Calling All Motorola Consoles!!!

[MarkinStPaul]

I found this old Motorola Console Stereo brochure and Instruction Manual that my parents got when they purchased the Model SK47. I believe this was in the fall of 1961. Sadly, it is long gone.
Curious, I Googled it and found a link to this forum. Seems you might be interested so I scanned and tried to upload the documents. Too big. Hopefully these links work.

Brochure:


Instructions:
(I might not keep these files available forever, so if you want to preserve them go ahead and download.)

Moderator edit: Updated links are available in post 605 in this thread: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/calling-all-motorola-consoles.251084/post-15538691

 

[Omegaman]

That was an awesome year for Motorola Consoles

 

[Frankie's Market]

Yesterday I picked up a SK 30 M. The cabinet is totally trashed beyond hope. It was too dark to unload from my truck, can anyone tell me what I have? Possibly turn it into a head phone amp? If anyone is looking to get a turntable gratis and lives in the PNW message me. Ed View attachment 878710

So I had a little time today, I Dim- bulbed this console today, got it putting out some tunes, and than I went to work pulling the amp, pre amp, tuner out before sending it to the landfill. Question I have is what opinions do you have on the pre-amp? Is it worth recapping and setting it up with the amp?

 

[tbanks]

I picked up this Motorola SK68 this week... sounds like a million bucks! Does any one know original value? Schematics? Ads? Users manual? Anything else about it? Thanks!

 

[Melvin Lee]

There is a nice Cantonesian SK57 in Maynard Ma on craigslist for $40

I have NO room for it.

Mel

 

[Diverted]

Got a great score today on Craigslist: 1961 Motorola "Cantonesian" console in a Drexel cabinet. This 26-tube set was Motorola's top of the line in 1961; cost $995 new. It's big and heavy, and has Motorola's three channel amplifier system with a 15" Jensen for the center channel. It also has the "Vibrasonic" feature, a built-in reverb spring.
This was about 80 miles from me, asking price of $40.
I've come across some very nice consoles recently and thankfully I've been able to find room for all of them! This is going to be one impressive set when done and will go in a place of honor.
The seller said it works great and she listened to it often, but she is moving and has no room for it in the new house.I am not going to apply any power to it until it's open and on the bench. Can't wait!

 

[BrandonS2185]

I recently purchased a SK29M at a garage sale for $30. Replaced the tubes in the amp and the turntable/changer works great. The problem is when I switch it to stereo (from mono) the left door speakers don't work. When in mono it all sounds good. It's a 3 channel unit and I don't know if it's a capacitor issue or something with the wiring. Anyone else experience this?

 

[RWood]

Do the easy things first. Flip the dual RCA plugs that come into the power amp and see if the dead channel moves to the other side.

Try gently rotating the small tubes on the power amp. See if you get any crackly sound or if anything comes back. In case the preamp tubes are mounted up behind the preamp controls it will be more difficult to access them but you might have to do the same thing there.

Since all speakers are working in mono it suggests that the speaker wiring is good and that the power amps work. I would focus on the preamp. Matter of fact you can check this by plugging a different preamp (or line level source) directly into the RCA jacks on the power amp. If you get stereo this way then you'll have confirmed its in the preamp.

Don't worry about capacitors just yet - that time will come!

 

[BrandonS2185]

Do the easy things first. Flip the dual RCA plugs that come into the power amp and see if the dead channel moves to the other side.

Try gently rotating the small tubes on the power amp. See if you get any crackly sound or if anything comes back. In case the preamp tubes are mounted up behind the preamp controls it will be more difficult to access them but you might have to do the same thing there.

Since all speakers are working in mono it suggests that the speaker wiring is good and that the power amps work. I would focus on the preamp. Matter of fact you can check this by plugging a different preamp (or line level source) directly into the RCA jacks on the power amp. If you get stereo this way then you'll have confirmed its in the preamp.

Don't worry about capacitors just yet - that time will come!

Thank you! This is my first go at restoring something like this. I have a lot of experience with the furniture rehab but the electronics are a whole new world. I found the panel to access the pre amp tubes this morning. It has two 12ax7a tubes that I'll likely replace. One doesn't even appear to light up at all when everything is going.

 

[BrandonS2185]

Do the easy things first. Flip the dual RCA plugs that come into the power amp and see if the dead channel moves to the other side.

