Thread Number: 35544
1968 Magnavox console stereo catalog
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Post# 530476   7/13/2011 at 20:00 (4,642 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)        

A Facebook friend posted a link to this on Phonoland.com's page. It's 98mb but well worth it to see those beautiful Maggies.

My stereo is in there. It's the 1000 series French Provincial model I got from Mark (Lightedcontrols).

Anyway, enjoy!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO jasonl's LINK





Post# 530740 , Reply# 1   7/14/2011 at 23:51 (4,641 days old) by djmjlcst (Bloomington, Illinois)        
Got one of the stereos listed in the catalog!

Hey Jason,

I bought my parents a used Astro-Sonic 300 series model 3713 stereo exactly like the one pictured on page 10 a couple decades ago. My Dad still has this in his home. It hasn't seen much use in a decade since my Mom passed away. It definitely will need to be cleaned as the volume and balance controls are noisy. The record player needs help getting started so I'm assuming a good cleaning and oiling are in order but when it did play it sounded wonderful and it was not a TOL model. What year was this catalog put out? I'm assuming late 60's. Thanks for the scans!

Mike L.


Post# 530741 , Reply# 2   7/14/2011 at 23:54 (4,641 days old) by djmjlcst (Bloomington, Illinois)        
DUH! It was 1968!

Pardon my ignorance, should've looked at the top of the thread before hitting reply!

1968.....I was just a kid then. Money went a lot farther back then but then again a Maggie was always expensive and worth it if you could afford one!

Mike L.


Post# 530759 , Reply# 3   7/15/2011 at 03:37 (4,641 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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I picked that same brochure out of our Magnavox showroom in summer of 1969, I think the 68 on the back cover indicates it was printed for the '69 model year. I got the component and black and white tv brochure and the color television brochure too. If I had known they had so much other stuff printed, I would have grabbed some of that too. I have the Contemporary end table set, and the GREEN EARLY AMERICAN from that book. The green cloth in the set bleached out over the years, and the kitten pulled one of the pleated panels loose. Why I didn't dump it four years ago is beyond me. I guess because it's a Magnavox, and it sounds so good!




This post was last edited 07/15/2011 at 05:41
Post# 530773 , Reply# 4   7/15/2011 at 07:43 (4,641 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Thanks for the link, Jason! It's always good to see you pop up here at AW.

The Magnavox will always be my favorite stereo due to the lovely, graceful record-changing system. I grew up with a Magnavox that my sister tells me we got in 1958 or so. I used to spend so much time watching it work, even as toddler. I got to know when an album side was nearly finished, and I'd run over to the stereo and watch it change to the next record. I enjoyed it most when my sister would stack up ten 45's, as it hastened the "reject" process to every 2-3 minutes, LOL.



Post# 530832 , Reply# 5   7/15/2011 at 13:40 (4,640 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
wonderful catalog...

twintubdexter's profile picture
...thank you so much. I am starting a Magnavox Console Stereo collection (I only have two so far & limited space) but the "hunt" is great fun. I have the model #3913 pictured at the beginning of the catalog. I rescued this stereo from the curb a few hours before it was slated to be picked up by the local garbage company. I would love to see another discussion started on console stereos. I know many of you major/small appliance collecting connoisseurs have some great pieces.

looks so much nicer in my dining room instead of the trash heap...


Post# 530888 , Reply# 6   7/15/2011 at 22:29 (4,640 days old) by AutowasherFreak ()        

Beautiful stereos Alan and Joe! 


Post# 530903 , Reply# 7   7/15/2011 at 23:53 (4,640 days old) by gmmcnair (Portland, OR)        
Astrosonic....

gmmcnair's profile picture

I have a French Provincial Astrosonic from 1966 or so (it's old enough to still say Astrosonic High Fidelity but new enough to have that non-curved tonearm)....picked it up at Value Village for $20. I couldn't let it languish there!

 

It still works beautifully....FM radio pulls in stations that no other radio in the house can manage, and the 15 inch woofers make my Dolby 5.1 surround system sound pale and anemic. I love it....had a Mediterranean model years ago that I foolishly gave up, and this one is a beautiful replacement.  I rooted around inside for the tape in and outs, and put an ipod cable on there.....makes a wonderful jukebox.


Post# 530951 , Reply# 8   7/16/2011 at 13:42 (4,639 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
before this thread disappears...

twintubdexter's profile picture
...I thought I'd post a couple of pics of the other Magnavox in my "huge" collection. This is a 1973 Imperial Armoire, not free but at a give-away price. It's pretty much my new favorite thing...fortunately it doesn't take a lot to make this old man happy.



Post# 530952 , Reply# 9   7/16/2011 at 13:44 (4,639 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
and with the doors open...

twintubdexter's profile picture
...it really does sound great

Post# 530987 , Reply# 10   7/16/2011 at 15:44 (4,639 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)        
Whoa Nellie!

What an awesome machine. Does that record changer have GOLD trim on it?

I agree with Frigilux. The lid most be OPEN to enjoy the stereo in action. Especially while playing 45s.


Post# 530996 , Reply# 11   7/16/2011 at 16:11 (4,639 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
73 catalog pic...

twintubdexter's profile picture
...and for those of you "kids" on here...that's wood paneling and shag carpeting and no, she's not wearing a Halloween costume...ah the 70's

Post# 530997 , Reply# 12   7/16/2011 at 16:16 (4,639 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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I had the fifteen pound tomcat land on my record changer in my French Provincial 1970 console twice. While it was playing. I have to lock up the cats to watch records playing. I have a 1971 French Provincial armoire, with color television and remote control. TV doesn't work, but the pleasure I got out of the radio and record player payed for itself in no time. I love that Imperial Armoire, I've always wanted a reel to reel Magnavox deck, but I haven't had the nerve to get one off eBay.

(batteries dying in camera)


Post# 531330 , Reply# 13   7/18/2011 at 08:10 (4,637 days old) by kevin313 (Detroit, Michigan)        

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Those old stereo/hi-fi's are just beautiful! I can imagine how great the sound reproduction must be on those! What treasures...

Post# 531457 , Reply# 14   7/18/2011 at 18:12 (4,637 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago)        
My Magnavox

paulg's profile picture
I've added a CD player and iPod deck. It's wonderful for dinner music.
That's Maxine in the background.


Post# 531464 , Reply# 15   7/18/2011 at 18:30 (4,637 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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I have the Spice Chest from the Spirit of '76 collection, yours has the tuner and knobs I like better. Maxine is a little cutie too!


Post# 531476 , Reply# 16   7/18/2011 at 19:23 (4,637 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago)        
Purrr

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Meow meow THANK YOU meow meow

Post# 531488 , Reply# 17   7/18/2011 at 20:29 (4,637 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Maxine looks a lot like

 

My Rosa...and she is one of the best cats I have ever had.  She's very snuggly.  I hope Maxine can be the same way.

 

 

We had a Magnavox stereo from 1967 until 1991, when we couldn't find anyone to repair it.  It was in "early American" style.  Its tuner was powerful, and really good at rejecting multipath.  I rather miss consoles, the better ones, like Magnavox, Scott, and Voice of Music....

 

 

Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 531499 , Reply# 18   7/18/2011 at 21:34 (4,637 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Hi Jason! Good to see you again.
Nothing like a Magnavox console stereo! Last winter I converted my 1965 Astro Sonic to a 6V6 tube type push pull amplifier, from a 1959 Magnavox console.I had Harold Hagen rebuild the tube amp and tuner prior to the install. Also changed the Micromatic record changer over to an Audio Technica magnetic cartridge. I had to add lead to the counter weight, and the changer now tracks perfectly at one and one half grams. I love the tube sound. The console sound a lot "tighter" and more powerful. Sometime I will make a video of it, and post here.


Post# 531502 , Reply# 19   7/18/2011 at 21:42 (4,637 days old) by mixfinder ()        
The Pinacle of Sound

I love Maganavox.  I had a green stereo with a Fruitwood top and killer collor TV with the stereo on one side, storage on the other and cloth covered doors to hide the screen.  If only moving and downsizing hadn't stricken I know have the space and full encouragement of peter to do whatever I want.  The best sound in this thread is the sweet, sweet voice of Rick.  Play it again, Sam.


Post# 531519 , Reply# 20   7/18/2011 at 23:19 (4,637 days old) by retropia ()        
RCA Victor

This isn't a Magnavox, but it is an interesting old RCA Victor console-style stereo. It was for sale at an estate auction I attended in late May. It went unsold; no one wanted it even for $5.


