Calling All Motorola Consoles!!!

[TheRed1]

Here is my Motorola console from 1963. It is model# SKR152CW. It is 3 channel with reverb. It has 11 Golden Voice speakers.

I think you've probably got a top-of-line Motorola there. Wow! Its got all the Motorola bells and whistles plus those cool round dials. What a great console.

I have an ad for a 1964 model SK-154 so the '63 models must have topped out right around 152. Do you have any idea what the 'R' in the model number might indicate? The CW part might be 'Contemporary Walnut'.

 

[TheRed1]

Motorola SK-22B here.Golden Voice 8" 2-ways speakers.I've already posted pics of it elsewhere here,don't think I can post them again.I have the schematic,if I delete the other att',maybe I can post it here.

Here's a link to the original post:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=190072

Did you get any documentation with it? If it's 3-channel that would tend to argue for 1960. A 2-channel might still be an entry-level 1960, which would be my guess. But it could also be a '59 - the model number's right on the 59/60 cusp.

EDIT: Further reading in the original post reveals a Sams schematic from Tom Bavis for the SK-22B with a 1960 copyright date. Definitely a 2-channel and most likely a 1960 model.

 

[sloober]

I like the k-tel original disco hits!

 

[jln1966]

The R may stand for reverb. I am not too knowledgable when it comes to model # meanings. I have a bunch of those old K-tel records.

 

[wlarnett]

:jawdrop: Where do you live, 'cause I'm moving there!!!

I've never even given a thought to selling mine, but 6 Franklins might quickly change my mind.

Now, about my museum condition '63 Fisher Custom Electra ... :scratch2:

Dave

Denver, Actually, Im pretty sure I lucked out on that one...
I had a customer who brought in a Solid state console for repair.
The estimate was around 380, and I offered to sell him the Motorola for 600.00
After he listened to it, He asked if he could bring over his Grundig and listen to them side by side.
After he listened, He Left the Grundig here, and bought the Motorola.
not a bad deal overall. I ended up with a junk console (Thats still here taking up space) and a Grundig that I sold the following week.

Gonna post up some of my Consoles here in a bit when i have time to take pics.

Edit: Because Im an idiot and wrote Maggie instead of Motorola.

 

[terryblulite]

Thanks,TheRed1 for posting the link to my Motorola.Guess the B in SK-22B stands for blonde.Man,if I ran across some of the nice consoles you all find,I'd keep them as is,too.

edit..No documentation- it was a garage sale/rental cleanout thing.I think you're right on the date-I was thinking '60 or end of production into '61.It's a neat SE 2 channel.

 

[larryderouin]

Had a SK-47m without a Tuner. The Case was all scratched, had water marks all over and generally in very poor condition. Too far gone for restoration.

It did have all the speakers, Hs-816 Amp, the pre-amp and the V.O.M. TT. with a bad Sonotube 802. Changed it out for a 1/2" mount V-15 Pickering. Plays pretty good with a phono pre-amp. Also got a 10" Record. "A musical adventure in STEREO HI-FI featuring the worlds most exciting music played on Motorola 3 amplifier stereophonic high Fidelity." Probably 1962 model.
Side 1
Excerpts from
1. I'm in the mood for Love
2. South rampart St. Parade
3. Misirlou
4. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
5. El Relicario

Side 2
1. Yes Sir, That's my Baby
2. All or Nothing at all
3. Espana Cani
4. Hernando's hideaway
5. When the saints go marching in

I gutted the case, saving the Speaker fronts, drivers(Jensens), amp, pre-amp. No pressboard in that sucker. Took me 2 hours to break it down with a screwdriver, and a prybar. Gonna use the wood for other things. Ended up with about 6#'s of wood screws.

Larry

 

[relaximus]

Denver, Actually, Im pretty sure I lucked out on that one...

Wow, Denver's economy (since I was last out there in about '89) has come a long way. At that time, houses were available for $1 down with limited documentation. Basically walk in and take over payments. I, and a few of my co-workers, were flown out by a company called Sigma Design for a potential buy-out/merger of our 2 companies. My fondest memory of that trip was skiing Copper Mountain on fresh powder in early-July. That and a couple of fresh caribou steaks were an experience that I'll likely never repeat.

... He Left the Grundig here, and bought the Motorola.

The German consoles have quite a following. Their styling and finish is just amazing. The sound produced by a, seemingly, modest set of drivers is astonishing. It's only when you must work on them that their downside is apparent. The quest for miniaturization, prior to the availability of miniature components, is blatantly apparent. Attempting to recap one of these things without forceps is akin to threading a needle whilst wearing oven mitts.

... I gutted the case, saving the Speaker fronts, drivers(Jensens), amp, pre-amp. No pressboard in that sucker. Took me 2 hours to break it down with a screwdriver, and a prybar. Gonna use the wood for other things. Ended up with about 6#'s of wood screws.

Larry, thanks for your post. Sadly, I think your experience is the norm. It's a shame that the majority of these units, that our parents and grand-parents spent $400-$2K on, wind up neglected, rejected and relegated to the local land-fill. They are wonderful pieces of "Americana" that, without many folks such as some here on AK, would be lost in the mix of iPods and such of our children and grand-children. I feel fortunate that my 14 year-old is so enamored of my consoles. It gives me hope that they may live for yet another generation.

Dave

 

[relaximus]

Here is my Motorola console from 1963. It is model# SKR152CW. It is 3 channel with reverb. It has 11 Golden Voice speakers.

Just wow! I am so jealous of that thing!!! :thmbsp:

Dave

 

[TheRed1]

Motorola Oddballs

The 1964 model year had some rather unusual console offerings. Motorola's dealers said so themselves: "Fantastic New 1964 Motorola Stereo Hi-Fi Features The Unusual" Model SK-154, a Cushion Top-Window Chest Stereo - I actually think it's a pretty good concept. And with that Compressionaire Bass you could probably really feel those low notes - especially when sitting on top.

The hexagonal 'Triune' coffee table console is really a strange concept. A place to set your beverage conveniently right on top of the Hi-Fi. I've scolded my wife for doing that to our consoles! Still, either of these would be a great find because you could put them places you wouldn't ordinarily put a console. I believe that the 1964 Motorolas would still have been 100% tube since their advertising doesn't mention transistors. I'm not sure when Motorola crossed over.

 

[larryderouin]

Larry, thanks for your post. Sadly, I think your experience is the norm. It's a shame that the majority of these units, that our parents and grand-parents spent $400-$2K on, wind up neglected, rejected and relegated to the local land-fill. They are wonderful pieces of "Americana" that, without many folks such as some here on AK, would be lost in the mix of iPods and such of our children and grand-children. I feel fortunate that my 14 year-old is so enamored of my consoles. It gives me hope that they may live for yet another generation.

Dave

I know what you mean. Both my sons won't have anything to do with "STEREO". It's gotta be spindled, stapled, folded, compressed, and mutilated mp3's from their computers and mixed to CD's and or mp3 players. The closest either one has to stereo is the HT setup my oldest (26) has. Uses it only for movies.

We have 2 of the neighbor girls over to babysit once a week and we play "Music Frisbee's" as the 3 year old calls them. The 3 year old gets to push the buttons on the Miracord, and the 7 year old is allowed to load and unload the LP's. They learn quick and they have fun playing records they can dance to. I may end up giving them a starter component system for XMAS they can gray their mother's hair with.

My 2 Fisher Tube, 1 FISHER SS, 1 Olympic Mono, and 4 Magnavox's make up for the Motorola. The worse of the Maggies is in better shape than the Moto was. The FISHERS are in better shape than the Maggies. And I paid less for all 3 FISHER's than I did for 2 of the Maggies. Go FIGURE......

