Fisher 400 Serial Number Differences

[Malcolm MacK]

Hi all,
I came across a Fisher 400 with a serial number that is not completely legible. I can not make out the first digit. So my question is, what is the difference between build specs between the 10000, 20000, 30000 and 40000 series builds?

 

[grindfix]

There are two majorly different versions of this receiver, commonly called early and late serial-numbered units. I don't know the serial number break, but someone may answer better in the Fisher forum. Major differences are the number of tube stages between the receiver versions in the tuner section, and different primary impedance output transformers. Very different units, while they look identical from the face

 

[Dswankey]

..what is the difference between build specs between the 10000, 20000, 30000 and 40000 series builds?

A treasure trove of information in the link below for your researching purposes

Fisher Console Service Manuals and Owners Manuals

This page contains a list of vintage Fisher Console Service Manuals and Owners Manuals.

www.fisherconsoles.com

Scroll down to "List of Component Manuals" and click on the links for the different 400's

Let us know what you find out

 

[Malcolm MacK]

A treasure trove of information in the link below for your researching purposes

Fisher Console Service Manuals and Owners Manuals

This page contains a list of vintage Fisher Console Service Manuals and Owners Manuals.

www.fisherconsoles.com

Scroll down to "List of Component Manuals" and click on the links for the different 400's

Let us know what you find out

Thank you Dswankey and Grindfix! Looking down at the unit, the layout is the same throughout the series as noted by Grindfix. I'll look at what transformers and such exist now and compare with the service manuals suggested by Dswankey. The unit is a survivor with only one RCA tube that lives at V17. All others are Fisher. I don't see any other evidence of maintenance or mods. The High Filter and Loudness switches are non-functional, but I do have replacements from Digi-Key. I had to replace those on my KX-200 and is easy enough to do.

With that said, I have only just looked at the unit. It is new to me. It is very obvious (and upsetting) that it has been stored for many years in either a basement, garage or shed.
I'll test each tube on the Hickok 539C tube tester and carefully clean as needed with some doxit. I do have a variac to bring it up slowly when ready to do so. I'm in no rush.

The picture attached shows someone's registration card for their Fisher 400 (from the link provided by Dswankey). The serial number starts with a 7. The light surface corrosion obscures the first digit on mine but appears to start with a 7 as well. My unit would read 76919AM. How does this fit in with the 10000, 20000, 30000 and 40000 series of serial numbers?

 

[grindfix]

If your output transformers have "AX" at the end of the part number on the transformer bells - you have a late model unit

 

[Malcolm MacK]

Thank you grindfix! I'll let you know what I find!

 

[Dswankey]

.. My unit would read 76919AM. How does this fit in with the 10000, 20000, 30000 and 40000 series of serial numbers?

While I'm no authority of Fisher I'm going to guess yours would be from this era based on serial # "48001" and I'm assuming upward as opposed the previous ones for example where they were from X to Y

https://www.fisherconsoles.com/non%20console%20manuals/fisher%20400%20beg%2048001%20sm.pdf

Also there are some noticeable differences as seen in the pics attached and their respective links


1962 Manual

https://www.fisherconsoles.com/non%20console%20manuals/fisher%20400%20om%201962.pdf

1964 Manual

https://www.fisherconsoles.com/non%20console%20manuals/fisher%20400%20om.pdf

 

[grindfix]

I don’t remember where but I recall seeing someone reported having late model tuner front end and early model output transformers in the receiver. I have not saved that information. Someone in the Fisher forum may know