mccreadysit
New Member
Thanks Chris !!! It is an all tube model, when did Motorola go SS?
Calling All Motorola Consoles!!!
- Thread starter relaximus
- Start date
gtojudge
New Member
Anytime, glad to share knowledge, most of which comes from the wonderful people on this site!...I am going to say 1965 or 1966...I am sure TheRed1will have a definitive answer on when the tube to solid state transition took place...
grandpaslab
Active Member
Sk79wa!
I just picked up an SK79WA!
I'm in the process of replacing some caps.
Crossover caps measured 0uF! I'm replacing those with some film caps.
I'm still reading through this thread, but if anyone has info on what to do about the record changer, I'd love to hear it. The changer seems to work, but I wouldn't want to use it unless I can replace the cartridge and/or tonearm.
a few more pics
I just picked up an SK79WA!
I'm in the process of replacing some caps.
Crossover caps measured 0uF! I'm replacing those with some film caps.
I'm still reading through this thread, but if anyone has info on what to do about the record changer, I'd love to hear it. The changer seems to work, but I wouldn't want to use it unless I can replace the cartridge and/or tonearm.
a few more pics
Last edited:
New to the forums, and new to the tube console as well. found this motorola SK24-M in a off the beaten path antique store, and instantly bought it. no questions asked. tuner works. speakers sound great once it is warmed up. the turntable does not work though. i think ill have to take it apart and clean it (the speed selector arm does not move) and see why it wont work. both arms and turntable move freely. weird issues is that when i turn it onto stereo, only 1 speaker works, but when it is turned to mono all 3 channels work. now for pictures
Last edited:
Victrolaman
Member
you cant beat the sound quality of these sets, I own 3 myself including a Drexel made model from 61. I play mine daily
Cankles, grandpaslab, et al.......
99.9999999999999940% of MOTOROLA TURNABLES (Technically they ARE CHANGERS) were made by "Voice of Music" Co. Gary Stork has a good site on how to identify, clean, etc. and get parts for the V-M Changers, and other phonographs. There is a page on how to identify the changer as far as model # etc. on the site.
www.thevoiceofmusic.com
Most times they will need to be torn down and DEGREASED, CLEANED, RE-LUBED, and reassembled. This isn't a SPRAY some Brake Cleaner in the works and put it back in. It has to be taken down piece by piece. Luckily V-M changers are some of the easiest changers to repair. And parts are still available, even a lot of the platter pads, and trim pieces.
99.9999999999999940% of MOTOROLA TURNABLES (Technically they ARE CHANGERS) were made by "Voice of Music" Co. Gary Stork has a good site on how to identify, clean, etc. and get parts for the V-M Changers, and other phonographs. There is a page on how to identify the changer as far as model # etc. on the site.
www.thevoiceofmusic.com
Most times they will need to be torn down and DEGREASED, CLEANED, RE-LUBED, and reassembled. This isn't a SPRAY some Brake Cleaner in the works and put it back in. It has to be taken down piece by piece. Luckily V-M changers are some of the easiest changers to repair. And parts are still available, even a lot of the platter pads, and trim pieces.
gtojudge
New Member
1961 sk56mb
Hi there everyone!
Here is my Motorola console find and keeper.
It is a TOTL 1961 Motorola SK56MB with the Heritage cabinet. Found in a thrift store local to me by none other than my girlfriend, who spotted it knowing that I had been looking for a nice console to add to our home as a sound system, as well as one that fits into our decorating scheme. It is fully functional amp and tuner-wise, even the dual speaker reverb works perfectly. Turntable needs the usual VOM tune-up, and the cabinet needs a good cleaning, but all in all a find I am most happy with!
Hi there everyone!
Here is my Motorola console find and keeper.
It is a TOTL 1961 Motorola SK56MB with the Heritage cabinet. Found in a thrift store local to me by none other than my girlfriend, who spotted it knowing that I had been looking for a nice console to add to our home as a sound system, as well as one that fits into our decorating scheme. It is fully functional amp and tuner-wise, even the dual speaker reverb works perfectly. Turntable needs the usual VOM tune-up, and the cabinet needs a good cleaning, but all in all a find I am most happy with!
Attachments
iamdgw
How did I end up here?
So am I correct to assume, with my limited skimming of this thread / and the entire internet 
that when it comes to Motorola consoles - the models that begin with SK - are 3 channel? I got a line on a SK101M-FMZ and I'm finding limited information on that model online.
