So what's the latest on this console, Carter?
The OTHER Commander's Console
- Thread starter TheRed1
- Start date
Markmayne
Member
I went over to pick up the cabinet and speakers today and had the good fortune of running into the Commander's son. He told me all about his dad and the console which, indeed, was built in Yokokama, Japan in 1965. Apparently the Commander was very protective of his Hi-Fi and attempted to enforce a 'hands-off' policy. However, according to his son, when the parents weren't home . . . "That thing would crank!" Although somehow the Commander always seemed to know when someone had been messing with his Hi-Fi.
The son was also able to clear up the mystery of the Wharfedale that I assumed occupied the lower half of the speaker cabinets. It turns out there were originally a pair of Wharfedale W-70 remote speakers in the basement that the Commander's son still had. The lower half of the Yokohama speaker cabinets is record storage which can be accessed by opening the front of the speaker - a very cool design.
The Commander's son was also able to find the Yokohama Hi-Fi Cabinet Maker Company's drawings for the cabinet - see below. Note that the missing tuner was apparently a Fisher TFM-300 which, of course, was the intended companion for the TX-300. Also of interest is the depiction of the Wharfedale W-70s and that the turntable was originally meant to be a Garrard LAB 80. For comparison purposes I have also included the Yokohama drawings for the original Commander's Console.
Amazingly, I was able to cram all 10' 1" of console into my wife's RAV4 which she, begrudgingly, let me use to retrieve another one. I have found a place to store it temporarily - hopefully I can find it a good (large) home.
The Commander's Console II (1965)
The Commander's Console (1963)
Markmayne
Member
I know I am coming in late to this conversation. However I just picked up a set of stereo cabinets with a similar story. Beautiful walnut cabinets that were order by a naval commander from the Yokohama Stereo Cabinet Company. Any help you can provide would be great as it is missing the RTR and receiver. Would love to reunite the original equipment with the cabinet.
Markwayne; I ended up with "The Other Commanders Console" in 2020. The TX-300 was non operational as was the Tube Akai RTR. The Dual was cleaned and put back in service. It currently has a Fisher X-101-b, FM-100b, Dual 1019, and an Akai GX-3700 RTR, pushing Klh 17's.
The choices are limitless. If the original owner has passed, and the decedents memory is fuzzy or non existant, there really is no way to know what was in it. In that case, any of the popular RTR's from TEAC, AKAI, Roberts, Sony; or a receiver, or separate tuner and integrated amp (tube or S.S.) from the era would be appropriate. Of the 4-5 I've seen over the years 1 had a Sansui receiver. The rest either Fisher Tube receivers or Tuner / integrated amp combo's. Mine .
If you take a couple pics of the front / top (depends on what opens), and dimensions of the openings, there may be a chance( however slight) of narrowing down the choices. Post them in your reply.
The choices are limitless. If the original owner has passed, and the decedents memory is fuzzy or non existant, there really is no way to know what was in it. In that case, any of the popular RTR's from TEAC, AKAI, Roberts, Sony; or a receiver, or separate tuner and integrated amp (tube or S.S.) from the era would be appropriate. Of the 4-5 I've seen over the years 1 had a Sansui receiver. The rest either Fisher Tube receivers or Tuner / integrated amp combo's. Mine .
If you take a couple pics of the front / top (depends on what opens), and dimensions of the openings, there may be a chance( however slight) of narrowing down the choices. Post them in your reply.
Last edited:
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
@Markmayne
Some links here if you care to learn more about the cabinetry as for what was in their originally what Larry said^
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/custom-fisher.991487/#post-15501148
Some links here if you care to learn more about the cabinetry as for what was in their originally what Larry said^
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/custom-fisher.991487/#post-15501148
Markmayne
Member
Here are a couple of pics. I don’t think I will have a chance to replace what was original. I am sure the commander would want anyone who ended up with it to enjoy it so I have put in my everyday gear.
I must say though I had hooked up the speakers and it wasn’t the sound for my ears. I have a few shots of the inside of the speakers as I updated the binding posts.
Lastly I have also discovered to my dismay that I do not have room for the side cabinets either. If you know anyone who would be interested I would be willing to sell them. If that individual would be interested in all 5 pieces I would also consider that. I hate to break-up such a set especially of its quality and history.
LimitedLimited
I must say though I had hooked up the speakers and it wasn’t the sound for my ears. I have a few shots of the inside of the speakers as I updated the binding posts.
Lastly I have also discovered to my dismay that I do not have room for the side cabinets either. If you know anyone who would be interested I would be willing to sell them. If that individual would be interested in all 5 pieces I would also consider that. I hate to break-up such a set especially of its quality and history.
LimitedLimited
Markmayne
Member
Couple more pics here. Also there was a Garrard Lab 80. I removed it but still have it boxed up with all the accessories to include new inbox head, stylus, and cart. I guess it’s always good to have back ups. The Commander was prepared.
