was the 500C ever in a regular Fisher console?

[hammr7]

Another AK member recently picked up a Consolette which contained a satellite speaker. This piqued my interest in trying to figure out if any other standard Fisher tube consoles had the remote speaker arrangements that matched the basic cabinet.

To confuse things, there was a posting a few weeks ago for a Fisher console based around the 500C receiver. This console had two remote speakers and each one was a general match to the cabinet housing the 500C. I don't remember any standard Fisher console that ever had a 500C.

So was there any standard console with the 500C that I can't remember? Were there other Fisher consoles with remote speaker arrangements? Or was that 500C unit likely some 3rd party custom build?

 

[TheRed1]

NO! (Yes.) Maybe. I consider the name of that particular console to be somewhat sacred. It's the only one that I know of that doesn't register on Google searches. They must be exceedingly rare by now. Due to the 500C's high profile I suspect that most of them were gutted long ago to facilitate easy shipping and a fast buck. It is a particular shame since it was perhaps Fisher's smallest "console" containing only the receiver and a record changer. It was a very sleek, compact and attractive modern design without built-in speakers.

There is some confusion as to whether the 500C was actually used in this model since the catalog description seems to describe the 800C. But I have it on good authority that at least some came equipped with 500C as well as the 400. I sure would like to see one of these turn up intact but I'm not holding my breath. I think even an empty cabinet would be a major find since it would be a simple matter of re-stuffing (un-gutting) with a spare receiver. One possible reason the name is so obscure might be that cabinets weren't badged. So even if you found one it might not be apparent what it was.

I didn't catch the post you referenced about the 500C console with separate matching speakers. Could you post a link? There was one like you describe recently listed here in Northern Virginia. It had EV speakers in separate Provincial-styled maple enclosures. Was that the one? It was definitely a custom cabinet.

 

[hammr7]

I didn't catch the post you referenced about the 500C console with separate matching speakers. Could you post a link? There was one like you describe recently listed here in Northern Virginia. It had EV speakers in separate Provincial-styled maple enclosures. Was that the one? It was definitely a custom cabinet.

Thanks Red,

Another AKer had sent me the link to that Northern Virginia unit. That was the one I was referring to. Its always tough to tell from CL photos, but it looked to be a matched set from a furniture perspective. Unfortunately I didn't capture the listing info before it disappeared.

But I had a chance to speak with the seller. The unit was his father's, and had been purchased new. A 500C with an Elac Miracord changer and a pair of EV speakers (either 12TRX or 12TRXB's) in in the satellite enclosures.

Even in those small enclosures it must have been a heck of a system. I really liked the combination of small size and the ability to customize your stereo sound stage. All it needed was to drop a Lenco or high-end Garrarad (or maybe even a Rek-O-Kut) in place of the Miracord. Even better, hook it up to a pair of K-Horns and turn the satellite into surround speakers, since the satellite cabinets could easily house 30A's and the main cabinet had room for a modern signal processor and another preamp.

Too bad it wasn't a standard Fisher offering ....

 

[flotrain]

500C Fisher console... maybe this one???

I have had this for 12 years... got it from a neighbor who moved away. I've thought about restoring it or finding it a new home but never got past cleaning it up and installing a small cooling fan by the power tubes. Everything works, including Gerard turntable... could it be a factory Fisher console? with the Stephens speaker components? Thanks for your thoughts!

p.s. construction is plywood/ particle board with veneer... sounds magnificent!

 

[KentTeffeteller]

This appears to be a custom console. I think there was a really high end Fisher console which did have the 500C and 800C factory fitted. I think the President if memory serves.

 

[TheRed1]

I don't believe that is a Fisher cabinet. I'm familiar with pretty much all of Fisher's console models - I don't think one of that scale would be likely to have escaped my notice. Fisher did once use Stevens speakers as a premium option but that was long before the era of the 500C.

There were a number of companies that produced their own cabinets and offered component packages at very competitive prices. Fisher components were very popular choice with the custom cabinet buyer. I think that is what you've got. Quite often the nicer custom consoles are every bit as nice as Fisher's factory offerings. Yours is definitely in this category.

 

[flotrain]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I couldn't find a photo of another console quite like it on the web. I found a sticker inside but I think maybe that was just where it was serviced... not sure.

 

[larryderouin]

I think TheRed1 is talking about this little GEM back in post #2. This particular photo show a 400, but a 500C or 800C would fit without modification to the cabinet.