Thoughts on a Webcor console?

[janikphoto]

It's one I'm not familiar with... stereo tube amp inside?!? I don't see a balance adjustment, but I do see left and right speakers in the grill cloth.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/atq/3873871423.html

 

[hammr7]

I have always liked the quality of most Webcor tube products. The company was huge as an OEM supplier for some famed products (like Allen Organ tube amps) and also had a number of great products under their own name. I believe in the 60's they finally ran into cost problems and at the end may have cheapened their products a bit.

The MC-1068 is probably from the late 50's, so I would expect quality, especially of the tube amp, to be decent. There is a single woofer, but two sets of mid/high speakers. They may have tied output to both channels in one knob, since all speakers are so closely confined.

I know prices of consoles have been rising, but I don't think this Webcor should cost more than half the asking price.

 

[Omegaman]

1963 or older because of the CD markings.

AM/FM probably AM/FM sterio simalcast era

There are AK threads on this model 1068 amp

Looks like components, the question is are they interconnected (power) via umbilical?

uhh it does say STEREO right on it so...

Good looking console, too nice to gut.

A keeper and very nice example of MCM

pricey though, go over and demo all the things wrong with it and offer 1/3

 

[Wigwam Jones]

Webcor tube-based Reel-to-Reel machines are frequently full of Mullard tubes, in my limited experience. Don't know if that carries over to their other products.

 

[janikphoto]

You're right, it does say stereo on the badge. I missed that.

 

[orthophonic]

it is a 1959 model called the Ravinia or Constellation, can't remember which.
The balance control was inside the cabinet, set once and forget.

 

[gogofast]

so, if it's a stereo, it must have a 3 channel amp with just one woofer?

anyways, ime, webcors are quality stuff, and yes, i've seen many webcor branded mullard tubes.

 

[hammr7]

so, if it's a stereo, it must have a 3 channel amp with just one woofer?

anyways, ime, webcors are quality stuff, and yes, i've seen many webcor branded mullard tubes.

Maybe 3 channel, like some organ manufacturers of the time produced. But more likely 2 channel, with a crossover network that dumped all low frequency signal from both sides to the single speaker.

 

[pilotputz]

Webcor stuff tends to be pretty well built. Tend to have nice tubes, too.
That being said, this guy is asking about seven times more than it's worth.
That console's a 40 dollar yard sale find if there ever was one.
Though I doubt you'll get the current owner to agree...

 

[prncsdi81]

Hi, I have this Webcor console and know nothing about it. Does anyone have anything to offer on it? Thanks!

 

[crogs]

I inherited my grandmother's. It still somewhat worked, but I had other plans for it... Based around a SnapAV Episode Mini 2ch amp. I headed to Parts Express for a pair of 6" Midwoofers paired with 1" tweeters crossed over at 3k. I set the amp to cut them off at 60Hz with the sub out going to the 10" in the middle powered by that Microfidelity Amphony 2ch bridged. I have a chromecast audio attached through the toslink input. The analog input will go to a Denon DP-300F Turntable.

The Mini is remote only so you can see the keyhole IR repeater I put in the top left corner. Have the option to adjust volume via my phone and the Home app as well as the amp's remote.

Pretty amazed at the sound with the wide open cabinet. Haven't put the back on yet as I'm still weighing options. The plywood front can vibrate with heavy bass. Contemplated putting a piece of MDF up and cutting out speaker holes and reinforcing the front.

The other option was to create a sealed MDF box for the 10" and just reinforce the plywood around the speakers.

Also, products I sell are packaged in this open cell polyurethane foam. I've already used it as fill in my old M&k Goliath and other speakers. I plan on tiling the whole inside with it as well as the back panel so it's not a giant echo chamber.

Overall, it's pretty impressive as I sit here and listen to various tracks if Across the Universe including one of my favorite renditions of Let It Be.

The plastic on the feet are cracked. Contemplating putting new feet on it. But for now it works. And actually have the hvac return right behind it and the feet are the perfect width to straddle it.

What do you guys think?

And crap... 800x600 limitation kills uploading from my phone for now. But I'll come back and upload them once I downsize them.

The speaker cloth is perfect and pretty much glued to the plywood. So my other thought is ditch the plywood altogether for a thick piece of MDF. Trace the cutouts, and get new fabric. Saw some nice patterns online that would fit the bill coming close to the original.

 

[Leland47]

CL ad is down...and didn't see the pic...so don't know what it looks like.

But...I've picked up a couple Webcor consoles in the past...
Both had 3 to 5 Mullard 12AX7s in them....between the preamp and amplifier.
They are my favorite 12AX7 tube....just excellent smooth sound.

 

[Leland47]

Here's one for sale local to me. Out of my price range....but looks beautiful!

https://orlando.craigslist.org/atq/6049643304.html

 

[hjames]

ZOMMMMMbie Thread - Janik's original post was 2013!
CL ad and related picture is no doubt LONG GONE ....
janikphoto, Jun 15, 2013

 

[crogs]

Leland, that one is gorgeous. Like the lighter wood. I saved all the innards from mine. Need to post them on a couple sites to see if people can make use of them. Everything mostly worked. I'm sure if I had the time and patience, I could have restored it albeit with modern drivers and crossovers. But I have too many projects, and it wouldn't have seen nearly as much use in Stock form. Checking out some old turntables to drop in. Pioneer PD12 or PD15, and a Sony PS-1100

And does the age of the thread matter?

 

[Leland47]

Crogs, if you have the same model .....the tubes in the Preamp are all Webcor labeled Mullards and highly regarded. Worth some money.

Yes, the Webcor consoles were really nicely put together. Fine furniture work on those pieces.