Larry

 

[truetone36]

I'll post the model # of my Motorola 3-channel console as soon as I get everything cleared from in front of it.

 

[TheRed1]

Found this informative discussion of Motorola's 1961 model line-up in a contemporary Billboard magazine article. Note the availability of a two-channel model in the $199.95 "price leader" position. Also, of interest to Marcus, is confirmation that his fabulous Cantonesian was, indeed, Motorola's top-of-the-line model with a MSRP of $995.

Motorola’s 1961 Model Roundup​

. . . the “three-channel” innovation of the 1960 line continues thru all consoles except a $199.95 price leader in the 1961 line.

Motorola’s stereo console line has been expanded from six models last year to nine models this year, featuring a complete restyling of the line in a greater variety of woods and furniture decors. With prices running from $199.95 to $500, wattages run 10 to 51 EIA Music Power Output, which in terms of last year’s measurement of power, Instantaneous Power Output, would be a major hike in power from 20 to 102 watts. The 1961 Motorola console series features optional AM-FM tuners on six of the seven consoles.

The upper-end Motorola console line, featuring cabinetry by Drexel shows four new cabinets, whereas, last year’s line featured three Drexel consoles. Price for the instruments runs from $625 to $695. The peak-priced Motorola consoles, featuring cabinetry by Heritage, announced in January, but not delivered consumer-wise till now, offer two lavish consoles, the Laureate at $895 in mahogany and the Cantonesian in walnut at $995, a climb of almost $300 over anything pervious in the Motorola phono line. Both Drexel and Heritage boast 51-watt peaks.

The $457 and $500 Motorola stereo consoles, all four of the Drexel consoles and both Heritage consoles feature Motorola’s Vibrasonic reverberation feature. Motorola’s reverberation unit differs from those previously introduced by competitors in that they utilize a separate seven-watt amplifier and speaker for reverberation acoustically while others electronically boosted their reverberation thru existing amplifiers and speakers.

All Motorola consoles from $299.95 feature the exclusive Motorola Golden Duplitron ceramic cartridge with diamond and sapphire styli. Motorola claims the new cartridge rivals the performance of magnetic cartridges and additionally its unique design eliminates lint accumulation between cartridge and stylus.

Based upon the success of its widely used “paddle ball” demonstrator of 1959-’60, which allowed salesman or customer to demonstrate separate stereo channel effects, Motorola has introduced a new and exclusive “balance-verifier” switching system on its two high-end Motorola consoles and all the Drexel and Heritage all-in-ones. This permits independent on-off switching of all three channels for precise balancing adjustments. Five of the Motorola consoles and all Drexel and Heritage consoles feature a unique circuit guard, a circuit breaker which replaces the conventional fuse, permitting the user to put his set back in operation in event of excessive power line surges which would normally blow a fuse and result in a service call.

 

[markus]

VERY COOL : )

the 'piggy back' reverb amp in my Cantonese is pretty slick . . . the 8 inch speaker is even unique - not the 'standard' Golden Voice driver . . .

on a related note, I'm off to pick up ANOTHER motorola soon - A FREEBIE !

 

[mashaffer]

Neat, hmmm... I was born in 61. How cool would it be to have a "High End" moto from 61? Must keep an eye out.

mike

 

[TheRed1]

. . . the 'piggy back' reverb amp in my Cantonese is pretty slick . . . the 8 inch speaker is even unique - not the 'standard' Golden Voice driver . . .

I'd like to see more pictures of this "funky" Motorola including a close-up of that medallion on the front. And, of course, we'll want to see pictures of the new one you're dragging home today.

Billboard magazine is turning out to be a great resource for doing console research. However, they do seem to have difficulty counting the number of models since their 1961 model roundup referred to there only being 6 1960 models. By my count there are 12.

The Drexel "Touraine" model number is probably SK-34. The "Declaration" and "Profile" models are probably SK-32 and SK-33 respectively or visa versa.

This article also disproves my theory that: the higher the "SK-" number, the higher up the in the model hierarchy one gets. Oh well . . .

