celt_rock
Member
I picked up a 1962 Fisher Custom Electra V tube console equipped with a Garrard Model 210 turntable, a 460 amp, and an MPX-70.
Both festoon bulbs were out under the faceplate so I removed the plate to find one festoon was actually missing and the other had a
busted filament inside.
After searching for days online I found plenty of Fisher festoon bulb replacements, but none were for my console. Most of those measure
6mm X 43mm whereas the bulbs for my console measure 5.7mm X 37mm.
So I took the one festoon I had and used pliers to gently remove the metal end caps. I then took the filament out of a 6.3v led bulb, straightened
the leads and soldered each end cap onto each lead. I popped the first light in place and it worked like a charm! Finally, after who knows how
many years, the faceplate glowed that lovely blue!
Without another festoon bulb to use as a donor, I broke the glass out of an F3AL 250V fuse, used a pin and hammer to make a small hole in the
caps and made another light for the bottom of the faceplate. This console may have its issues, but right now illumination isn't one of them!
Both festoon bulbs were out under the faceplate so I removed the plate to find one festoon was actually missing and the other had a
busted filament inside.
After searching for days online I found plenty of Fisher festoon bulb replacements, but none were for my console. Most of those measure
6mm X 43mm whereas the bulbs for my console measure 5.7mm X 37mm.
So I took the one festoon I had and used pliers to gently remove the metal end caps. I then took the filament out of a 6.3v led bulb, straightened
the leads and soldered each end cap onto each lead. I popped the first light in place and it worked like a charm! Finally, after who knows how
many years, the faceplate glowed that lovely blue!
Without another festoon bulb to use as a donor, I broke the glass out of an F3AL 250V fuse, used a pin and hammer to make a small hole in the
caps and made another light for the bottom of the faceplate. This console may have its issues, but right now illumination isn't one of them!
