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Early 60's Fisher Futura Console at Estate Sale

Gary Mettus

Gary Mettus

Member
No affiliation.

Came across this console stereo at an estate sale in Mesa, AZ today. It is in perfect shape (except for a lot of dust) and I would imagine it is a one owner item. I was told it is not working and I didn't play around with it to try to diagnose what it could be. I'm definitely not a tube guy. The turntable is a really interesting looking Garrard changer.

They are asking $250 today and it will be $125 tomorrow. Any ideas what it is really worth? It would be a shame to see it end up in the dumpster after nearly 60 years and basically being well taken care of.

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that’s sweet. 7591 outputs makes it a 660a or 680a amp, well worth $125 if just for the tubes. and those look like teles in the tuner/preamp, also valuable. i’d pick it up in a hot minute if it were close to me.
 
That tube amp is a winner for sure. Use a variac to power it up. If you decide to get it refurbished, I recommend AK advertiser Audio Doctor in Phoenix. The turntable could have any number of mechanical issues after 60 years, but that does not mean the electronics are bad.
 
EastPoint said:
Yeah, that parts out for an easy $500-750.
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I think you are spot on with the pricing. I saw an ad for $800 for just the amp. I think this is high but leaves a lot of wiggle room.

S***! I'd really love to play around with this thing but my wife will kill me if I bring it home. :rflmao: I already gave a vintage system I put together and rehabbed for fun as a house warming gift to my neighbor (never have I given a gift that was more appreciated). I've been googling and I'm pretty sure it is a 1963 Futura IV with the 680-A amp @ 30wpc and the Garrard A turntable.

My wife and I have been going to estate sales for years and at this point we are very selective in what we buy (I refuse to become my father, a hoarder) and my motto is if it is still there it is meant to be and if it isn't so be it.
 
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OMG! No wonder the Japanese took over the audio market in the 70's, for what this thing sold for in 1963 and running that through an inflation calculator it would be $6,800 in today's dollars!
 
Dang! It was still there so I was forced to buy it for $125. More importantly I found a space in the house where I can put it and I don't think my wife will mind. I'm not telling her until she notices it.

Now, who is going to walk me through refurbishing it? :rflmao: I found online the service manual for it with the parts list and schematics.

I'm really curious about the speakers after seeing a picture of one that someone had opened up. Three way with 12", 5", 3.5", all ALNICO, very simple crossovers and what appears to be a port tube. I didn't think bass reflex speakers came into being until the late 70's. Would this have been someone's homemade attempt to increase base response only on the one I saw pictured?
 
I had a hunch it was gonna be there today.

Not near as many folks want to lug a monster console home or have the room
for that matter.

That is a great price for the hardware.

Many folks yank the amp and preamp out and turn em into "home made" separates.
Yeah it flies in the face of console preservationists. But again, not everyone has the
room.

Again great find.
 
bring your story and your questions to the fisher forum. another like expenditure on caps and other electronic bits, plus a new stylus or cartridge, and maybe a tube or two...that puppy will sing rightly again!

congrats, that is a beauty. if your wife doesn’t like it now, ask her to reserve judgement until it’s redone, pour her a glass of wine, candlelight the room, and have her close her eyes while you play her favorite song through the system. she will want to keep it!
 
Gary Mettus said:
who is going to walk me through refurbishing it?
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Congrats! and that is a one solid $125 expenditure, well worth it.

Be sure to stop by the dedicated "Fisher" forum here at AK, a lot of very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Fisher afficianado's who will be able to assist with refurb questions

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/fisher.172/

All that dust and original tag is a good sign. A buddy of mine who is an old school audio tech says this is the way he likes to see them because it indicates to him that no one has been in there messing around and that more then likely everything is stock original.

The tubes definitely are.
 
PPstereo said:
I had a hunch it was gonna be there today.

Not near as many folks want to lug a monster console home or have the room
for that matter.

That is a great price for the hardware.

Many folks yank the amp and preamp out and turn em into "home made" separates.
Yeah it flies in the face of console preservationists. But again, not everyone has the
room.

Again great find.
Click to expand...
Someone was trying to haggle them down from the $125 but they aren't complete noobs so I just ponied up. I like the whole package as it is and since I found room I'll definitely keep it as is. This thing is really heavy and actually a nice piece of furniture. I prefer mid-century modern myself but I would never have gotten it for $125. I saw a completed sales for the modern style cabinetry without the electronics for $400.
 
Dswankey said:
Congrats! and that is a one solid $125 expenditure, well worth it.

Be sure to stop by the dedicated "Fisher" forum here at AK, a lot of very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Fisher afficianado's who will be able to assist with refurb questions

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/fisher.172/

All that dust and original tag is a good sign. A buddy of mine who is an old school audio tech says this is the way he likes to see them because it indicates to him that no one has been in there messing around and that more then likely everything is stock original.

The tubes definitely are.
Click to expand...
I agree about the dust, a true barn find. I'm into cars as well and I agree with Jay Leno, give me a reasonably clean unrestored original any day. I got my Dad's 1990 GMC K1500 with 40k miles but it took me a year to fix each item as they broke because it hadn't even been started in last 4 years. I've left all the nicks, dings, scratches etc. as that patina adds character and reminds me of my Dad daily.
 
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