What should I do with these 4 Consoles?

[ncalsurfer]

This last weekend I received a call from someone who thought I might be interested in some old stereo consoles. Duh! Only problem was he was throwing them away unless I committed to getting them site unseen. I didn't want to risk losing them, so I accepted and drove 40 minutes to pick them up.

I ended up with 4 solid state consoles, all of which work, cabinets in fair to good shape. I'm disappointed because I had hoped at least one would be a nice tube console I could put into play, but no such luck. I"m not interested in keeping any of these except maybe the Curtis Mathes as it sounds really nice. Are there any parts worth keeping? (I'm just getting into building simple tube amps and always looking to save a buck!)

Your honest assestment on the following would be appreciated:
(pics at: Console Pics/)
1. Zenith Model #Y946P (Chassis 2SST20?)
AM/FM Stereo Phono
(2) 12" woofers (2) 3" tweeters (2) 3" x 7" horns

2. Magnavox Astro-Sonic Model #1P3768
AM/FM Stereo Phono
Foam sealed speaker enclosures

3. Curtis Mathes Model #40M568
AM/FM Stereo Phono + Reel to Reel
(2) 16" woofers (2) 5" tweeters (2) 4" x 10" horns

4. Magnavox Astro-Sonic Model #2ST690 (620?)
AM/FM Stereo Phono

 

[persil]

Jesus! those must be the ugliest things I've seen in a long time! I am British and I never saw anything like that over here. What to do with them? strip out the insides and sell them for coffins!

 

[Snade]

Hhhhmmmm. Not sure.

I have fond memories of those because I remember visiting relatives with one of those in their living rooms in the 60's. As a kid back then, we thought they were cool and only rich people could afford them.

I like the curved arms of those record players - has a cool retro look.

I bet that Curtis Mathes sold for big bucks back in the day.

I see a lot of solid state Magnavox consoles at Goodwill and on Craig's list for very low cost or free.

If you have the room, I suggest you keep and restore the Curtis Mathes, and offer the others on CL for free, providing good photos so you can find someone to take them. I'd post them one at a time in the Electronics section of CL, and if no takers, try posting them to the Free section of CL.

Good luck. Snade

 

[fdrennen]

I would certanly keep the Curtis Mathes Model #40M568 and if the tuner/amp has a tape out I'd use that to feed a tube amp. How good are the speakers?
And I'd give one of the others to me, to use in my church music office I've been looking for one. You could take a tax write-off!

 

[jpciii]

burn 'em

 

[RaymondLeggs]

Hook em all up and Tune them all to the same radio station ant Turn them up to the max and see how the neighbors react!

 

[cincy]

Jesus! those must be the ugliest things I've seen in a long time! I am British and I never saw anything like that over here. What to do with them? strip out the insides and sell them for coffins!

During their heyday these consoles were the best looking furniture that most Americans had in their homes. :yes:

 

[RaymondLeggs]

I'd say keep em you dont come across things like this everyday 4 consoles I wish I had just one! You could Just put one in each room and hook a CD changer to it and have as stereo in 4 rooms!

They makeg eggod TV stands too! and HT systems if you hook a DVD player to them {I seen it done}

 

[Filmboydoug]

I'd take the vertical Magnavox and mount it in a nice box to sit next to my computer. Old horns are always fun to mess around with.

 

[ampegdan]

I'd make a plinth for the silver Magnavox turntable. I really would. Hint, hint. You could make all kinds of portable audio equipment out of that stuff, but as far as pieces of furniture(as a cabinetmaker myself) they're mostly an embarrassment. The last one isn't bad, but the pleated fabric needs to go, and the carvings could be calmed down a bit by someone good with a chisel. I would like to build a more Danish Modern style console with components I own for the hell of it, but haven't got room for one.
If you decide to pull the TT from the silver Magnavox, I might be interested in it for 78 use.
dan

 

[RaymondLeggs]

I'd make a plinth for the silver Magnavox turntable. I really would. Hint, hint. You could make all kinds of portable audio equipment out of that stuff, but as far as pieces of furniture(as a cabinetmaker myself) they're mostly an embarrassment. The last one isn't bad, but the pleated fabric needs to go, and the carvings could be calmed down a bit by someone good with a chisel. I would like to build a more Danish Modern style console with components I own for the hell of it, but haven't got room for one.
If you decide to pull the TT from the silver Magnavox, I might be interested in it for 78 use.
dan

I'd leave them in the cabinets and keep at least one if I had one I bet they sing too!!! I don't see anything wrong with the way the cabinets look.:yes::drool:

 

[speedracer]

keep them all if you can, they're cool ! that was great stuff back in the, never to be seen again. if you're near Philly, i would take one.

 

[alwayslooking]

A few years ago I went to a house that was giving away a snowmobile. they described it as "Ridden twice" That might have been true but they did not mention that it had sat outside for 3 years in some woods. Instead of walking away I loaded it up in a truck. Luckily for me, by the time I came to my senses near my house I stopped by an auto repair place and they took the rusted, rotten mess. That was a lesson in being careful of what I put in my vehicle.

 

[ncalsurfer]

Thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately for me, my Sanford and Son chromosome got the best of me. I really want to start playing with tube stuff. **Edited by Moderators- no offers in open forums. Use AK Members Classified Forum**

(sorry mod, I wasn't trying to sell them here).

If I can't sell them, then I'll part them out and save for a rainy day!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!