Console identification needed

[RS Steve]

This little console looks like it's in pretty nice condition, but I do not know what make it is. Hoping a console guru can recognize it.

 

[GordonW]

Something about that turntable, makes me think Zenith...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[gadget73]

don't specifically recognize it but I'd guess late 40s, maybe very early 50s. . Not sure what make of changer that is, but those knife styles are often 78-only.

 

[infullview]

My guess is 1937/38/39 Philco - you can see the needle cups for new/expired needles for the 78 RPM record changer.

Edit: Style is Art Decco which supports the late 30's possibly early 40;s hypothesis

 

[RS Steve]

I'm going to go check it out tomorrow, here is something the lady found inside. Looks to be the manual and turntable instructions.

 

[JohnT123]

Question answered.

 

[JohnT123]

Should sound good with the push-pull 6K6 tubes driving it. Nice find, and very nice looking console.

 

[RS Steve]

I understand the cabinet maker is called Freshman Masterpiece, and it could hold a few different model radios, amps, and turntables. It is in working condition so I thought I'd check it out.

 

[gadget73]

Freshman was actually a radio maker at one point. I have a 1926 Masterpiece 3 dial radio. I'm not sure its a masterpiece, but the spider web coils it has inside sure are cool looking.

 

[RS Steve]

Freshman was actually a radio maker at one point. I have a 1926 Masterpiece 3 dial radio. I'm not sure its a masterpiece, but the spider web coils it has inside sure are cool looking.

I really don't have a good place for this, but I said that about my 1936 Silvertone tombstone radio, it gets used Christmas day playing seasonal songs along with some sporting events during the year. I like the looks of this little Freshman console, should be a fun restoration since it is in working condition.

 

[JHS2RT]

That turntable is definitely a Webster-Chicago. I had a Crosley console that had the exact turntable.

 

[infullview]

Freshman was actually a radio maker at one point. I have a 1926 Masterpiece 3 dial radio. I'm not sure its a masterpiece, but the spider web coils it has inside sure are cool looking.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't see any mention of Crosley buying Freshman - I wonder if this was just a division left over after they stopped making battery radios. BTW check the primaries on your Freshman to see if they are OK. They should read around 1100 Ohms. If they are open I can explain how these can easily be repaired, but you'll need to source some 44 or 42 gauge magnet wire.

 

[gadget73]

Radio works, its just a 3 dial set from the mid 1920s with an internal horn speaker. It probably didn't sound all that wonderful 90 years ago.

 

[RS Steve]

Radio works, its just a 3 dial set from the mid 1920s with an internal horn speaker. It probably didn't sound all that wonderful 90 years ago.

Cabinet looks to be in great shape and doesn't need much done to be real nice. Maybe I can transplant some quality components into it. I have a nice Bogen DB 20 just sitting here.

 

[infullview]

Cabinet looks to be in great shape and doesn't need much done to be real nice. Maybe I can transplant some quality components into it. I have a nice Bogen DB 20 just sitting here.

That amp with the 6K6 tubes is probably capable of about 15 watts - not that far off from what you propose to replace it with. Before you make modifications, you may want to consider that it will loose collector value. There were not a lot of radio/phono combos made during this era so I would think twice before turning it into a liquor cabinet.

 

[infullview]

Radio works, its just a 3 dial set from the mid 1920s with an internal horn speaker. It probably didn't sound all that wonderful 90 years ago.

No, they don't sound good at all unless all you can hear is from 300 to about 3000 - like listening to music on an old telephone.

 

[gadget73]

yes, thats about what it sounds like.

WRT the OP's console, I'd also be inclined to leave it be, except I'd probably update that changer so it would play LPs.

 

[RS Steve]

yes, thats about what it sounds like.

WRT the OP's console, I'd also be inclined to leave it be, except I'd probably update that changer so it would play LPs.

I think I will pass, must resist! It would have to go as deep as 45hz to get my attention!

 

[gadget73]

This console won't sound like a crappy telephone, 1920s radios sound that way. by the 30s things sounded fairly reasonable. Probably won't do earthquake bass or dog whistle treble but they're plenty capable of decent sound. Real speakers became a thing by the mid 30s, prior to that there was very little cone movement and wimpy magnets to go with the feeble power output. Once field coil speakers with a strong magnetic field and cone designs that allowed some excursion were common it got a lot better.

 

[RS Steve]

This console won't sound like a crappy telephone, 1920s radios sound that way. by the 30s things sounded fairly reasonable. Probably won't do earthquake bass or dog whistle treble but they're plenty capable of decent sound. Real speakers became a thing by the mid 30s, prior to that there was very little cone movement and wimpy magnets to go with the feeble power output. Once field coil speakers with a strong magnetic field and cone designs that allowed some excursion were common it got a lot better.

I have acquired others because they looked cool, need to learn those lessons in order to keep my wife smiling.