Motorola’s 1960 Model Roundup​

CHICAGO - Motorola here bowed an expanded line of portable and console disk playback instruments, stressing three-channel single cabinet stereo, with the single cabinet console utilizing separate amplifiers for the left mid-range/tweeter, the center-located woofer and the right mid-range/tweeter. All consoles are all-in-one cabinets except one, because the firm’s market research showed consumer preference for single cabinet, according to Edward R. Tayler, executive v.p. of consumer product.

All consoles have an off-on indicator, illuminated record changer compartment, 45 r.p.m. spindle and storage well, AC transformer powered chassis and provision to mount a Motorola AM-FM tuner in the record storage compartment. Price leader is the SK-22 at $229.95. Lowest priced of the three-channel consoles is the SK-24 at $279.95.

The SK-36, at $329.95; the SK-37, at $349.95; and the SK-38 at $339.95, have identical wattage and speaker complement.

In the de luxe brackets, the SK-28 lists at $369.95 while the SK-30 is available at $399.95.

Versatility leader is the SK-29 at $399.95, which features speaker enclosures mounted in doors which swing open offering greater speaker separation.

The SK-31 is the only three-piece console, selling for $429.95.

To complement its line of Drexel high-end stereo consoles, the French provincial “Touraine” at $675 is peak price of the entire line, while the contemporary “Profile” lists at $575 and the American modern-styled “Declaration” goes for $550.

In connection with the line, Motorola has developed a new in-store stereo merchandiser which allows customers to play left, middle or right channels alone or in any combination.

 

[TheRed1]

After a little Google searching I was able to pin down at least two of the '60 Drexel consoles definitively. The SK-32 is part of the "Declaration" line and the SK-33 is part of the "Profile" line. What I think is really cool is that these consoles are part of an entire furniture collection (including upholstered pieces) that are known collectively as the "Profile" and "Declaration" lines. Talk about WAF! You could furnish your entire home with pieces that would match your console perfectly. I find the "Profile" line especially appealing.

This website has the entire 1959-60 "Profile" catalog with the SK-33 pictured on pg. 24. I think the captions on the console and TV are reversed, however.

http://retrorenovation.com/furniture-favorites/drexel-profile/

 

[markus]

*slightly* off topic, BUT:

in the vein of vintage WAF issues, one of my oddball consoles is a 'Thomasville Furniture' console that matched a whole line of their furniture . . . the console came with a showroom brochure, and has a few pieces circled and priced which I'm pretty sure the original owner(s) purchased all at once (console, 2 dressers, and two end tables . . . )

the COOLEST part is this console was loaded with a mono Scott 99D, EV 12TRXB, and a Lafayette AM/FM tuner

 

[jeffhamman]

Sk-49?

I have a motorola SK49 3 channel unit I am hanging on to, I thought it was from 1960 but could stand corrected. I think theres a date stamped on the amplifier. It does not have the optional tuner (used for record storage) but does have the neat channel verifier and the vibrosonic reverb, uses p-p 6bq5 for the bass 15" and se ecl82 for each l/r channel all contained on the same amp chassis. total of 6 speakers. works good but needs cabinet needs refinished. does anyone else have info on my model.

 

[nitrous]

As a side note: while researching Motorola's 3-Channel consoles, I learned of the existence of a 10", 33-1/3RPM demonstration LP with Jonathan Winters doing comedy bits to promote Motorola's 3-Channel technology. It's titled: ''Motorola Presents 3-Channel Stereophonic High Fidelity/Progress In Sound -- Magic Moments In Music'' in stereo from 1959. A google search should reveal a source for this great accessory for one of you Motorola console guys.

I have this disc. I saved it from the garbage, as my mother had thrown it out for pick up that night. It was an amazing stroke of luck that I drove over to visit my parents that very night. I also drove back with the family 3 channel SK- Motorola console in the back of my truck. Will post some pix later for this thread.