Post# 531520 , Reply# 21   7/18/2011 at 23:20 (4,637 days old) by retropia ()        

Here is the label on the back.


Post# 531521 , Reply# 22   7/18/2011 at 23:21 (4,637 days old) by retropia ()        

Stereophonic High Fidelity!


Post# 531522 , Reply# 23   7/18/2011 at 23:25 (4,637 days old) by retropia ()        

Here is a photo of the turntable. The funny thing is that I'd been to this house for several holiday dinners, and just assumed this was a type of china hutch. I never had any idea a stereo lurked within, which I guess was the idea. A daughter of the man whose estate was being auctioned said her parents bought this in 1960 (if I remember correctly) to replace an upright piano, which was no longer being used.


Post# 531526 , Reply# 24   7/18/2011 at 23:57 (4,637 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Doug, that RCA hutch is very nice...

twintubdexter's profile picture
...I take it you didn't buy it...too bad, and Paul, that Magnavox pedestal is really cool too.

This is something I bought last month from a little old lady living in a travel trailer braced up on cinder blocks. This was made by Westinghouse (Canada) around 1962. The vertical stereo speaker placement is weird and so is the Caravelle (wrist watch) clock. It's currently resting in my garage awaiting cleaning...it smells like "old lady".

clock face numbers are kinda fun



Post# 531527 , Reply# 25   7/19/2011 at 00:04 (4,637 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
radio open

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this is a tube amp/tuner

Post# 531528 , Reply# 26   7/19/2011 at 00:06 (4,637 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
pull-out turntable

twintubdexter's profile picture
dusty & dirty but it works

Post# 531567 , Reply# 27   7/19/2011 at 08:30 (4,636 days old) by gmmcnair (Portland, OR)        
"Those old stereo/hi-fi's are just beautiful! I can

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They really do have beautiful sound, especially the higher end Magnavoxes, Zeniths, & RCA Victors. I'm not an audiophile so I cannot say how "accurate" the sound is (probably isn't very) but the large 12 or 15 inch woofers with those horn tweeter but out very deep bass and nice, crisp treble without sounding shrill.

 

My old Mediterranean Astrosonic had the high end 100 watt amp and did it play loud, undistorted loud...you could hear it a couple of blocks away when it was rocking. My current French Provincial is the mid-line model, so the amp isn't as powerful, but it fills a 13 x 26 room with sound quite nicely and still has oomph to do those 15 inch woofers justice. I've listened to everything from Brahms to The B-52's on mine and it's really pleasant.

 

I wish I could find one of the Astrosonics that had the older changer.....the Collaro changer with the curved tonearm could mix and automatically change records of any size instead of the standard 7, 10, & 12.

 

I bet that old Westinghouse has wonderful sound once it's cleaned up as well. I had an old MW Airline that was Westinghouse built many years ago. It was all tube, and it produced nice sound with its VM changer. FM was mono with hookup for FM multiplex. Sorry I let that one go.


Post# 531721 , Reply# 28   7/20/2011 at 00:15 (4,636 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I miss the Magnavox Hi-fis too-my Mom used to have a tubed Concert Grand model-it sounded wonderful-an "audiophile" would be pleased with it.She got rid of it years ago.The speakers in it were biamped-unusual for a console hi fi.The woofer was fed from a separate amp and the tweeter had its own amp.15" woofer Cast frame no less-and a tweeter horn.Now I am on the continuing search for a Concert Grand-so rare out here-no Maggie dealers in this area-closest were Raleigh and Charlotte.so the Magnavox sets are rare my way.And My Moms Magnavox sounded so super when I played a CD player thru it!Miss that unit so much.

Post# 531725 , Reply# 29   7/20/2011 at 01:24 (4,636 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

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This is my small 1961 Saba 2000 stereo 11 console. It has an FM multiplex adapter. I really like it's sound. I have a few other Saba radios and I really like them.


Post# 531893 , Reply# 30   7/20/2011 at 19:09 (4,635 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago)        
Armoire

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Twintubdexter, I LOVE the Armoire. The Magnavox catalog does not do it justice.
Truly stunning. Fortunately you have the room for it. Blends beautifully with your things.


Post# 532035 , Reply# 31   7/21/2011 at 14:55 (4,634 days old) by drewz (Alexandria, Virginia)        

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Check out this Magnavox monster!

