the pots. Might start smoking as well. People will mention variacs and dim bulb testers but this might be more than you want to do.

As clean as this is with the original tubes you will have a lot of people that want it as is.

Thank you for the helpful advices. Just wondering why a few are made in the The Great Britain, and some are West Germany?

 

[dcgillespie]

Also -- try to make sure you don't accidentally bump the little blue control at the side edge of the chassis and change its setting. Its setting is important for good FM stereo performance.

Good luck with it!

Dave

 

[BrandonAudio]

Also -- try to make sure you don't accidentally bump the little blue control at the side edge of the chassis and change its setting. Its setting is important for good FM stereo performance.

Good luck with it!

Dave

Thank you for the heads up on the blue control.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Those 9-pin minis look like they have seams on the top of the tube. My bet is they are Dutch made Philips/Amperex. Or British Mullards.

 

[BrandonAudio]

Those 9-pin minis look like they have seams on the top of the tube. My bet is they are Dutch made Philips/Amperex. Or British Mullards.

The print say they are made in the Great Britain.

 

[jhtstone]

Will that mysterious warm glow in the night suck another victim into the rabbit hole? Stay tuned.

P.S. Tubes are fun. Tubes are addicting.

 

[Mr Boochie]

The print say they are made in the Great Britain.

Maybe Mullard tubes. Look for the Philips/Valvo/Mullard etched codes at the bottom of the tubes.

https://www.audiotubes.com/mullcode.htm

 

[Fairlane]

You need to find someone with a Variac to bring the power up slowly over time all while watching feeling and observing.

Some great advice in the fisher forum. Suggest going over there.
Also where are you located? I know if you were near me or a lot of other guys on here would gladly help look it over first then bring up it slowly for you.

What a nice find, congrats. Whats the story on how you found it?

 

[BrandonAudio]

You need to find someone with a Variac to being the power up slowly over time all while watching feeling and observing.

Some great advice in the fisher forum. Suggest going over there. Also where are you located? I know if you were near me or a lot of other guys on here we would gladly help look it over first then bring up it slowly for you.

What a nice find, congrats. Whats the story on how you found it?

Hello, much appreciate your advice on finding someone with a Variac, I’m located in Sacramento. I went to a garage sale and saw a really nice console to use as a center piece that has doors that slide to the back from the 60s. Behind the doors is this Fisher, each side had a university speakers and the other side had an old Garard Record player. I wanted to gut out the console and store other things in it. So the first piece I took out is this Fisher. Gave it some air and brush the dust away, near to see all the tubes in it and don’t know much about it. The console is at least 150!lbs so this unit added another 40lbs. So it is on a shelf now with a blanket over it and that’s where it will sit for a long time as I’m super busy with little kiddos until I can find someone who has some experience around here to inspect it. It sure what to do with the university speaks and the record player.

 

[zackthedog]

Just curious--could you post some pics of the console itself? Barzilays command pretty steep prices. You could gut it and use it as furniture, I suppose, but those are pretty valuable as consoles. If you do part it out, the receiver and speakers would be desirable for collectors.