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Ambassador Console?

JohnMac

JohnMac

Addicted Member
My neighbor has an Ambassador console that she wants out of the house. She purchased it in '64, made in Canada. I can't find any info on that brand other than some reference to a Fisher model called ambassador. There is a lable on the back with a place for a model # but it is blank. It has a Garrard "Thinline" tt. The piece isn't particularly attractive so I'd only be interested in the tt and what's inside. Any info?

Thanks,
John
 
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The Sams Photofact index lists 429 items under "Ambassador", so can't say much without a model number... '64 was likely tubes, but may be series string - no transformer.. :(
 
Definatly tubes. Peeked through to holes on the back but didn't open it up. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.
 
I went over to take another look at it today and didn't have much luck identifying it. No model # anywhere on the cabinet and nothing on the chassis. I don't know much about tube gear yet so looking at what tubes it uses doesn't help me know if it is worth messing with. Here is an example of what it has. 6be6, 6cb6a, 6ca4, 12at7.
 
6 Volt tubes: good! Definitely worth hauling home.

If you had seen 35C5 or 50C5, there's no power transformer, not so good.
 
I'm going to hijack my own thread. I've been interested in making a stand alone piece from the guts of a console but I don't know where to start. What would I do about an aux input? What about speakers? the seem to have a socket for a plug with pins. Would it be better to start whith something with a amp/preamp and separate radio. Mostly interested in using it with a turntable. Any suggestions?
 
JohnMac said:
Would it be better to start whith something with a amp/preamp and separate radio. Mostly interested in using it with a turntable. Any suggestions?
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Probably. Most of your better quality consoles have AUX inputs. I can confirm what Orthophonic says about the Ambassador brand - definitely a department store brand, sold through Stern's in New York. I have an ad from '58 for a two-piece stereophonic unit that sold for $179.95. Maybe not bottom of the barrel but you could definitely do better. They were probably built by somebody else and rebadged with the Ambassador logo. Without any identifying model/chassis numbers finding a schematic may be problematic. And you'd likely need one in order to modify it to suit your needs. Probably best to start with something closer to what you want.
 
Im not sure I would have brought that home. Not popular tubes. Not popular configuration.
First, no matter what, If it doesnt have a stand alone amp inside, its not worth bringing home (to me). Unless of course you want it for what it is. The old used tubes are rarely worth the trouble unless they are certain brands. And even then they are usually marginal.
Sorry to be a buzz kill.
 
Thanks all, for the info. It's still at my neighbor's and I think I'll leave it there. I have a nice fully functioning 3 piece Voice of Music all tube console that I'm using now. Bought it at a thrift store and haven't done a thing to it. Works and sounds great but I'm sure it could use some work. I use it to play 78s. Probably should learn how to refurb that one before I take on another.

John
 
hey if it has a 6CA4 rectifier you are very likley to find some 6BQ5's in it so don't give it up just yet, especially if it is free! The tubes could very well be worn out, but they could also have very little hours on them. Always nice to have some tubes around for rolling. The 12AT7 could be a decent one too. I would keep the guts if anything for the transformers and tubes.
 
My neighbor just wants it gone and won't be offended if I gut it so maybe I'll do that. As I learn more about tube stuff the parts may or may not be of some use down the road.
 
It would be nice to post a photo of the console before its gutted so we can see if it is a rare console or run of the mill
 
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