Now that I think about it - OTOH - I already HAVE an amp chassis pulled from a Motorola at the house... :scratch2:
36 is too young to start getting forgetful like that!
that when it comes to Motorola consoles - the models that begin with SK - are 3 channel? I got a line on a SK101M-FMZ and I'm finding limited information on that model online.Now that I think about it - OTOH - I already HAVE an amp chassis pulled from a Motorola at the house... :scratch2:
36 is too young to start getting forgetful like that!
jeffhamman
Active Member
Must have been '62.my sk53cw was a '61 and looks identical do you know the difference? Very nice also just picked a sk47 and have a sk49 all 3 to be restored
wa2ise
Super Member
SiliconTi
Super Member
My New to Me SK28M
Hi All,
I tripped across this SK28 in a junk shop. Managed to get it for $40 delivered. It is complete and original - untouched since new. The wood is about an 8/10, but the guts look great - even the serial # tags are still there. Here are some inside shots, external coming eventually. It does have the optional AM/FM tuner. Was told it works, we'll see.
Hi All,
I tripped across this SK28 in a junk shop. Managed to get it for $40 delivered. It is complete and original - untouched since new. The wood is about an 8/10, but the guts look great - even the serial # tags are still there. Here are some inside shots, external coming eventually. It does have the optional AM/FM tuner. Was told it works, we'll see.
Attachments
Last edited:
illinoisteve
Super Member
I drove home with this one this afternoon. It's more of a stereo coffee table than a console:
The turntable has been removed, but the receiver is intact and working:
As you can see the verbage on the receiver front shows no model number:
Here is an underneath view of the receiver -- several tubes involved:
On the bottom of the chassis is an about business card sized diagram:
Here's a picture of one of the speaker systems, which have been obviously modified. First, the original tweeters are present, but not connected. The woofers have been replaced with much newer speakers, possibly auto speakers. Wires still go to the original midrange speakers, but I'm not sure whether they are still being used.
I believe I had seen this on the local CL for $10 and with only a picture of the coffee table view. I emailed questions, the only way to respond to the ad and never got any answer. Today, I saw it outside of a local thrift shop, marked $5. I was going to pass it by, until I saw it was tube.
The thrift shop clerk said that they were told that it worked and that the former owner had been playing an MP3 player through it but just wasn't satisfied with the sound. Presumably the guy was plugging the headphone level output of the player into the Motorola's phono inputs. If the inputs were for a turntable with a ceramic cartridge, that might have sort-of worked.
I temporarily unscrewed the receiver chassis enough to shift it considerably and at that point I could see these numbers stamped (or stenciled) on it:
HS-1128A
8M83
Does that mean anything to any of you Motorola console experts?
Also, can you tell me what stereo cartridge (or possible ones) the original record changer would have been likely to have used. If I put in a substitute changer, I'd like to first try something like the original cart. I am guessing it would have been a ceramic with a flip-over needle, but feel free to correct me.
One other thing, I'm ready for my initiation ceremony as a new "Tubie" now! I'm not sure if I can be called a "Tubie Nubie," since I sorted my dad's tubes and other electronic parts as a kid, and made a signal generator with a tube in the oscillator circuit for my 8th grade science project in about 1966.
The turntable has been removed, but the receiver is intact and working:
As you can see the verbage on the receiver front shows no model number:
Here is an underneath view of the receiver -- several tubes involved:
On the bottom of the chassis is an about business card sized diagram:
Here's a picture of one of the speaker systems, which have been obviously modified. First, the original tweeters are present, but not connected. The woofers have been replaced with much newer speakers, possibly auto speakers. Wires still go to the original midrange speakers, but I'm not sure whether they are still being used.
I believe I had seen this on the local CL for $10 and with only a picture of the coffee table view. I emailed questions, the only way to respond to the ad and never got any answer. Today, I saw it outside of a local thrift shop, marked $5. I was going to pass it by, until I saw it was tube.
The thrift shop clerk said that they were told that it worked and that the former owner had been playing an MP3 player through it but just wasn't satisfied with the sound. Presumably the guy was plugging the headphone level output of the player into the Motorola's phono inputs. If the inputs were for a turntable with a ceramic cartridge, that might have sort-of worked.
I temporarily unscrewed the receiver chassis enough to shift it considerably and at that point I could see these numbers stamped (or stenciled) on it:
HS-1128A
8M83
Does that mean anything to any of you Motorola console experts?
Also, can you tell me what stereo cartridge (or possible ones) the original record changer would have been likely to have used. If I put in a substitute changer, I'd like to first try something like the original cart. I am guessing it would have been a ceramic with a flip-over needle, but feel free to correct me.
