Fisher faceplates
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audmod01
Super Member
Bob;
Based on numbers alone, I would suspect the model 400, 500-C and 800-C would be the most common and therefore have the greatest demand for replacements. Next would probably fall to the X-10n X-20n integrated amplifier series and their dash-letter sequences. The 10n and 20n and their dash-letter sequence tuners were probably produced in lower numbers than the receivers and the integrated amplifiers. The 500-B and 800-B were one year models I believe. Ditto for the 600 and 800 models (which used brass faceplates).
I do not personally know of any Fisher faceplates that were engraved. I believe all of them were silk-screened with all required model ID and control labels. The same approach was used for labeling the chassis V numbers and tube types, rear connection functions etc. Many of the Fisher faceplates were either brass or by the time of the 500-B and 800-B models changed to extruded anodized aluminum. About the time of transition to transistorized and hybrid models came out Fisher began to use what appeared to be aluminum faceplates which may have been stamped to produce a framing effect around groups of controls or the dial. Those raised areas on the faceplate likely made silkscreening more difficult, but was probably still the method used in adding any nomenclature to the faceplates.
If I have mis-stated any of this I am sure other Fisher experts can add correction comments.
Joe
Based on numbers alone, I would suspect the model 400, 500-C and 800-C would be the most common and therefore have the greatest demand for replacements. Next would probably fall to the X-10n X-20n integrated amplifier series and their dash-letter sequences. The 10n and 20n and their dash-letter sequence tuners were probably produced in lower numbers than the receivers and the integrated amplifiers. The 500-B and 800-B were one year models I believe. Ditto for the 600 and 800 models (which used brass faceplates).
I do not personally know of any Fisher faceplates that were engraved. I believe all of them were silk-screened with all required model ID and control labels. The same approach was used for labeling the chassis V numbers and tube types, rear connection functions etc. Many of the Fisher faceplates were either brass or by the time of the 500-B and 800-B models changed to extruded anodized aluminum. About the time of transition to transistorized and hybrid models came out Fisher began to use what appeared to be aluminum faceplates which may have been stamped to produce a framing effect around groups of controls or the dial. Those raised areas on the faceplate likely made silkscreening more difficult, but was probably still the method used in adding any nomenclature to the faceplates.
If I have mis-stated any of this I am sure other Fisher experts can add correction comments.
Joe
dsndblm
Super Member
I've been searching for a faceplate for my X-101-B for almost 10 years. It seems the 500C, 400, to some extent the 500B faceplates are easier to find. As audmod01 said, the X-10x X-20x don't come up for sale often. I also haven't seen many decent TA-600, TA-800 faceplates either.
dsndblm: Ummmm....... u might be in luck. I'll have to check and see. Will let you know tonight or sometime tomorrow.
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Joe is mostly correct in his post. However I will point out that the TA-600 was a 2 year model where the TA-800 was a 1 year model. The 500-S superceded the TA-600 sometime in 1960 and ran 1 year and then was superceded by the 500B/800B.
All Faceplates made for Fisher until the 1961 model line (500b/800B time) were stamped brass with silk-screened lettering on them. Fisher then changed over to a heavier (thicker) aluminium extrustion with silk-screened lettering. With the Solid State transistion a new style "framed" faceplate came out which looks to be a stamped aluminium billet. None of the FISHER Faceplates to my knowledge were engraved by the factory. There might have been a small cottage industry to fabricate engraved faceplates but if there was it was very small and selective in their products plus didn't last too long. The stamping/silk-screening carried on thru the 70's into the Black plastic crap age in the early 80's.
Larry
All Faceplates made for Fisher until the 1961 model line (500b/800B time) were stamped brass with silk-screened lettering on them. Fisher then changed over to a heavier (thicker) aluminium extrustion with silk-screened lettering. With the Solid State transistion a new style "framed" faceplate came out which looks to be a stamped aluminium billet. None of the FISHER Faceplates to my knowledge were engraved by the factory. There might have been a small cottage industry to fabricate engraved faceplates but if there was it was very small and selective in their products plus didn't last too long. The stamping/silk-screening carried on thru the 70's into the Black plastic crap age in the early 80's.
Larry
rufleruf
Preserving the sound
dsndblm: I've got an extra X101B faceplate if notdigital doesn't find one
I'm pretty sure there are solid brass (202-R for example) and brass plating over steel. My X202 needs a faceplate refresh and is brass over steel - I actually polished through to the steel on one edge while experimenting. I think a service replating to brass and rescreening onto the brass faceplates would be a hit.
My 80-AZ has an engraved brass faceplate!
I'm pretty sure there are solid brass (202-R for example) and brass plating over steel. My X202 needs a faceplate refresh and is brass over steel - I actually polished through to the steel on one edge while experimenting. I think a service replating to brass and rescreening onto the brass faceplates would be a hit.
My 80-AZ has an engraved brass faceplate!
dsndblm
Super Member
notdigital,
A faceplate would be greatly appreciated. My X 101 B, IIRC, is an early s/n model, has no headphone jack, center channel switch that's located where later model headphone jack resides. I've never seen another amp configured as mine is, only literature.
Thanks!
dsndblm
Super Member
rufleruf,
A faceplate for my amp would be greatly appreciated! My X 101 B has no headphone jack. My amp has a center channel switch in the faceplate where other X 101 B's headphone jack resides. IIRC, my amp is an early s/n, later units were built with a headphone jack. I've never seen another amp like mine, only literature.
Thanks!
Sorry ds, found the face plate and it has a phone jack.
dsndblm
Super Member
Thanks for trying!
Guys, IIRC the Center channel switch was replaced in situ by the headphone jack and FISHER just renamed the hole in the faceplate. At least this was the end result of a discussion of another amp with the same situation.
dsndblm; Is your switch cover ellipsed or circular? If it's circular measure on the sub panel from the bottom & top edge to the center of the hole, and then from both sides to center of the hole. Also measure the centers of the pots on both levels. This will give you centering measurements for the sub-panel and the faceplate. If the sub-panel for the headphone jack measurements are the same as for the center speaker switch and the switch cover is slightly smaller than the diameter of the headphone jack hole, I see no problem with it fitting. All you'd need to do is re-letter it.
LArry,
dsndblm; Is your switch cover ellipsed or circular? If it's circular measure on the sub panel from the bottom & top edge to the center of the hole, and then from both sides to center of the hole. Also measure the centers of the pots on both levels. This will give you centering measurements for the sub-panel and the faceplate. If the sub-panel for the headphone jack measurements are the same as for the center speaker switch and the switch cover is slightly smaller than the diameter of the headphone jack hole, I see no problem with it fitting. All you'd need to do is re-letter it.
LArry,
dsndblm
Super Member
Larry,
You have a X 101 B, right? Here's a pic of my faceplate. What do you think about the faceplate swap?
Thanks
The original 400C and 400CA preamps back in 1957 or 58 had flat anodized aluminum faceplates. The 400CX went to the same stamped brass as the rest of the line, then the CX2 went back to aluminum.
DAMN! I was going on the presumption of it being a push switch like the 400c. The hole is in the same location, but the shapes are different.
Some of the mono era gear had what appears to be cast or machined aluminum faceplates, too. The mono 500 receiver is one example I'm thinking of.
Fisher couldn't seem to get their cosmetics on the same page until the 1961 overhaul of the whole product line.
Fisher couldn't seem to get their cosmetics on the same page until the 1961 overhaul of the whole product line.
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