SchweinHaus
Well-Known Member
I'm neck deep in a couple of console projects, and I thought I'd check and see if there is anybody else out there who enjoys these restoring these things.
I should preface this whole post by saying that I'm something of a novice when it comes to the repairing the receivers and learning as I go.
My first project is an Olympic Opta 52805. The thing was built in West Germany, and I didn't realize it may have actually been in the country until I found a 10 cent Deutschmark piece inside.
I've replaced the speaker grills and refinished the cabinet.
The thing is a mono tube amp. I'm having some trouble with some flaky tube connections that I'm still working out... and my first attempt at a summing network is in need of revision.
I found an ion iLP turntable, which is not very good, but I was able to rip the thing out of it's old plinth and tear into the original record player holder with a jigsaw and pop it in there. It works really well for the application, even if it's far from a hifi option. I picked it up for $30 brand new.
I'll try to upload a video later, but I also worked in an input selector because I like the idea of listening through all of my media through 1958 mono tubes. It's pretty fun.
My other project, which I haven't really started is an old Airline console from Montgomery Wards which dates roughly to 1963, although that's just kind of a guess.
I like the looks of this one quite a bit myself, so I have a little higher hopes for this one.
I'd like to find an old dual record player to drop into this console (although I'm open to suggestions on better record players I could drop in out of a plinth.) Then I'm seriously thinking of trying to find a very simple, decent receiver, and hack the controls into the knobs on the top of the existing airline console. The existing receiver is cashed and is not likely worth the time investment to rehab it -- but I still want it to light up and to use the original knobs.
In any case, that's my current project and would love to hear if any of you guys have similar projects out there or any tips or advice.
Best!
I should preface this whole post by saying that I'm something of a novice when it comes to the repairing the receivers and learning as I go.
My first project is an Olympic Opta 52805. The thing was built in West Germany, and I didn't realize it may have actually been in the country until I found a 10 cent Deutschmark piece inside.
I've replaced the speaker grills and refinished the cabinet.
The thing is a mono tube amp. I'm having some trouble with some flaky tube connections that I'm still working out... and my first attempt at a summing network is in need of revision.
I found an ion iLP turntable, which is not very good, but I was able to rip the thing out of it's old plinth and tear into the original record player holder with a jigsaw and pop it in there. It works really well for the application, even if it's far from a hifi option. I picked it up for $30 brand new.
I'll try to upload a video later, but I also worked in an input selector because I like the idea of listening through all of my media through 1958 mono tubes. It's pretty fun.
My other project, which I haven't really started is an old Airline console from Montgomery Wards which dates roughly to 1963, although that's just kind of a guess.
I like the looks of this one quite a bit myself, so I have a little higher hopes for this one.
I'd like to find an old dual record player to drop into this console (although I'm open to suggestions on better record players I could drop in out of a plinth.) Then I'm seriously thinking of trying to find a very simple, decent receiver, and hack the controls into the knobs on the top of the existing airline console. The existing receiver is cashed and is not likely worth the time investment to rehab it -- but I still want it to light up and to use the original knobs.
In any case, that's my current project and would love to hear if any of you guys have similar projects out there or any tips or advice.
Best!
circa 1960-1963?
