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Fisher Consoles 1966-1972

TheRed1

TheRed1

Console Conservationist
I made a pilgrimage up to the National Capital Radio and Television Museum yesterday to scan a couple of Fisher catalogs. The folks there have been extremely helpful with their time and patience. Standing around in their cramped foyer/office, they helped me figure out how to work their scanner just as a terrific thunderstorm commenced. A couple of the bolts of lightning were so close that they tripped their alarm system. There was speculation that one may have hit the building. Fortunately, the computer I was using was not affected although some of the scans did cut off sections of the page.

The new catalog is copyrighted 1970; I'm pretty sure it's for the 1971 model year. I've just completed an extensive review of Fisher sales literature 1966 through 1972. All of the catalogs from this period appear to have been released at the beginning of the model year, i.e.: the September of the year preceding the actual model year. So, with some new dates for the old catalogs it would seem that between my 1966, 1967, and 1971 catalogs and Larry's 1969 and 1970 catalogs; we've got almost continuous coverage.

I've just updated an old post in the Fisher Consoles 1958-1965 sticky with links to all of the Fisher catalogs as well as a price list from 1968: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3009237&postcount=182

(Note that most of the '68 models are repeats of the '67s with a "B" at the end of the cabinet code. This trend of carrying over models into the next year intensifies through the end of the 1960s and into the early 1970s.)

If anybody has ANY Fisher price list for 1969, 1970, 1971 or later - I encourage you to scan and post.
 
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Nice job Carter. I noticed that a lot of the model #'s got carried over, and the wattage got increased (again). Avery got a lot of mileage out of quite a few pages on those brochures (the endcaps, and the who's who, the factory shots,etc.).

Larry
 
Submitted for peer review is the preliminary data for a future expansion of coverage on the Fisher Consoles website. I know Jon is very busy running his magazine so it might be a while before he has time to update.

As usual much credit should go to the Fisher Professor for all the work he put into compiling the database he has very kindly shared. A tip of the hat also to Larry Derouin for his unflagging enthusiasm for rescuing and rehabilitating later model Fisher consoles.

Please note that the model order is determined by price and/or stated output watts for the years I don't have price lists for: 1969, 1970 and 1971. Fisher used Peak EIA watts in their advertising literature. I have only included that information as an indicator of the model hierarchy; I am not making the claim that those numbers are realistic. The prices listed for 1969 and 1970 are the ones that were handwritten in Larry's catalogs so their authenticity is uncertain. They do appear to be plausible figures, though.

1968

  • ALLEGRO A-192 (W) CHASSIS: 11-R (35 WATTS) $389.50
  • PHILHARMONIC P-293 (W, EA, T) CHASSIS: 22-R (50 WATTS) $429.95
  • DIPLOMAT D-393 (W, PF, PI, EA, MD, IP) CHASSIS: 22-R (50 WATTS) $549.95
  • CUSTOM ELECTRA E-492 (W, CE, EA, MD, AT, ATM) CHASSIS: 21-R (90 WATTS) $649.95-699.95
  • REGENT R-592*B (W, CF, IP, MD) CHASSIS: 31-R (150 WATTS) $949.95-999.95
  • STATESMAN S-692*B (W, CF, IP, MD, MDD) CHASSIS: 31-R (150 WATTS) $1145-1195
  • EXECUTIVE 972*B (W, P, IP) CHASSIS: 31-R (170 WATTS) $1795-1845
  • PRESIDENT 9012*B (W, MD) CHASSIS: R-200-B/TX-300 (200 WATTS) $2495
  • DESIGNER SERIES ET-892*B (MD) CHASSIS 31-R (150 WATTS) $1995
  • DESIGNER SERIES WL-892*B (MD) CHASSIS 31-R (150 WATTS) $1995
_______________________________________________

1969

  • ALLEGRO A-192 (W) CHASSIS: 11-R (70 WATTS) $389.50
  • PHILHARMONIC P-294 (W, CF, MD, EA, CE) CHASSIS: 125 (80 WATTS) $499.95-529.95
  • METROPOLITAN M-394 (W, IP) CHASSIS: 125-6 (80 WATTS) $650
  • ROYAL ELECTRA R-494 (W, EA, CF, MD) CHASSIS: 23-R (110 WATTS) $750 UP
  • FUTURA F-594 (EA, IP, CE, MD) CHASSIS: 24-R (160 WATTS) $895
  • STATESMAN S-692 (W, MD, CF, IP) CHASSIS 31-R (160 WATTS) $995
  • EXECUTIVE 900 MODEL 973 (W, FP, IP) CHASSIS: 550-T (200 WATTS) $1435
  • PRESIDENT 9013 (MD) CHASSIS: R-200-B/TX-1000 (260 WATTS) $2495
_______________________________________________

