VERY unusual console found

[vendo81]

Hey all. I told myself I wouldn't drag home any more consoles unless I found another Ampex or something unusual.
Well this one is made by Columbia, or probably for columbia. Has AM/FM/, an Eq, phono, reel to reel, 5 separate chassis and an oscilloscope! Also came with the 2 original separate speakers. Works but sounds like it is tired and could use a recap. The chassis have some nice iron.
I liked the cool cabinet and thought it would mabey look good redone to accept my McIntosh tube stuff. The cabinet really looks good in person and I can tell it is a high end cabinet.
Anyone heard of this beast?

 

[vendo81]

Here's a few more pics...

 

[spaceman]

Hey, that is one sweet looking console, congrats! :thmbsp: You mentioned the scope & iron, but it even has a clock.

 

[jaymanaa]

No way I could have went home without it either. That thing drips of TOTL quality.:yes:

 

[Cactus Bob]

That is too cool for words!! Congrats!

 

[vendo81]

Hey, that is one sweet looking console, congrats! :thmbsp: You mentioned the scope & iron, but it even has a clock.

Yea..clock is before the digital era. It can be programed to turn on or shut anything off, or to turn things on and record from the radio to the reel to reel.
Pretty cool for 1960.

 

[sheltie dave]

Vendo, that actually is a Bell and Howell console that has been rebadged as a Columbia. There are thee other folks here at AK who have similar ones.

Here is a photo on a previous find. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33711&d=1166108312

 

[vendo81]

Vendo, that actually is a Bell and Howell console that has been rebadged as a Columbia. There are thee other folks here at AK who have similar ones.

Here is a photo on a previous find. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33711&d=1166108312

Wow! Thank you. That is the same beast! :yes:

 

[vendo81]

Bet it says "Bell & Howell" under the columbia badge that is screwed on the front. :scratch2:

 

[markus]

Vendo, that actually is a Bell and Howell console that has been rebadged as a Columbia. There are thee other folks here at AK who have similar ones.

Here is a photo on a previous find. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33711&d=1166108312

exactly what I was thinking - never saw a columbia branded version of it though

that is SUPER rare . . . . VERY cool find !

WOW

 

[Joe Willis]

what does it have for a tube lineup in it? those look like great iron!

 

[vendo81]

exactly what I was thinking - never saw a columbia branded version of it though

that is SUPER rare . . . . VERY cool find !

WOW

Thanks for the note Markus..Yea.. the Columbia Masterworks badge really threw me off! :yes:

 

[gadget73]

Are those UTC transformers? They look awful nice whatever they are. I imagine that baby should make some serious sound with some fresh caps in it. I dig the 60s mod look too, and that clock is too cool.

 

[diamondsouled]

I would have a real hard time gutting that beauty. That is unless the wife said it or I had to go

Cheers

Lar

 

[clydeselsor]

That is really cool!

 

[pete1729]

No pics of the turntable? I'd be curious to see what those grey label "Masterwork" and "6 eye" records were meant to be played on. Any idea of the drivers in the speakers?

Totally cool!

 

[vendo81]

what does it have for a tube lineup in it? those look like great iron!

Haven't counted tubes yet as it's a tight fit and hard to see them all but I'm guessing it's over 20. Lots of 12AU7's and saw 12AX7's as well. Strange as it has 6L6GC's in one of the separate chassis and EL84's in another down below. Looks like the EL84's power the separate external speakers. :scratch2:

 

[cubby01]

No way I could have went home without it either. That thing drips of TOTL quality.:yes:

Ah, but the real question is would we see the carcass in the driveway awaiting burn day

Vendo, that is terrific. Looks clean too. If room is an issue surely it deserves to displace some other piece of audio furniture you have in there.

 

[vendo81]

No pics of the turntable? I'd be curious to see what those grey label "Masterwork" and "6 eye" records were meant to be played on. Any idea of the drivers in the speakers?

Totally cool!

The turntable is a Garrard. Here's a photo of the turntable and reel to reel. The reel to reel has the Columbia name as well :sigh:

I found a Thorens TD-124 custom built into an Ampex console I bought a few years back. Had a real nice tonearm as well. Still have it packed away with the pre, amps and tuner until I build a custom base for it. The Thorens is a keeper.

 

[jt4me1]

Dang, that is one handsome console! Enjoy (after you fill it with your Mac gear).