Newbie with a Zenith console dilemma

[monkeydog]

Hello!

I've recently been bitten by the vintage bug. I have in my possession a Zenith Console, ca 1962, model sfh2605, "Gershwin" version.

It's in OK condition in terms of the console -- a little stain and it would be mint.

The tuner, amp, turntable and speakers (12 inch woofers, yum!) all appear to work perfectly.

I can see all the beautiful tubes glowing through the back panel.

Here's my dilemma. Right now it's just a tv stand in the kiddie playroom. I really don't have a good place where I can put it AND listen to it.

So, the dilemma is:

1. Do I tear it up for the components and add them to my set up ( I don't really know what I am doing so the f'up factor is high)

2. Sell it and get some other vintage tube gear (not sure what it is worth, but it looks to be a fairly rare model) that I can integrate into my system.

3. Restore it, rearrange the house when the wife isn't looking, and live w/ the consequences...

Does anyone know anything about this particular model or similiar models?

I guess this is a good dilemma to have!

Thanks for any info you may have.

[jpdylon]

I would find it a new home and get a piece of tube gear that you can easily work into your current arrangement.

[radiotvnut]

I would either find it a new home or restore it and sneak it in past the wife. Wait, maybe I should not have mentioned the part about sneaking things in past the wife. I hear some women can get violent when they discover that things have been snuck in behind their back, LOL!

Of course, you could always strip out the guts. They would be worth more $ out of the console. Me personally, I could not do that unless the cabinet was trashed. I like to keep equipment together as much as possible.

Those old Zeniths do sound good and the FM tuners are very sensitive in most of their models.

[markus]

any pix ?

wondering if it has the Push/Pull 6BQ5 amp, or is it single ended ? does the door to the controls open from the front, or top ?

since this is your first console, I say keep it :thmbsp:

if it's the PP 6BQ5 amp, it's pretty straightforward to convert the amp to standalone duty. This way, you could continue using the console as a TV stand, and you get the satisfaction of having a cool tube amp to play with.

If you're REALLY lucky, the console has a pair of Jensen RP103 tweeterr horns too, and the amp is stuffed with mullards :yes:

[sloober]

Kick the kiddies out, and make it YOUR playroom. I think it will be tricky to sneak a console past the wife. Or carpet the garage and make that your playroom.

John

[himm37]

Can you find a place to store it AND use the parts? In most cases the amp can be used without major mods, and when the time comes that you have a place to use/display it completely, it can be put back together.

[monkeydog]

Console opens from the top, tuner amp and turntable.

I haven't had a chance to open up the back and see what kind of amp it is...how do I tell? I just see the tubes glowing at this point.

I don't see anything about the amp in the manual (yes, I have the manual!).

Tweeters appear to be cones.

It does have the abiity to hook up additional speakers.

Anyway, I will have to get some pics up.

Thanks!

[monkeydog]

Tried the garage thing, ended up moving that system into my bedroom..too hot in Texas. Unfortunately, the kids outnumber me -- they're small, but very scrappy!

I think I'll start w/ refinishing and making it pretty, then the WAF may increase...and problem may solve itself.

I dig into it over the weekend and post some pics.

Thanks everyone for your good, although completely conflicting, advice!

[jeffsod]

Being that it's a 1962 it should have FM Stereo and would have been the first full model year it was offered. Push pull EL84's probably too. Worth figuring out a way to make it work if you can...

[monkeydog]

Yes, FM AM and FM-AFC (automatic frequency control), nice turntable.

10 watts/ 24 watts peak, 3 way speakers, and ability for "radial surround system", which is basically extra tweaters, speakers, or even a satellite set up, w/ the console as the sub (now THAT gives me some ideas!)...not sure how it works but the manual says it is possible
yeah, I think it is a keeper and that I can work the wife.