Another KLH 25 Console - rare version?

[droh]

Fortunately it's not deep. It's more of surface scratch. And yes, it has that lacquer finish so I will take your advice again and try the Howard's. It has some battle scars from being turned from a great little piece of stereo equipment to what I will assume was just a table to put stuff on. There was a ring of paint that was the size of a pint can. I had to be delicate with removing that. You can see that and the scratch across the front in the picture I posted. I still have a little ways to go to get it where I want it.

Full disclosure, I myself haven't tried the Howard's stuff, but others on this site have used it. I would suggest trying it on an inconspicuous spot, or maybe the inside of a door, see how it comes out. From what I have read it does a really nice job both bringing back the finish and covering scratches and defect. And if it doesn't you could always strip and refinish, that's what I'm in the middle of doing.

 

[VinylRevival]

Full disclosure, I myself haven't tried the Howard's stuff, but others on this site have used it. I would suggest trying it on an inconspicuous spot, or maybe the inside of a door, see how it comes out. From what I have read it does a really nice job both bringing back the finish and covering scratches and defect. And if it doesn't you could always strip and refinish, that's what I'm in the middle of doing.

Just had a "HOLY ****!" moment. I applied some Howard's Walnut and HOLY ****! LOL! THANK YOU! The pictures tell the whole story. Before, during and after. Unbelievable difference!

 

[droh]

Just had a "HOLY ****!" moment. I applied some Howard's Walnut and HOLY ****! LOL! THANK YOU! The pictures tell the whole story. Before, during and after. Unbelievable difference!

WOW! It looks even more spectacular. That stuff really works well. Is it really that glossy or was it just the flash angle?

 

[VinylRevival]

It has a very clean and nice gloss. The flash lit up the handles but picture 2 says it all. That scratch is gone. Great advice. Thanks again.

 

[VinylRevival]

So my lucky streak continues! While I put some funds aside to have the turntable and speakers restored for my KLH, I came across this little beauty and am picking it up next Thursday. It's a Truetone Stereo Tube Console I'm thinking from the late 50's early 60's. Got it for $35.00. It's been inside its entire life so the wood is in great condition. I think it's oak. But the system itself I think is shot. I'm going to do a Modernization Restoration. I'm going to gut it. Replace the speaker screen with a cream colored updated cloth. Take out the TT and radio. Replace the wood it sits on. Cut some slots in it. Install a Pioneer SX 550 or something similar face up. Install a vintage 8 Track under that face up. And put one maybe two Bose 301's inside behind the speaker cloth. They're probably the right size.

Do you know anything about these Truetone Tube Stereos?

 

[droh]

So my lucky streak continues! While I put some funds aside to have the turntable and speakers restored for my KLH, I came across this little beauty and am picking it up next Thursday. It's a Truetone Stereo Tube Console I'm thinking from the late 50's early 60's. Got it for $35.00. It's been inside its entire life so the wood is in great condition. I think it's oak. But the system itself I think is shot. I'm going to do a Modernization Restoration. I'm going to gut it. Replace the speaker screen with a cream colored updated cloth. Take out the TT and radio. Replace the wood it sits on. Cut some slots in it. Install a Pioneer SX 550 or something similar face up. Install a vintage 8 Track under that face up. And put one maybe two Bose 301's inside behind the speaker cloth. They're probably the right size.

Do you know anything about these Truetone Tube Stereos?

Sorry, I know nothing about Truetone. I am a KLH/Advent/AR guy...

Have you tried firing up the Model 25 yet to see if it works?

 

[VinylRevival]

Sorry, I know nothing about Truetone. I am a KLH/Advent/AR guy...

Have you tried firing up the Model 25 yet to see if it works?

The turntable works but needs a good work over with the guts. Makes a rattling noise like ball bearings that haven't moved in decades. It needs a new stylus. Some of the lights under the stereo faceplate need to be replaced. I'm just going to let my stereo guy take care of that and have him update the speakers. At this point it's just mechanics and electronics. I'll keep you updated.

How's your coming along?

 

[DJCheeZY]

Just joined the site cause I picked up a KLH Model 25 number ~750 unit number from the street in Queens, NY. Interesting to learn the KLH history and the modern vs. historic look.

I've never fixed anything electronic - tweets, caps are all new-fangled terms for me. But I am handy with a screwdriver, hammer, fixing things up, love cleaning and restoring. Just scared of the electronics.

How do I tag someone? alteclipsch, droh, I'd love to have that scanned manual.

It plays, but the bass is missing I think and sound is only coming out of one speaker.

 

[DJCheeZY]

 

[droh]

Just joined the site cause I picked up a KLH Model 25 number ~750 unit number from the street in Queens, NY. Interesting to learn the KLH history and the modern vs. historic look.

I've never fixed anything electronic - tweets, caps are all new-fangled terms for me. But I am handy with a screwdriver, hammer, fixing things up, love cleaning and restoring. Just scared of the electronics.

How do I tag someone? alteclipsch, droh, I'd love to have that scanned manual.

It plays, but the bass is missing I think and sound is only coming out of one speaker.

Zach,

PM and email sent with Manual PDF.

Dave

 

[droh]

Just joined the site cause I picked up a KLH Model 25 number ~750 unit number from the street in Queens, NY. Interesting to learn the KLH history and the modern vs. historic look.

I've never fixed anything electronic - tweets, caps are all new-fangled terms for me. But I am handy with a screwdriver, hammer, fixing things up, love cleaning and restoring. Just scared of the electronics.

How do I tag someone? alteclipsch, droh, I'd love to have that scanned manual.

It plays, but the bass is missing I think and sound is only coming out of one speaker.

Nice find! Just out on the street??

That thing should not be lacking in bass, so might be something wrong. But first thing to work on is cleaning all the controls. All the KLH gear of that era has controls that are open to the elements so I would get yourself some Deoxit and give every control (pots and switches) a good cleaning. I have brought back many apparently dead units by just cleaning controls. If you only have sound on one side also make sure that both speakers are actually plugged in. This is actually just a Model Twenty-Four all built into a cabinet, so there are speaker jacks in the back and two wires with plugs that get plugged into those jacks. If you are unsure about this take a picture of the plugs on the back and post it here.

Dave

 

[DJCheeZY]

Nice find! Just out on the street??

That thing should not be lacking in bass, so might be something wrong. But first thing to work on is cleaning all the controls. All the KLH gear of that era has controls that are open to the elements so I would get yourself some Deoxit and give every control (pots and switches) a good cleaning. I have brought back many apparently dead units by just cleaning controls. If you only have sound on one side also make sure that both speakers are actually plugged in. This is actually just a Model Twenty-Four all built into a cabinet, so there are speaker jacks in the back and two wires with plugs that get plugged into those jacks. If you are unsure about this take a picture of the plugs on the back and post it here.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for sending the manual. Boy is it pretty!

And wish I'd read your post first. What a surprise, though obvious in retrospective/what I'd read, that the system really is a unit just set into the console.

The speaker wires were easy. I struggled with and broke the screw that locks the TT onto the platform. I wasn't sure if all the gear/electronics were supposed to come off the platform, too.

Eventually, I broke a screw that locked underneath but got the TT off (after unplugging some other things). Slid the compressed wood and gear platform out and reconnected.

Hoping to test tonight!

 

[DJCheeZY]

Nice find! Just out on the street??

That thing should not be lacking in bass, so might be something wrong. But first thing to work on is cleaning all the controls. All the KLH gear of that era has controls that are open to the elements so I would get yourself some Deoxit and give every control (pots and switches) a good cleaning. I have brought back many apparently dead units by just cleaning controls. If you only have sound on one side also make sure that both speakers are actually plugged in. This is actually just a Model Twenty-Four all built into a cabinet, so there are speaker jacks in the back and two wires with plugs that get plugged into those jacks. If you are unsure about this take a picture of the plugs on the back and post it here.

Dave

And yes, on the street. I ran to get my car and paid some stoned high school kids $5 to move it into my trunk. It was heavy!

Didn't know the brand, but have been looking for a console for a while

 

[Northwinds]

I had a model 20 console when I was a teen... I actually won it as a baby in a beautiful baby contest LMAO and did not even know it was technically "mine" until my Dad mentioned why we had it. When I moved out, it stayed in my old bedroom and who knows what happened to it when my Dad moved to Florida just before he passed away. It sounded ok, nothing like what I use now but it did the job (and wore out a lot of records, I always thought the TT was a POS)

 

[DJCheeZY]

I had a model 20 console when I was a teen... I actually won it as a baby in a beautiful baby contest LMAO and did not even know it was technically "mine" until my Dad mentioned why we had it. When I moved out, it stayed in my old bedroom and who knows what happened to it when my Dad moved to Florida just before he passed away. It sounded ok, nothing like what I use now but it did the job (and wore out a lot of records, I always thought the TT was a POS)

Well, I'll temper my excitement. I've read a lot of people's comments in praise of KLH. Can't say that I know about sound that much. I took a computers and music class in college, love vinyl, mid century design, and fixing stuff.

Interesting story considering I just found this on the street and who knows its backstory

 

[larryderouin]

I got a Model 20 about 9 years ago. Gave it a tune-up, recap, tuned up the FM, and rebuilt the Garrard TT. Gave the whole thing (plus the speakers) to my grand-daughter for her 1st birthday. She's now 6 is the ony one in her 1st grade class who know's how to handle LP's correctly (she told the teacher she was doing it wrong and proceeded to teach the class how!) and uses her 20 daily. Her's has the optional Walnut and clear poly Top. Got another 20 with speakers and am going to give that one to my grandson, now 4 so the two of them will quit fighting over LP's or whos' station gets played. She also has a pair of PRO-4AA's from the 70's. Not sure of what headphones for Will but most likely Pro-4AAA's, just to differentiate between the two systems.

These KLH's are tough cookie's. They actually sound a lot better than they should. Rehabbed and brought up to spec., they should last a VERY LONG TIME. I check over Annabelle's unit one a year and she hasn't broken it yet.....(Crossing fingers and toes all the time. )

 

[DJCheeZY]

I got a Model 20 about 9 years ago. Gave it a tune-up, recap, tuned up the FM, and rebuilt the Garrard TT. Gave the whole thing (plus the speakers) to my grand-daughter for her 1st birthday. She's now 6 is the ony one in her 1st grade class who know's how to handle LP's correctly (she told the teacher she was doing it wrong and proceeded to teach the class how!) and uses her 20 daily. Her's has the optional Walnut and clear poly Top. Got another 20 with speakers and am going to give that one to my grandson, now 4 so the two of them will quit fighting over LP's or whos' station gets played. She also has a pair of PRO-4AA's from the 70's. Not sure of what headphones for Will but most likely Pro-4AAA's, just to differentiate between the two systems.

These KLH's are tough cookie's. They actually sound a lot better than they should. Rehabbed and brought up to spec., they should last a VERY LONG TIME. I check over Annabelle's unit one a year and she hasn't broken it yet.....(Crossing fingers and toes all the time. )

So I took this into a very nice producer and engineer who was holding a meetup session. We pulled and poked it for a while but the bad connection seemed to be diffuse. Turned out the chip was crack so resoldered and the sound comes in great.

Now my wife is saying I just need to get rid of the existing set up and the TT in the hall without a toner arm, then I can bring the klh upstairs

 

[MzMennonaB]

Nice unit, I just scanned and sent an owner's manual to you. These things have really nice sound and can fill any room. I recapped and re-doped the speakers in the one I have (tweeters weren't functioning), and they came to brilliant life! Also installed a new stylus but I want to goof around with it's weight, currently about 3.5 grams. Good luck and have fun!

 

[MzMennonaB]

Hello I am new to the site. I just acquired a KLH Model 'Twenty five and I am having a hard time finding a manual ..I see that you ve one and were able to send scan and send one to another member. would you be willing to do this for me two

 

[alteclipsch]

Hello I am new to the site. I just acquired a KLH Model 'Twenty five and I am having a hard time finding a manual ..I see that you ve one and were able to send scan and send one to another member. would you be willing to do this for me two

I'll try to find it. I've since sold the unit, but I may have kept one of the manuals. If so, sure I'll scan and send to you through email.