1970

  • METROPOLITAN M-399 (W, IP, CF, MD) CHASSIS: 20-R (75 WATTS) $399.95-429.95
  • PHILHARMONIC P-294 (W, MD, CF, EA, CE) CHASSIS: 125 (90 WATTS) $499.95
  • CUSTOM PHILHARMONIC CP-294 (W, MD, CF, EA, CE) CHASSIS: 125/RC-70 (90 WATTS) $699.95
  • ROYAL ELECTRA R-494 (W, CF, MD, EA) CHASSIS: 23-R (130 WATTS) $795
  • FUTURA F-594 (MD, IP, FP, EA) CHASSIS 24-R (200 WATTS) $895
  • STATESMAN S-694 (W, MD, MDL, CF, CFL) CHASSIS: 24-R (200 WATTS) $1095 ($1195 w/ CASSETTE)
  • EXECUTIVE 900 MODEL 974 (W, IP, FP, MD) CHASSIS: 25-R (300 WATTS) $1595
  • PRESIDENT 9014 (MD) CHASSIS: 500-TX (400 WATTS) $2495
_______________________________________________

1971

  • METROPOLITAN M-399 (W, IP, CF, MD) CHASSIS: 20-R (75 WATTS) $429
  • PHILHARMONIC P-294 (W, EA, CF, MD, IP, CE) CHASSIS: 125 (90 WATTS) $579
  • CUSTOM PHILHARMONIC CP-294 (W, EA, CF, MD, IP, CE) CHASSIS 125/RC-70 (90 WATTS)
  • ROYAL ELECTRA R-494 (W, CF, MD, EA) CHASSIS: 23-R (130 WATTS) $795
  • REGENT R-495 (W, CF, CFL, MD, MDL, IP) CHASSIS: 202 (150 WATTS)
  • STATESMAN S-695 (W, CF, CFL, MD, MDL, IP) CHASSIS: 24-R (240 WATTS) $1195
  • EXECUTIVE 900 MODEL 974 (W, MD, IP) CHASSIS: 25-R (300 WATTS) $1595
  • PRESIDENT 9014 (MD) CHASSIS: 701/CP-100 8-TRACK PLAYER (400 WATTS)
_______________________________________________

1972-73

  • PHILHARMONIC P-294 (W, MD, MDL, EA, CF, CE, IP) CHASSIS: 125 (90 WATTS) $549.95-579.95
  • CUSTOM PHILHARMONIC CP-294 (W, MD, MDL, EA, CF, CE, IP) CHASSIS: 125/RC-70 (90 WATTS) $729.95-749.95
  • SQUIRE 864 (P, R) CHASSIS: 35-A (100 WATTS) $795
  • REGENT R-495 (W, MD, CF, IP) CHASSIS: 202 (150 WATTS) $795
  • PHILHARMONIC 4 MODEL P-295 (W, MD, MDL, EA, CF, CE, IP) CHASSIS: 125/TX-420 (200 WATTS) $899.95
  • SQUIRE 4 MODEL 865 (P, R) CHASSIS: 40 (200 WATTS) $995
  • STATESMAN S-695 (W, MD, MDL, CF, CFL, IP) CHASSIS: 25-R OR 250-TX (240 WATTS) $1195
  • EXECUTIVE 4 MODEL 975 (CF, MD) CHASSIS: 601 (300 WATTS) $1995
  • PRESIDENT 4 MODEL 9015/9016 (PECAN) CHASSIS: 701/CP-100 8-TRACK PLAYER (400 WATTS) $3500

The letters in parentheses after the model number are what I refer to as Fisher's "cabinet codes". They indicate the style, wood and sometimes the finish of the cabinet.

W = CONTEMPORARY IN WALNUT
T = TRANSITIONAL IN PECAN
P = PECAN
R = ROSEWOOD
EA = EARLY AMERICAN IN MAPLE
AT = AMERICAN TRADITIONAL IN CHERRY
ATM = AMERICAN TRADITIONAL IN MAHOGANY
CE = COUNTRY ENCLISH IN MAHOGANY
FP = FRENCH PROVINCIAL IN CHERRY
PI = FRENCH PROVINCIAL IN ANTIQUE WHITE
CF = COUNTRY FRENCH IN CHERRY
CFL = COUNTRY FRENCH IN LIGHT CHERRY
MD = MEDITERANNEAN IN PECAN
MDL = MEDITERANNEAN IN LIGHT PECAN
MDD = MEDITERANNEAN IN DISTRESSED PECAN (DARK)
IP = ITALIAN PROVINCIAL IN LIGHT PECAN
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EDIT: I was able to fill in most of the missing prices using contemporary advertising from the NYC market which is probably valid for the East Coast. West Coast prices slightly higher.
 
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So was the '73 model year,the last of the old school Fisher consoles? That seems kind of late,I thought they had turned Japanese and were all cheap components by then.
 
There doesn't seem to be a real hard and fast cut-off date marking the end of "the good stuff" from Fisher during the period when it was a division of Emerson Electric Co. (which was itself a subsidiary of National Union Electric). I'm not certain when Emerson shifted production overseas or if it was the entire product line or just the less expensive models. This is Sanyo's take on it (which admittedly has some inaccuracies):
In 1973 the American company Emerson Electric asked Sanyo to help revive its subsidiary the Fisher Corporation. Fisher, acquired by Emerson in 1965, [WRONG! It was 1969!] had moved its manufacturing operations to Hong Kong due to high labor costs, but continued to suffer from quality problems. The cooperation between Emerson and Sanyo continued until May 1975, when Sanyo, which still had no American manufacturing affiliate, engineered the transfer of several Fisher product lines to Japan and rehabilitated a Fisher speaker plant at Milroy, Pennsylvania. As 50-50 partners, Sanyo and Emerson were unable to resolve numerous differences of opinion in regard to Fisher. Finally, in May 1977 Emerson agreed to sell its share in Fisher to Sanyo. That year the new, profitable Fisher Corporation moved its headquarters from New York to Los Angeles.
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I know one Fisher collector who believes that 1972 was the last year for the REAL Fishers. However, it seems that a number of the '72 models carried over into 1973. So who knows? The trademark rights were transferred from Fisher Radio Corp. to Emerson Electric Co. in Apr. 1970 and then to the "Fisher Corporation" (a Delaware corporation) in Apr. 1976. It wasn't until 1988 that the trademark rights were transferred to Sanyo Fisher (USA) following some sort of merger and name change in 1987. But clearly Sanyo was behind the Fisher Corporation long before they added their name to Fisher's.
 
My family had a Fisher console system back in the early 1960's. I recall it had a Garrard turntable and a big arm and was made to stack records. When it was taken out of service in the late 1970's I took the speakers out and made seperates out of them. Worked great for a number of years.
 
TheRed1 said:
There doesn't seem to be a real hard and fast cut-off date marking the end of "the good stuff" from Fisher during the period when it was a division of Emerson Electric Co. (which was itself a subsidiary of National Union Electric). I'm not certain when Emerson shifted production overseas or if it was the entire product line or just the less expensive models. This is Sanyo's take on it (which admittedly has some inaccuracies):


I know one Fisher collector who believes that 1972 was the last year for the REAL Fishers. However, it seems that a number of the '72 models carried over into 1973. So who knows? The trademark rights were transferred from Fisher Radio Corp. to Emerson Electric Co. in Apr. 1970 and then to the "Fisher Corporation" (a Delaware corporation) in Apr. 1976. It wasn't until 1988 that the trademark rights were transferred to Sanyo Fisher (USA) following some sort of merger and name change in 1987. But clearly Sanyo was behind the Fisher Corporation long before they added their name to Fisher's.
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I was talking to someone at a record show a few weeks ago,who told me that he thinks anything that says "THE Fisher",says "Fisher Radio Corporation",has a Long Island address,and has no mention of Japan on the back,is worth picking up.Which was sort of what I thought.

I am not that up on the components they made, other than the classics,the 101,the 100,what have you.I am still learning about the speakers,obviously.I saw a thread here,from 2006,that implied that there were models of Fisher gear,especially speakers,that were made after Emerson took over the company,and for the speakers going by weight,is the best clue if they are any good or not.
 
thorenstd124 said:
I was talking to someone at a record show a few weeks ago,who told me that he thinks anything that says "THE Fisher",says "Fisher Radio Corporation",has a Long Island address,and has no mention of Japan on the back,is worth picking up.Which was sort of what I thought.
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Using the "The" as an sign of worthiness is problematic. Beginning with the Technical Analysis brochure that Avery Fisher donated to the Smithsonian (along with a 701 4-channel receiver and 4 WS-80 speakers) that is copyrighted 1970 and may refer to the 1971 model year; some Fishers had the "The Fisher" badge and some just said "Fisher". For instance, the flagship 701 just said "Fisher" but the 500-TX, 450-T and 250-TX are all pictured with "The Fisher" badges. Also the 701 is described in a Smithsonian condition report from 2003 as having "Fisher Radio - N.Y." printed along with the power requirements on the back panel.

The push to remove the "The" from "The Fisher" actually started while Avery Fisher was still at the helm. It may have been an attempt to freshen up their image or perhaps they just wanted their corporate identity to reflect how most of the public all ready referred to them as just: FISHER. They filed to trademark "FISHER" in 1965. They were turned down twice. It wasn't until Dec. 3, 1968, after Avery himself filed an extensive affidavit (recommended reading for Fisher fans: pages 13-16) explaining how all his customers referred to his products as "Fisher" and then fighting off an "opposition" from Aeolian American Corp.; that the trademark was finally granted.

I don't have much information from 1972 but it does appear that by 1973 the "The" was finally laid to rest and it was just "Fisher" from then on. I do not know if that corresponds with the end of classic Fisher gear or not. I suspect it does, though - more or less.

Side note: The "Studio-Standard" trademark was filed for on Dec. 18, 1972 and registered on Oct. 18, 1974.
 
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I realize that this is an older thread but thought I'd start here because I don't know where else to start. My parents are parting with furniture and they've had their tv sitting on a Fisher console.
The Custom Philharmonic CP-294B purchased in 1970 or 71. The console is in great condition. The electronics and speakers not as much, but all original. Lots of memories with this.

Can anyone help me understand what I have, what it might be worth, and how I can find a good home for it?
Thanks
 

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I lightened up your 2nd photo to ID the "all in one" unit.

This is a 1969 or 1970 FISHER Philharmonic console with the Model 127 Receiver/phonograph (although it will say Philharmonic on it, it's a 127). It's the BOTL console FISHER made. By 1969 All FISHER consoles had gone from tubes to Solid State and from separate components to receivers with a separate phonograph or in the case of the Philharmonic an all in one. The turntable (changer) is one of BSR's better units, with FISHER Branding on it. Output wattage is about 15-20 watts per channel.

There is a Service Manual for the 127 on HIFIENGINE.COM.

It's worth what the market will bear. On low end Solid State units even in the cosmetic condition it's in, it's not much. That's about as far as we can go without this thread going to Dollars and Sense.

Clipboard01.jpg
 
Don't know if you need it, but I received a copy of "The Fisher Handbook" with a 1971 copyright date, specifying what was available in 1972 (and likely into 1973). The first 43 pages have the Fisher overview of audio, followed by 26 pages of sales information. Let me know if you need scans.
 
Hank; Check with TheRed1. He may have it, but then again not. I know I don't have it.
 
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I have had a Fisher Regent R-592-IP for years. I just got married and don't have room for it. Is there anyone who can tell me how to find its worth and how to sell it? It's in pretty good shape but needs some work done.
 
Don't believe Everything Wikipedia says. Read the STICKY Threads In the Historical Section of the Database, the information there having been researched at the source, not some 10th or 15th telling and then relayed to Wiki.

A. Brooks. Find at least 3 Antiques Dealers in your area that also handle electronics. Post 1965 Solid State consoles are not worth much if anything. It would be better to keep it for sentimental reasons. And tell the wife this is your one big piece in the house. Then put it in your den.
 
A Brooks said:
I have had a Fisher Regent R-592-IP for years. I just got married and don't have room for it. Is there anyone who can tell me how to find its worth and how to sell it? It's in pretty good shape but needs some work done.
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Hello call me 9545496730 ...Patrick
 
Patrick sva. The poster you asked to call has 1 post, back in AUGUST of last year. He has not posted since. Email addresses and phone numbers are not to be given out due to bot's which crawl the site looking for email addresses, and the possibility exists for unsavory characters to be looking for phone #'s to call.

If you want to contact a member, that is what "conversation" (old name was private msg) is for.

To start a conversation, you click on the members name on the left column, a box will come up with minimal information about the member. In the middle of the box is "Start a conversation. Click on that and a new page will open with the conversation posting box in it. Type your msg and hit SEND.
 
TheRed1 said:
There doesn't seem to be a real hard and fast cut-off date marking the end of "the good stuff" from Fisher during the period when it was a division of Emerson Electric Co. (which was itself a subsidiary of National Union Electric). I'm not certain when Emerson shifted production overseas or if it was the entire product line or just the less expensive models. This is Sanyo's take on it (which admittedly has some inaccuracies):


I know one Fisher collector who believes that 1972 was the last year for the REAL Fishers. However, it seems that a number of the '72 models carried over into 1973. So who knows? The trademark rights were transferred from Fisher Radio Corp. to Emerson Electric Co. in Apr. 1970 and then to the "Fisher Corporation" (a Delaware corporation) in Apr. 1976. It wasn't until 1988 that the trademark rights were transferred to Sanyo Fisher (USA) following some sort of merger and name change in 1987. But clearly Sanyo was behind the Fisher Corporation long before they added their name to Fisher's.
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My Fisher President Consol Model 9016 is original since I purchased my self dealer named GRINNEL BROTHERS Westwood Mall 1782 W.MICHIGAN AVE ,JACKSON,MICHIGAN 49202. You can reach me at targun@austin.rr.com 512-346-8747 . My name Turan Argun located Austin TX .console is in very good condition Pecan ,only I have removed 8 tract . Feel free to call.
 
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