Bradford Console Stereo 1962

danrclem

danrclem

Super Member
I have a chance to pick up a WGEC-96909A for not a whole lot of money locally. It's cosmetically in pretty good shape. I don't even know if it works but I would check it out before I buy.

I've been wanting to get into some tubes for awhile now but haven't had the opportunity. Would this be something worth fixing if needed and keeping?

Here's a link to one just like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8tXp0rByhM

Thanks,
Danny
 
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The WG in the name makes me think its made by Wells Gardner. It doesn't look to be too badly made, but it may not be amazing either. Cabinet design is fairly nice looking. Looks like an all in one type receiver, so its likely going to be more useful in it's original box rather than as a stand-alone amp. It does look to have a power transformer, so no lethal hot chassis nonsense.


You could do a lot worse as an entry into tubes methinks.
 
Sams folder 674-9 has service information - it's still in copyright, so copies are out. You buy an original from many online sellers - try findatube.com.
 
I am currently working on a SE 6BQ5 amp from a console pull, and although it does not have a ton of power, the sound it makes is very nice indeed.
 
My wife picked it up yesterday and today I cleaned it up a little and tried it out. It didn't sound very good at first but after awhile it started sounding better. A little fiddling with the antenna and sounding good. I can't get a signal on FM stereo but that's not a big deal. I'm listening to it right now.

The turntable works but it drags when using the reject function. The platter makes noise and needs to be lubed. I don't know the name of the wheel between the platter and the motor but the rubber may be hardened so I may have to get another one if I can find it.





http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff93/danrclem/IMG_0849_zpsb590aed2.jpg

 
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That's nice looking. If you're bargain hunting and paid just a decent price for the wood alone it's worth it. Looks nice and clean.

I have a mid-60s Packard Bell console that was got for less than the wood was worth alone. Kept the record player and am replacing the amp and speakers. Slowly chipping away at it, but worthwhile.

The rubber wheel, if your player has one, is the idler wheel. I have a Garrard Type A that needed it replaced. Worth trying to sand the edges down a bit and clean the inside of the platter real well where it touches. Could try rubbing an eraser around the edge too. For mine, this wasn't enough, but some people reort success with this method.
 
That's a VM changer. Gary Stork should have the idler, if you need it. thevoiceofmusic.com. Gary is a great guy and very helpful.
 
It is possible you are not getting a signal on FM stereo because there is no multiplex hooked up. If you find inputs for FM stereo on the amp, these will be line level inputs for an external multiplex unit. You can hook up any line level device up here as well.
 
There's a RCA on the chassis that says "multiplex out" your unit does not have FM stereo without that adaptor....
That's why you're not getting stereo
Any "stereo" feed (turntable, outboard tuner, CD player etc) will of course be stereo...

Nice piece tho...
 
Thanks for all of the tips. It does have multiplex jacks on the chassis. The FM mono sounds pretty good as long as the signal is there.

I'm going to pull the turntable and lube it up and clean the idler to see if that helps.

Maybe some more tubes in my future. :scratch2:
 
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