circa 1968 Fisher Console, worth the time?

[little-al]

We have someone local listing what appears to be P-293 Fisher console for about $40.

The cabinet is a bit dinged up, although doesn't look too bad in the photos, and everything is intact. The receiver and TT look to be in very good shape cosmetically. They say it recently used to work, but now the TT doesn't and not sure about the radio.

I have been really holding out for a tubed Fisher console, but this is local and inexpensive, but of course is all solid-state.

The Fisher Console website and our sticky posts for models doesn't seem to go up to 1968, so not a lot of info there.

Anyone have any information or thoughts on this model? I suspect it would need some rehab, so just wondering if the quality of the Fisher consoles by the late 1960s was really worth the time, expense and effort to refurbish.

Thanks,
Al

 

[little-al]

Maybe a 67 instead?

Well I was looking through a scan of the 1968 brochure and didn't see this model in there. So maybe it is a 1967?

But in the following thread, the model numbers on the schematic in the attached photo (P-293 or D-293) seem to match up to being a 1968 Diplomat or Philharmonic *shrug*

PHILHARMONIC P-293 (W, EA, T) CHASSIS: 22-R (50 WATTS) $429.95
DIPLOMAT D-393 (W, PF, PI, EA, MD, IP) CHASSIS: 22-R (50 WATTS) $549.95

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=388885


What do you think? Both use the 22-R receiver. Any opinions on the quality of the 22-R?

 

[TheRed1]

It's a '68 Diplomat in the Early American cabinet. MSRP: $549.95. That one was a bit tricky. At first I assumed it was a Philharmonic since the Diplomats were generally more horizontal "lowboy" cabinets. It was also confusing when Fisher put two models on one ID sheet.

As to your question, I would advise caution. Once you get your first Fisher console you are very likely to run across others. You will have to get those, too. Eventually you will end up with a house full. Make sure you REALLY like the first one.

EDIT: I think much of the confusion regarding the '68 model year stems from the erroneous method of dating Fisher's sales literature by the copyright dates. The '68 brochure scans you were looking at were almost certainly for the '69 model year. There was no single console catalog produced in '68 - just individual sheets for each model. The only reliably dated Fisher literature are the price lists which confirm the D-393 as a '68 model.

 

[little-al]

Thanks for the thorough research and identification!

I really appreciate the quick and accurate response.


So, are the late 60's Fisher SS consoles still high quality units, or were they heading downhill at that point? Was Fisher console gear still in the upper echelon of consumer equipment by the late 60s?

Also, are there any particular challenges with this era of SS Fisher components, such as unreliable transistors that are now unobtanium? I know that is the case with some early SS gear.

Sound quality?

Thanks,
Al