One other thing, I'm ready for my initiation ceremony as a new "Tubie" now! I'm not sure if I can be called a "Tubie Nubie," since I sorted my dad's tubes and other electronic parts as a kid, and made a signal generator with a tube in the oscillator circuit for my 8th grade science project in about 1966.
Last edited:
SiliconTi
Super Member
ExteriorHere are the exteriors. Not in too bad a shape. It is complete.
The Good:
Turntable works
Has optional Receiver
it is complete, all parts and trim are there.
The bad:
The receiver does not work, though it turns on
the turntable has a bad channel - wavers up and down in volume (not the preamp/amp)
The amps right channel is a bit weaker than the left
I'll recap it then get a new needle for the 'table and see how she does.
Last edited:
SiliconTi
Super Member
Can't go wrong for $5! Too bad it has been "improved", but it makes it less painful to scavenge the amps out of it.
Son-of-Vere
Super Member
I drove home with this one this afternoon. It's more of a stereo coffee table than a console:
The turntable has been removed, but the receiver is intact and working:
As you can see the verbage on the receiver front shows no model number:
Here is an underneath view of the receiver -- several tubes involved:
On the bottom of the chassis is an about business card sized diagram:
Here's a picture of one of the speaker systems, which have been obviously modified. First, the original tweeters are present, but not connected. The woofers have been replaced with much newer speakers, possibly auto speakers. Wires still go to the original midrange speakers, but I'm not sure whether they are still being used.
I believe I had seen this on the local CL for $10 and with only a picture of the coffee table view. I emailed questions, the only way to respond to the ad and never got any answer. Today, I saw it outside of a local thrift shop, marked $5. I was going to pass it by, until I saw it was tube.
The thrift shop clerk said that they were told that it worked and that the former owner had been playing an MP3 player through it but just wasn't satisfied with the sound. Presumably the guy was plugging the headphone level output of the player into the Motorola's phono inputs. If the inputs were for a turntable with a ceramic cartridge, that might have sort-of worked.
I temporarily unscrewed the receiver chassis enough to shift it considerably and at that point I could see these numbers stamped (or stenciled) on it:
HS-1128A
8M83
Does that mean anything to any of you Motorola console experts?
Also, can you tell me what stereo cartridge (or possible ones) the original record changer would have been likely to have used. If I put in a substitute changer, I'd like to first try something like the original cart. I am guessing it would have been a ceramic with a flip-over needle, but feel free to correct me.
One other thing, I'm ready for my initiation ceremony as a new "Tubie" now! I'm not sure if I can be called a "Tubie Nubie," since I sorted my dad's tubes and other electronic parts as a kid, and made a signal generator with a tube in the oscillator circuit for my 8th grade science project in about 1966.
I don't see a power transformer anywhere. Looks like a live chassis. 12ax7a is kind of a giveaway. Plan accordingly. Still looks like fun on a bun.
illinoisteve
Super Member
"live chassis" ......?
cademan
Lunatic Member
Live chassis means that there is no power transformer and one side of the mains wall voltage is usually connected to the chassis itself.
Also called a series string chassis where when one tubes's heater burns out, they all go out.
I believe that that stereo is probably good for about a watt or two each channel. It would probably sound great when recapped and restored with the original speakers, but how would you know what the original speakers were?
illinoisteve
Super Member
I guess, I'm lucky the tubes aren't all burned out. Is there a higher risk of shock with this design?
Is this one of those 3-channel jobs, some others have talked about? I blew up the diagram and it shows a "left output," a "right output," and a "bass (center)," and apparently all of them come off of their own output transformers.
Is this one of those 3-channel jobs, some others have talked about? I blew up the diagram and it shows a "left output," a "right output," and a "bass (center)," and apparently all of them come off of their own output transformers.
cademan
Lunatic Member
Motorola made so many different designs. Hot chassis and transformer, two & three channel stereos.
Yours looks to be of the series string (hot chassis) 3 channel design. Not a lot of power but they can still sound good.
Not sure where the center speaker is located but it looks to be one of those cheap circuits which only uses two tubes for right and left stereo and a combination of both for the center (bass) channel.
Yours looks to be of the series string (hot chassis) 3 channel design. Not a lot of power but they can still sound good.
Not sure where the center speaker is located but it looks to be one of those cheap circuits which only uses two tubes for right and left stereo and a combination of both for the center (bass) channel.
Last edited: