Hello Howard,
thank you for your kind and detailed post on the different variations of the Pilot 602's. I downloaded and printed the Sam's Photofact Folder (set 525, Folder 11, dated 04/1961) for my tech in the recent rebuild.. However the pic on the Sam's front cover shows 3 front panel a/b switches (not 4)
The bottom plate black inked silk screening on my unit SN#26869 only states "Model 602" with no other suffix. As you have kindly stated my unit is "second variation of the 602 (no suffix) ---- four slide switches on the faceplate." Which I believe is the variation as the 4/61 dated Sam's SKU but not the front photo. This units PS and OPT's are the factory originals as ink stamped with manufacturing dates 29th&30week 1960 (start of 3Q 1960) so it is possible my unit was assembled into the Pilot console late 4Q 1960 and possible sold into the Holiday season 1960 or sold very early 1961. I also downloaded the 1960-61 and 1962 Pilot Maarketing catalogs from HFE.
Do you happen to have a User/Operations/Setup Guide for this version of the Pilot 602 you can share.? not sure if they made different versions of the Oper guides for either and or all of the 602 models or revised the docs for 3 switch to 4 switches. best jim
Hello Jim ----
You wrote: I downloaded and printed the Sam's Photofact Folder (set 525, Folder 11, dated 04/1961) for my tech in the recent rebuild. However the pic on the Sam's front cover shows 3 front panel a/b switches (not 4).
Jim, I do not have the Sams; however, the difference in image is easily explained. The Sams would have been for the first variation of the 602 (no suffix).
THE FIRST VERSION OF THE MODEL 602
The first version of the Model 602 (no suffix) had three slide switches located at the lower left of the faceplate, having the following labels: Automatic Shutoff, Loudness Contour, AM Phase.
Left Switch: Automatic Shutoff (Out/In)
Pilot used Garrard record changers in its consoles. In 1960, Garrard and Pilot worked together whereby Garrard added a specially wired connector to two of its regular-line record changers, which were then rebranded as Pilot Models RC-1 and RC-2 (and later an RC-3). These were installed in Pilot’s consoles or available separately (of interest for those purchasing a Pilot stereo receiver). The rear chassis of the Pilot receiver included dedicated input connectors for an RC-1 or RC-2 record changer. When one of these record changers was plugged into the receiver’s rear-chassis input and the front panel Automatic Shutoff switch was engaged, the record changer and receiver would shut off after the final phonograph record had completed play. (If a different record changer were used, the auto shutoff feature was not applicable.)
Middle Switch: Loudness Contour (Out/In)
Right Switch: AM Phase (+ / –)
This was used to switch the + or – phase of AM reception, if needed, to match FM reception when receiving “Dual Band FM/AM stereo”.
Note: Power to the receiver, i.e., off/on, was controlled by a combination Power/Volume knob — second knob from the left.
SECOND VARIATION — FOURTH SLIDE SWITCH: TAPE MONITOR
In what seems to have been unannounced (they just did it), a year or so into production Pilot made three changes to the features and controls on the Model 602 receiver. Most noticeable was the addition of a Tape Monitor switch positioned toward the right side of the faceplate. Another alteration to the original applied to the first switch on the left. Previously used to engage the Auto Shutoff function, this was changed to a dual-function slide switch: Power (off/on) and to engage Auto Shutoff. In light of the change in function of the first slide switch, what had previously been the combination Power (off/on) and Volume control knob, became a Volume knob only.
In contrast to the known time of introduction of the first Model 602 receiver, we must look to surrounding facts and circumstances to estimate when it was that Pilot introduced this four slide switch (and later the five slide switch) version of the 602.
Around mid- to late 1961, manufacturers of Hi-Fi quality tape recorders introduced new machines having separate record and playback heads, where the record head was positioned just before the playback head. This arrangement allowed the audio laid down by the record head to be picked up immediately by the playback head. At the same time, manufacturers of amplifiers and receivers now included a “Tape Monitor” function switch on the front panel which, along with a recorder having separate record and playback heads, allowed the user to monitor and constantly check, in real time, what was being copied from FM radio or turntable without having to wait until the end of the recording session. Pilot was on the job. We may therefore reasonably assume that the version of the Model 602 having the Tape Monitor function — and four slide switches — was introduced about the middle of 1961.
As noted above, along with the addition of the Tape Monitoring capability, Pilot engineers made a separate two-fold change to the Model 602 receiver: The Power (off/on) function was removed from the (previous) combo Power/Volume control knob and incorporated into the first slide switch, which also controlled the Automatic Shutoff feature. We do not know specifically Pilot’s reasoning for this change, but having familiarity with vintage audio gear generally, we have observed the practical and equipment-service advantages in separating the power switch from the volume potentiometer.
This second version of the Model 602 (four slide switches) likely would not have been in production for more than a few months because the five slide switch version was already gestating.
THIRD VERSION — INTRODUCTION OF THE FIFTH SLIDE SWITCH: PHONO-RC/TT
A final variation on the Model 602 (no suffix) and its complement of slide switches came with the addition of a “Phono RC/TT” switch toward the lower right side of the faceplate, just to the left of the Tape Monitor switch.
The first two variations of the Model 602 receiver had one set of rear chassis phono inputs.
On the third variation of the 602, Pilot incorporated two sets of phono inputs: Record Changer and Turntable.
Both of these inputs were intended for magnetic phono cartridges, but the RC had a higher sensitivity specification for use with an inexpensive high-output cartridge, while TT input was better suited for a higher quality, standard 5mV cartridge (which, arguably, was much more likely to be used in conjunction with a quality Pilot 602 receiver). The TT could also be used for a tape head input.
We observe examples of the Model 602 having a Tape Monitor switch but no Phono-RC/TT switch; we do not observe models having a Phono-RC/TT switch but without the Tape Monitor switch. So the production sequence is clear. The original, three slide switch Model 602 was introduced in early 1960. The four slide switch/Tape Monitor version of the Model 602 was introduced around mid-1961. This leaves open the time of introduction of the Phono-RC/TT function and fifth slide switch. The approximate time may be deduced by working backwards from surrounding known events between mid-1961 to early 1962.
I hope the above is helpful, and interesting,
Howard
