cademan
Lunatic Member
As old as it is, as stated, in those days, it was most likely for a reel-to-reel tape deck. FYI, you probably know this, but you can use the "TAPE INPUT" for a CD player, cassette deck, extra tuner, etc.
Calling All Motorola Consoles!!!
- Thread starter relaximus
- Start date
As old as it is, as stated, in those days, it was most likely for a reel-to-reel tape deck. FYI, you probably know this, but you can use the "TAPE INPUT" for a CD player, cassette deck, extra tuner, etc.
f'duponhifi
New Member
Thanks for the help y'all... I will take a look inside the back tomorrow when I get home from work, it needs to have the years of dust removed any ways... I'll take pics and post up when I do... :thmbsp:
EDIT: when I bought it my buddy was like WTF are you going to do with that I thought it would be kinda cool to have my ipod connected to it...
EDIT: when I bought it my buddy was like WTF are you going to do with that I thought it would be kinda cool to have my ipod connected to it...
TheRed1
Console Conservationist
F'duponhifi, I believe your Motorola is an SK-49 from the 1961 model year which would have debuted around Sept. of 1960. That model was one of the top "regular" Motorola models and sold for $449 (or $475 if you believe Billboard magazine - which I have learned to mistrust.) I believe AK member Jeffhammon has that model as well. You may want to PM him to see what he knows about his. Yours appears to be the "blonde" finish unless it has been painted that color - it's hard to tell in the photos. The amp and tuner/pre-amp should have their model numbers stamped in ink somewhere on the chassis.
f'duponhifi
New Member
Ok y'all I opened the back up and did a little dusting, so I took a few pics to post up... on the pink tag it says model "HS822b", the board(? terminology) behind the woofer with the tubes in it says "HS870A", and the chassis for amp and tuner pre-amp have "HS822B" although the "B" isn't all that clear. The speakers are as follows (rough est. on measuring feal free to correct if you think I'm wrong) the two sides have a 6-1/2" on top and a 4-1/4" below, the woofer is 12" and to the right of that is a 5-1/2" they all have "motorola golden voice" stamped on them. There was a brown paper tag on the bottom of the cabinet inside below the dust and it had model "HK44" on it.... on to some pics...
AMP AND TUNER CHASSIS
ONE SIDE SPEAKERS
WOOFER
AMP AND TUNER CHASSIS
ONE SIDE SPEAKERS
WOOFER
f'duponhifi
New Member
:thmbsp: ahh ok... I have decided to cruise around this site and try to learn about audio gear. Motorcycles, cars, I'm fine but this stuff wow! Atleast this place seems like a good place to click around and read up, lots of friendly locals too :thmbsp:
f'duponhifi
New Member
just got back from best buy with the cord for my ipod and the reel to reel input and hooked it up... 
it kicks ass...
it kicks ass...
magnasonic66
New Member
What a great looking lot of Motorola consoles! Does anyone here have the Drexel Projection console? I know there was a television offered in that design.
CougarXR7
Sultan of Swing
New member here.
I just picked up a late '50s Hi-Fi mono turntable. It does not have the tuner. While it appears to be mostly original (and functioning), the oak and tolex have serious water damage and must be refinished.
All of the tubes glow and I get sound when I play a record, but it's very weak. I can crank up the loudness to '10' and it's still quiet, but with an audible hum; not unlike a guitar amp that isn't grounded. Any advice?
Thanks!
I just picked up a late '50s Hi-Fi mono turntable. It does not have the tuner. While it appears to be mostly original (and functioning), the oak and tolex have serious water damage and must be refinished.
All of the tubes glow and I get sound when I play a record, but it's very weak. I can crank up the loudness to '10' and it's still quiet, but with an audible hum; not unlike a guitar amp that isn't grounded. Any advice?
Thanks!
cademan
Lunatic Member
Hi, and Welcome! If you have done any research (maybe not) it sounds like it could go for a new recap job. Replace all capacitors and the power filter capacitor, and check the tubes (if you have or know someone with a tube tester).
9 times outta 10, this will clear up the low volume issues, especially if its 50 years old and hasn't had a good tune-up sinse it was new.
Once that is all done, then go through it and do the minor things like touching up cold or grey looking solder joints, checking tube sockets and just basic cleaning up of everything.
After everything has been done, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what volume and bass sounds will come out of that thing, even though its mono!
9 times outta 10, this will clear up the low volume issues, especially if its 50 years old and hasn't had a good tune-up sinse it was new.
Once that is all done, then go through it and do the minor things like touching up cold or grey looking solder joints, checking tube sockets and just basic cleaning up of everything.
After everything has been done, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what volume and bass sounds will come out of that thing, even though its mono!
CougarXR7
Sultan of Swing
You're correct - it appears to have the original paper and/or wax caps. One of them was oozing some brown goo, also. I assume that's bad.
One correction: one tube does not appear to glow when the unit is running. Is that a clear-cut way of saying it's bad?
I've been a musician for 17 years, but this is the first tube-driven device I have ever owned. I need to educate myself on how everything works. Thanks for the information!
One correction: one tube does not appear to glow when the unit is running. Is that a clear-cut way of saying it's bad?