I switched the RCA plugs and as predicted, the dead channel flipped to the right side. I also noticed I get a bit of "crackle" when turning the volume up or down on the preamp too.

 

[RWood]

Ok it sounds like it's a problem with the preamp. Try swapping those two 12AX7s and see if the tube also doesn't light up after it's swapped, which would indicate a bad tube, or if now the previously good tube doesn't light, which would indicate a problem with the socket or preamp circuit, like maybe the filament wiring.

For the crackling controls you'll need to get at them from behind and shoot contact cleaner into the openings of the pots. Also the function switches. DeOxit D5 is popular for that. It's also good for cleaning tube sockets.

 

[BrandonS2185]

My preamp has two Motorola branded 12ax7a tubes. I haven't had them tested yet but am betting on at least one being bad. Does anyone have recommendations on suitable replacements? I've researched and have found them ranging in price from $11 to $1,200. This Motorola Console isn't some hi fidelity unit so I don't need to go crazy, but I do want to preserve the nice warm tones. I've read good reviews on Mullard...

 

[moondogtn]

I just picked up a SK30m and it's seen better days. I feel it can be brought pack to life minus the changer as it was missing.
First question, what is the finish on the top and sides of this cabinet, lacquer? I don't want to sand the whole thing.
This is going to be a long drawn out restoration so I'm not in a hurry. I'll probably start a thread unless I can find one.

 

[BrandonS2185]

I just picked up a SK30m and it's seen better days. I feel it can be brought pack to life minus the changer as it was missing.
First question, what is the finish on the top and sides of this cabinet, lacquer? I don't want to sand the whole thing.
This is going to be a long drawn out restoration so I'm not in a hurry. I'll probably start a thread unless I can find one.

Congrats on the new console! I am nearing the end of my restoration of a SK29M. When I first picked up the piece I thought it was a semitransparent stain topped with a poly coat of sorts. I was wrong. I stripped and sanded the whole thing and found the main pieces (top and sides) do have a mahogany veneer but the trim and other sections are cheap soft woods painted to match the veneer pieces. So, as a result, restaining the cabinet was out of the picture.

I ended of priming everything with an oil based primer and am working on the top coat. I went with white as the hardware is brass. It's not authentic to the original but will fit in a modern home well.

I also pulled all the components, completely rebuilt the changer, recapped the speakers, replaced tubes, etc.

Once I get it all back together I'll post some pics.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try and help.

Oh and Gary at Voice of Music may have a changer that would fit your model. If not, I've seen them for sale on eBay a few times.

Good luck!

 

[John Powell]

I'll post some pictures later but can anyone tell me about model sk463hp? I've searched the forums without much luck.View media item 11685View media item 11686View media item 11687View media item 11688View media item 11689

 

[RWood]

John - take the back off and look for the chassis numbers on the amp, preamp and tuner. Should be something like HS1298 or something. That's what you'll need to know if you do any electronic restoration.

Brandon - sounds like you've come a long way on yours. Please post some pics!

Moondogtn - I have a Motorola branded VoM changer that'll drop into that hole. PM me if interested.

 

[John Powell]

Just posted some pics. Looks like the chassis # is DHS 62403

John - take the back off and look for the chassis numbers on the amp, preamp and tuner. Should be something like HS1298 or something. That's what you'll need to know if you do any electronic restoration.

Brandon - sounds like you've come a long way on yours. Please post some pics!

Moondogtn - I have a Motorola branded VoM changer that'll drop into that hole. PM me if interested.

 

[Melvin Lee]

Hello, There is a Motorola golden voice for sale right now on Craigslist in Lawrence Massachusetts for $50
I can't remember the model # but it has the 6V6GT P_P amps. I can not bring another one of those home.
They spelled it motorolla.

Mel

 

[BrandonS2185]

John - take the back off and look for the chassis numbers on the amp, preamp and tuner. Should be something like HS1298 or something. That's what you'll need to know if you do any electronic restoration.

Brandon - sounds like you've come a long way on yours. Please post some pics!

Moondogtn - I have a Motorola branded VoM changer that'll drop into that hole. PM me if interested.

Here are a few pics. It's a shame I couldn't salvage the original finish, but it was too far gone.

All that's left is installing the preamp and main amp and it's all finished. I also included a couple shots of the original piece and the underside of the changer after I restored it.

If there's a particular piece you would like to see I can see if I have a pic of that step.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

Very nice work and heartening to see it restored to modern day usage.