Buffet style china cabinet hutch enclosure.

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901Fixer

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Joined 2008
#1
I'm wondering if anyone has built anything like the JBL Paragon or similar.
Or something similar to the various styles I've seen over the years that had a turntable and reciever in the upper section, you lifted the top for access. I always thought they were real nifty and have thought about re-fitting an original or building one from scratch. No more than 6' wide, 2' deep and 3' high max. It would definately look like a piece of furniture and could be standalone or part of a built in wall shelf unit.
Pics would be great or links to plans etc.
 
#2
I never did - but wanted to for years. Even drew up plans. But most of that stuff is well beyond my woodworking skills. I really do think the console is ready for a comeback.

My wife really wanted one - in danish modern style. So instead of waiting for me to build one, she bought one. It wasn't as simple as that - we looked at a lot in used furniture shops, bid on eBay, etc. Mostly we didn't like what we saw or got outbid on what we did.

But then one day on Craigslist she found a 2 piece Fisher console she just had to have. And at $65, it was hard to argue. Nice old console, circa 1959, and in two parts.

All the electronics were gone, thus the price, but the drivers are all still there. Each cab has 3 Jensen 8" drivers all wired in parallel, no crossover. I wired it up for internet radio so now we can enjoy, Frank, Dino, Sammy, Nat, Louie, Ella and the gang in the living room. Often I run just one side as the material is well suited to mono. Can fill the whole house with mellow tunes.

So that's my suggestion. Look around shops and online for something ready made - then upgrade it. It may not be "hi-fi", but it certainly is fun - and often not too $$. If you want a real Hi-Fi console, that's another matter.
 
#4
Any pics would be greatly appreciated. What key words would you use to search for this kinda thing? Console? What brand names?

I was thinkin' if I didn't build a completely new one from scratch I'd modify an old one with new drivers and up to date enclosure to match unless I found a real nice one that happened to sound good.

What did you name this console Dave? Fonkensole? Consofonken?
 
#6
Looks like Console is a good word to use to search. I found this nice lookin' Motorola close to me, where does this rank on quality, value etc. ? Is there a website more dedicated to this kind of item?

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/fuo/1226802594.html

The tuner doesn't turn but it is a tube amp and plays 33, 45 and 78 which the poster says is not commom with a tube amplifier. For the condition the price is reasonable to me unless these are not so wonderful or typically go for less.

What say ye Hi Fi fanatics?
 
#7
901Fixer said:
What say ye Hi Fi fanatics?
Click to expand...

The furniture needs to be worth something to you to pay that kind of money for a console... looks like an SE EL84, quite common, and at the low end of the electronics lines (one of my RH84 uses OPTs from similar). I can visualize taking the electonics apart, i've had quite a few similar thru here. I'd have paid from please take it away to about $40, But then i was only interested in the guts and with a lot of people like me, these are getting rarer all the time.

dave

PS: most of these did 33/45/78
 
#8
Do any of the higher end brand names come to mind? I'm not in any hurry to get one of these but I'd like to pick one up. I also have wanted to get a turntable to play some of the many old records I inherited from my parents. I doubt any of the turntables in these Consoles were very high end but that kinda adds to the ambiance of Ray Conniff Christmas and Boogie Fever.

Does fixing the tuner issue sound complecated or is this common for this type of unit?
 
#9
There's some schmo in minneapolis who wants $2000 for their telefunken console. It's got a neat danish midcentury teak look, and looks to be tubed and stereo.

They had it for sale on craigslist a few years ago for $300 and I offered them two. Apparently they've decided that recessions increase the value of things tenfold.
 
#10
I found a couple more locally. Some need more work but are much cheaper.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/clt/1232573178.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/clt/1200539095.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/fuo/1230699655.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/fuo/1207815867.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/msg/1220190127.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/fuo/1233792530.html

Are they all pretty much the same spec wise just different design on the outside? The last one is pretty complicated with all of the sliding and unfolding, giving me some ideas for sure.
 
#12
I like the last 2 in the list. That RCA is a sweetheart. Pricey, but about what you would expect for something like that. And seems in top shape, not something you'd want to gut.

The other little $50 job isn't bad. I like the simple lines - but that's my taste.

EDIT: Dave beat me to it!
 
#13
I really love the old skool stuff, the retro look. Some of the descriptions include chipped or loose laminate. Did they laminate real wood, plywood or MDF back in the day?

This would make a nice decoration even if it didn't work.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/clt/1196962457.html

The one you picked Dave, is there anything to look for, I may go look at it today. Looks small enough to fit in my trunk or back seat. Can these be laid on their backs without damaging anything? Or fronts?
 
#15
And they are often top heavy, so upside down is more stable - and gives you a flat bottom to rest it on. But be even more careful of loose falling bits if you do turn it over! (maybe Dave would not rccomend this method)
 
#16
panomaniac said:
And they are often top heavy, so upside down is more stable - and gives you a flat bottom to rest it on. But be even more careful of loose falling bits if you do turn it over! (maybe Dave would not rccomend this method)
Click to expand...

I have carried them every which way. Including dissassembled in the parking lot to fit it in... (althou that is usually the smaller German ones that can be turned into scrap lumber with a thack here & a kick there)

dave
 
#18
My parents have a nice old console that serves duty for ambient music in the house. I also rebuilt one for a friend about 15 years ago. The console itself was in decent shape, just required refinishing, but the radio and turntable weren't salvageable (corrosion, stripped wiring, missing tubes, cracked sockets, live mains wiring, etc). I think I paid about $50 for it back then. Unfortunately movers destroyed it several years back, so I don't have a picture.
 
#19
I have looked for thoes in antique shops, but found nothing.

I did see a post on some forum about an old end table with 2 draws that some one had put an 8" sub in. looked great. Also, at HT guide someone posted pics of a 1940's radio he had converted to a sub recivers etc.

I have just hit on the idea of old chest. Women love them for some reason, so, SWMBO will go for it. I have plans for an old chest 36x20x25 with legs, (5"). Thats 8 cf or so. I'm looking for places to conceal subs. I also have plans for a Pensilvania Small Chest, 19x13x14 wiht 3" legs. It will take a 1 cf sealed sub for a RSS265HF 8"/240w pa I have.

Plans
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/...oolshop&Product_Code=LL-17&Category_Code=CLLD
 
#20
panomaniac said:
I never did - but wanted to for years. Even drew up plans. But most of that stuff is well beyond my woodworking skills. I really do think the console is ready for a comeback.

My wife really wanted one - in danish modern style. So instead of waiting for me to build one, she bought one. It wasn't as simple as that - we looked at a lot in used furniture shops, bid on eBay, etc. Mostly we didn't like what we saw or got outbid on what we did.

But then one day on Craigslist she found a 2 piece Fisher console she just had to have. And at $65, it was hard to argue. Nice old console, circa 1959, and in two parts.

All the electronics were gone, thus the price, but the drivers are all still there. Each cab has 3 Jensen 8" drivers all wired in parallel, no crossover. I wired it up for internet radio so now we can enjoy, Frank, Dino, Sammy, Nat, Louie, Ella and the gang in the living room. Often I run just one side as the material is well suited to mono. Can fill the whole house with mellow tunes.

So that's my suggestion. Look around shops and online for something ready made - then upgrade it. It may not be "hi-fi", but it certainly is fun - and often not too $$. If you want a real Hi-Fi console, that's another matter.
Click to expand...

You got any pics of this cream puff? Is Fisher on the higher end? I'm gonna try to get the one you and Dave like, its 35 miles away and not sold yet so if they will reply to my email I hope to go see it maybe tomorrow. Laying on its back or front will most likely fit in my trunk the best, '89 Cadillac DeVille will hold 9 dead bodies or 14 golf bags so this should fit no problem. Back seat is also an option.

I think I'll just keep this one original or revamp it to origianal condition as needed and then build one from scratch later sized to fit.
 
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