I've been a musician for 17 years, but this is the first tube-driven device I have ever owned. I need to educate myself on how everything works. Thanks for the information!
relaximus
Consoles 'Я' Us
That looks just like my '58 (see the first page of this thread). If so, it will have an HS-649A amp chassis. You'll find tons of room under the chassis for new caps. It's one of the easiest chassis I've recapped.
Dave
No, certainly not until you've dealt with the bad caps. Also, which tube is it? Some will "glow" more visibly than others.
Dave
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cademan
Lunatic Member
The 6AU6 tube, and the two 12AU7 tubes are usually not very brite. Check them in a dark room or at night!
Let's see a pic of the underside!
Someone else may have a schematic, but I have the SAMS complete schematic if you need it.
CougarXR7
Sultan of Swing
You guys are great with the information.
Relaximus: I would say it's almost identical to yours. In fact, the chassis appears to be identical based on your picture.
The tube that doesn't appear to glow would be a 12AU7A (closest to the transformer). I spent some time cleaning out the pots, much like I would do for an old guitar, and it seemed to smooth out the 'jumps' when adjusting the tone and volume.
I can't wait to get this thing groovin' like it did 50 years ago. It looks like the next step will consist of what caps I should purchase and where to put 'em. I'm somewhat skilled with a soldering iron, so I would feel good about performing all work on my own.
Thanks again for the support.
Relaximus: I would say it's almost identical to yours. In fact, the chassis appears to be identical based on your picture.
The tube that doesn't appear to glow would be a 12AU7A (closest to the transformer). I spent some time cleaning out the pots, much like I would do for an old guitar, and it seemed to smooth out the 'jumps' when adjusting the tone and volume.
I can't wait to get this thing groovin' like it did 50 years ago. It looks like the next step will consist of what caps I should purchase and where to put 'em. I'm somewhat skilled with a soldering iron, so I would feel good about performing all work on my own.
Thanks again for the support.
CougarXR7
Sultan of Swing
I removed the light bulbs and fired it up; all tubes seem to be cookin'. I guess the ambient light earlier today masked the dim tubes. One of 'em had a eerie blue glow as soon as I juiced it up. Seems ominous to me...
You got it.
Thanks again for the advice!
You got it.
Thanks again for the advice!
cademan
Lunatic Member
Those white American capacitors with the black stripe on one end, gotta go! Let me guess, the tube with the blue glow is one (or both) of the 6V6 tubes. This is normal! If the amp is in good working condition, you should see the blue glow pulse to the music. Its too cool!
This is the most recent find, but there are other threads on this phenomenon:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=305558
This is the most recent find, but there are other threads on this phenomenon:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=305558
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MouseMaster
Active Member
My aunt has one of those. They got it new. I don't think it works anymore, but the last time I saw it a few years back it was in fine physical condition.
CougarXR7
Sultan of Swing
UPDATE:
(Late '50s Motorola Hi-Fi mono turntable)
Following the advice I acquired here, I spent some time at a local radio shop today. The proprietor had, of all things, a working table-top tube tester. Not only did he test all of the tubes from my chassis, but he bench-tested the rig to discover good pots (I was convinced one was bad) and one faulty segment in the power filter.
I walked out of there with replacement caps, a good tube and a good power filter. Due to a cheapo soldering iron, I was only capable of replacing all of the caps and the tube - I wasn't able to get the power filter swapped out.
I couldn't help but to hook it all back up and throw on an Allman Brothers album. Wow, man... this thing is dangerously loud. I had no idea how strong a 50+ year old Jensen woofer could be. I didn't push it over the edge, though.
This old turntable is an outstanding example of how one can feel music and not just hear it. Very cool, indeed.
Now, on to the technical question: what does the power filter do, and why does my Hi-Fi sound great even though the power filter is said to have a bad section?
Thanks again.
(Late '50s Motorola Hi-Fi mono turntable)
Following the advice I acquired here, I spent some time at a local radio shop today. The proprietor had, of all things, a working table-top tube tester. Not only did he test all of the tubes from my chassis, but he bench-tested the rig to discover good pots (I was convinced one was bad) and one faulty segment in the power filter.
I walked out of there with replacement caps, a good tube and a good power filter. Due to a cheapo soldering iron, I was only capable of replacing all of the caps and the tube - I wasn't able to get the power filter swapped out.
I couldn't help but to hook it all back up and throw on an Allman Brothers album. Wow, man... this thing is dangerously loud. I had no idea how strong a 50+ year old Jensen woofer could be. I didn't push it over the edge, though.
This old turntable is an outstanding example of how one can feel music and not just hear it. Very cool, indeed.
Now, on to the technical question: what does the power filter do, and why does my Hi-Fi sound great even though the power filter is said to have a bad section?
Thanks again.
cademan
Lunatic Member
The power filter capacitor is the silver round looking thing that is mounted on top of the chassis, and is called a can filter capacitor. These usually have multi-sections meaning more than one capacitor in one can. If its a four section can capacitor, one section was bad, and the other three sections are good.
These can capacitors can also be replaced by single, individual capacitors. The power filter capacitors main job is to filter out any AC current, and make good DC in association with diodes, rectifiers, and choke coils! Lots to learn! :thmbsp: