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Magnificent Magnavox Concert Grand tube amp

Wigwam Jones

Wigwam Jones

Caesar non supra grammati
Not mine, no interest, etc. Seems like a good price if it's as rare as the seller says, though. Interesting comments on the listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-tube...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4ab13c4ea2
For auction is an original stereo amplifier, AM/FM tuner pre-amp and clock from a 1958 Magnificent Magnavox stereo console. The Magnificent models were the top of the line Magnavox hi fi in the 1950's.

Everything is in excellent original condition and all came from a one-owner console that was working perfectly when I removed the components. The stereo power amplifier uses 6V6's and sounds fantastic. The 11 tubes in the amp are all original US made and sound fine. There are conventional stereo RCA input jacks so this amp could be used with any stereo pre-amp. Please note that I will ship only the power amp if that's all the winning bidder wants.
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WOW!!! $200 for the amp and pre-amp. I have a 1950-ish Magnificent Magnavox console myself and it works and sounds very good and I can hook in a CD player for instance to the external RCA jacks and it works really well. Didn't know the components were worth this much.
 
When that seller first post that set it was 199.00 buy it now and when i went back to that page he had changed to open auction.:scratch2:
 
Wigwam Jones said:
... Interesting comments on the listing...
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Thanks for the heads up on the comments.
for the record:
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Q: Congratulations, it looks like you destroyed the hardest to find & most coveted by collectors console that Maganavox EVER made, "The Concert Grand" ... I know half a dozen guys that would have paid 800 to 1200 for a Concert Grand if it were in the mint condition that you describe. Why didn't you just post it as a whole unit here or even on your local Craigslist? These are so incredibly hard to come by these days in any condition let a lone excellent condition like you claim. What a sad loss for those of us that love & hunt everywhere for these beautiful old works of sonic art. Well at least you can be glad in the knowledge that you are the newest recipient of the Moronic Idiots Award for the careless destruction of vintage electronics. Hey, if I find any real nice MacIntosh amps I'll be sure to send them your way so you can quickly cannibalize them & sell the tubes, capacitors & chassis all separately of course.... geez man wize up! :O( Nov-29-11

A: Thanks for your message. I'm sure your thoughts on this are very heartfelt. It is a fantastic piece of gear and it was a shame to break one up. I've been selling vintage audio on eBay since 98 and the market for stereo consoles has gone from marginal to almost non-existent. While I'm sure you know half a dozen guys who want a Console Grand, when it actually comes time to forking out the money for one and, God forbid, for shipping, they are nowhere to be found. And that's not based on just a feeling I have about the market. I've tried to sell many other stellar vintage consoles - the best classic Pilots and Fishers - and they either didn't sell or went for a heartbreakingly low price. In fact, last year I listed a similar, in ways better, Magnavox Concert Grand two or three times on eBay, starting at a bargain price of $500. It garnered no interest apart from the usual bunch of guys who offered to pay 1980's Ham Fest prices if it didn't sell. And I'm an easy drive for 15-20 million people who could come pick it up. The monetary value of anything isn't what someone says it's worth; it's what someone is willing to pay for it. Should consoles be worth more? The market definitively says that cabinetry actually lowers the value of this equipment. And until that changes, no seller is going to sell at prices which, effectively, amount to a subsidy of your hobby. Oh, thanks for the Moronic Idiots Award. I know that with your continued support we are going to the nationals. Cheers
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313guy said:
Thanks for the heads up on the comments.
for the record:
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Yeah, that's what I saw also. I thought the seller was very level-headed and polite actually, given the abuse he was getting. And something else I've noticed; I read the posts on AK about cannibalizing consoles and how bad it is. But I've posted several D&S sales of consoles with nice amps in them. Not one of them has sold as a result - most haven't even gotten a reply. Seems everyone thinks you should not break up a console; but no one wants to buy one.

:scratch2:

I've passed on a couple consoles because I only wanted the amp inside; and it bugged me that I'd be destroying something lovely. But no one else bought it either. So the purpose of my holding back was...what, exactly? No I suppose they're in the landfill with the amps inside. Yay, big win.


Oh, and for the record; I've had the EXACT same argument with some of my photographer friends. I had a huge photographic enlarger in my garage, and I could not sell it. People told me how valuable and rare it was, and it would be a horrible thing for it to be thrown out. If I was not going to use it lovingly as it should be used, why, thousands of proper photographers would happily take it off my hands. I challenged them to come up with even one; I'd even drive up to 250 miles to bring it to them, free! I repeated my offer for several months, only got one nibble, and that fellow kept making appointments and breaking them and eventually stopped responding to my emails. Yes, it's beautiful machinery. Yes, it's a classic. Yes, it deserves to be preserved. And yes, it's in a bloody landfill now, because not one of the whiners and moaners could be arsed to come get it or even to let me bring it to them. They're all full of advice until you ask if THEY will take it off your hands, then they're all quiet. Honestly guys, the proof is in the pudding. Nobody wants these old consoles. Get over it. Or buy them yourselves; which you will NOT do.

I'm thinking of changing my opinion on the cabinets. Lovely, but if no one wants them....well....
 
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In some ways, it's actually kind of sad that other "older furniture" can easily be sold because people want them and use them. I have 2 fully operational consoles right now - a Zenith which I use as a shelving unit for my more modern audio gear and a Magnificent Magnavox that we use as a "table" behind our family room couch. My plan is to eventually convert the Maggie console and install modern equipment inside which means probably gutting the amp, pre-amp and tuner and possibly speakers. I love the look of the cabinet though and want to use it as a real piece of furniture. Photo here:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=5134271&postcount=14
 
greenmark59 said:
In some ways, it's actually kind of sad that other "older furniture" can easily be sold because people want them and use them. I have 2 fully operational consoles right now - a Zenith which I use as a shelving unit for my more modern audio gear and a Magnificent Magnavox that we use as a "table" behind our family room couch. My plan is to eventually convert the Maggie console and install modern equipment inside which means probably gutting the amp, pre-amp and tuner and possibly speakers. I love the look of the cabinet though and want to use it as a real piece of furniture.
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I absolutely agree with you and I love the look of the older consoles; I'm old enough, I grew up with 'em. Everybody had one in the day, and they were available at every price point from low to high. I want one; but here's the rub; the ones I see in the best shape are not the style I want (I want mid-century modern, not Early American). So I pass those by, even though I lust after the amps inside, because I sincerely appreciate the quality of the cabinet and I want someone to have them who *does* want that style. But I suspect my thoughts are idiotic; most likely they're just being gutted anyway by someone else; or going unsold. Why else do people keep finding consoles by curbs? Sometimes you can't even get rid of them on CL.

I know it infuriates people who love them and think they should be preserved; hey, who doesn't think they are terrific? It's just that there is such a huge disparity between what people THINK should happen and what people actually want.

FYI: I'm glad you rescued that beauty!
 
Wigwam Jones said:
the ones I see in the best shape are not the style I want (I want mid-century modern, not Early American).
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Can you send some examples because I come across consoles at least one per month and I'd be willing to store something for you if you liked it.

I just threw the one below into the garbage after I gutted the very nice amp and preamp.

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Everyone loves consoles, and thinks someone else should absolutely pay top dollar for them and make room for them in their house.
 
greenmark59 said:
Can you send some examples because I come across consoles at least one per month and I'd be willing to store something for you if you liked it.

I just threw the one below into the garbage after I gutted the very nice amp and preamp.

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Yeah, that's exactly the kind I like! I am not in mourning now :no: because I don't blame you at all all :D for your senseless destruction :nono: of a classic piece of Americana. :thumbsdn:

Just kidding! :banana:

If you should happen to come across one like that again...I might could be persuaded to make a road trip if you'd be willing to store it for me. That's a mighty kind offer too, so thanks!

I will say though; I have to stop at one console. My wife is wonderful. I want to keep it that way.
 
Wigwam Jones said:
Yeah, that's exactly the kind I like! I am not in mourning now :no: because I don't blame you at all all :D for your senseless destruction :nono: of a classic piece of Americana. :thumbsdn:

Just kidding! :banana:

If you should happen to come across one like that again...I might could be persuaded to make a road trip if you'd be willing to store it for me. That's a mighty kind offer too, so thanks!

I will say though; I have to stop at one console. My wife is wonderful. I want to keep it that way.
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I'll stay in touch and I could meet you half way if you decided to "take it out of storage" (that's if we can find an acceptable one).
 
There are a few consoles that deserve to be saved en toto if possible. Both Herman Miller and Paul McCobb came out with high design models in the late 50's to early 60's, with McCobb inking designs for Columbia/Bell & Howell.

As with most folks, there is a certain fiscal leash that must be observed, but a console worth saving is worth driving a couple states to save it. As the collection grows, there is an inverse relationship with the time/money/effort needing to be invested to add another item.
 
Just ask someone who's been collecting them if, after restoration, there's any interest from other buyers.
Ahem . . . I suspect you know the answer already.
Interesting thread. I've yet to find "THE" console that will pass WAF and could stay in the house. It would have to be within driving distance.
 
sheltie dave said:
There are a few consoles that deserve to be saved en toto if possible. Both Herman Miller and Paul McCobb came out with high design models in the late 50's to early 60's, with McCobb inking designs for Columbia/Bell & Howell.

As with most folks, there is a certain fiscal leash that must be observed, but a console worth saving is worth driving a couple states to save it. As the collection grows, there is an inverse relationship with the time/money/effort needing to be invested to add another item.
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I agree. With finite resources you really have to pick and choose what to get excited about. Console juggling is not for the faint of heart. Given the vast numbers of unwanted consoles out there it is very easy to become the console equivalent of a crazy cat lady.

What seems to be evolving here in the Mid Atlantic is a loose cooperative of primarily Fisher console preservationists. But all of us are pretty much maxed out as far as space goes so our long-term effectiveness is in doubt. It would be great if we were setting a trend but I'm not holding my breath. Wigwam's observations are pretty much spot-on from where I sit (surrounded by consoles) and I don't anticipate any earthshaking changes in the future.

The upside of all this is that it's great to be a console collector. The economic equation certainly works in our favor with the biggest expenditures being in gas, Aleve, Howard's Restor-A-Finish and flowers for the wife.
 
Not from a Concert Grand

This unit is not from the concert grand but one called the imperial.This was a step down from the concert grand. the concert grand from 59-61 used 2 mono biamps,the one in the picture is called amp-182 it is a stereo biamped unit. just not near the power of the concert grand.
 
Interesting thread. I always look at the console listings on my local CL. As Bill said, many of us grew up with them. Magnavox especially interests me because they were made about an hour from here in Ft. Wayne. I don't have much money or room though and it would take a combination of price and style to make me jump. I see a lot of the French Provincial and Early American cabinets that just don't do it for me.
 
Kudos to that seller for his thoughtful response. I happen to agree with him 100%.

Talk is cheap and stuff is worth what someone will pay for it. If people don't like someone gutting out a console or parting a speaker, I suggest they shut their mouths, open their wallets, and pay the man so he doesn't gut it.
 
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