Love that RCA Victor Hutch, those were the top of the line at the time, they had a short run from 1960-1963 I think.

I would have snapped that puppy up in a heartbeat! I love those things!

But as someone said alot of people thought they were just a piece of dining room furniture.

I liked the sound from these units because the speakers were mounted high up in the cabinet off the floor.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO drewz's LINK on eBay


Post# 532066 , Reply# 32   7/21/2011 at 17:48 (4,634 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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I love that Westinghouse and the Saba. A friend of mine has two of those Italian Provincial Magnavox armoires, considering a collector is trying to sell the one on eBay, $450 seems good for a working set, even with the modification to the non remote radio, changer, and television. I found a pretty RCA French Provincial armoire in our Fort Pierce Goodwill, some one took out the television and the record player. The speakers and a pathetic control panel receiver are still in it. It sits on legs, and is slightly less than six feet tall. Here's the Italian Provincial eBay set again:


Post# 532067 , Reply# 33   7/21/2011 at 17:49 (4,634 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        
In luxurious Meditteranean

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1970 model line:


Post# 532071 , Reply# 34   7/21/2011 at 17:55 (4,634 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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Or the more traditional format:


Post# 532118 , Reply# 35   7/22/2011 at 00:26 (4,634 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
more comments

twintubdexter's profile picture

that Saba if very nice, small and elegant...gotta love that lighted turntable
comparment

Paul, thanks for the nice compliment on the armoire

Alan, great Magnavox brochures...looks like you've been taking lessons from our
mutual friend Mike in Tennessee (who ever heard of owning 65+ Magnavox console
and component stereo pieces?)...what a collection!

this keeps coming up on auction near me at an estate liquidator...no bids so I assume you could get it for very little $...I'm not crazy about TV/Stereo combos, I was told this was the first series of the Magnavox Star System television


Post# 532119 , Reply# 36   7/22/2011 at 00:28 (4,634 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
kind of attractive

twintubdexter's profile picture
and it looks like it's in good shape

Post# 532121 , Reply# 37   7/22/2011 at 00:32 (4,634 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
here's the speaker base

twintubdexter's profile picture
in my armoire with the covers removed...you can see why is sounds so good...it's nice to see people show an interest in these old consoles

Post# 532122 , Reply# 38   7/22/2011 at 00:34 (4,634 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

The above picture shows that Hi Fi has some very nice speakers-some folks out there are just itching to put those in their "G fiddle" amps!

Post# 532126 , Reply# 39   7/22/2011 at 02:55 (4,634 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        
Twintubdexter

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I guess you, me and Mike are in the Magnavox club on Yahoo. Well, I know Mike is, I consider him and Jim Murphy to be Astro-Sonic experts, Mike's focus is mostly solid state, with some tube Imperials and Windsors.  I love the products from the mid '40s to the last "real" Magnavox products, before Phillips destroyed them. I found the brochure pics on Ebay, it was the tv brochure I failed to pick up at the dealer when I was haunting them. I was surprised to find out back in their heyday that they made more than console stereos.

 

How about one of the coffee table models?


Post# 532127 , Reply# 40   7/22/2011 at 03:15 (4,634 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Besides the coffee table sets-don't forget the "chairside" Magnavox Hi Fi systems.Used to know a neighbor that had one-great sound!the unit that contained the TT,tuner-amp and one speaker system was beside his chair-the other unit on the other side of the room.

Post# 532132 , Reply# 41   7/22/2011 at 04:51 (4,634 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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Yes, I have the contemporary chairside unit myself, dates to around 1968, I do not have the companion speaker/record storage though. I found both of them months before I bought the one I found.

(ebay picture:)


Post# 532137 , Reply# 42   7/22/2011 at 07:37 (4,634 days old) by drewz (Alexandria, Virginia)        
Magnavox Cabinet Maker?

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Does anyone here know who the cabinet makers were for Magnavox?

I know GE was William Tell, RCA Victor made alot of their own furniture in the RCA Victor Furniture Factory & Lane did some in their Alavista, Virginia furniture factory and Fisher cabinets were made by Drexel. 

 

By far whoever made Magnavox cabinets was the best!


Post# 532150 , Reply# 43   7/22/2011 at 09:46 (4,633 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Henredon

I had a stereo that was part of a collection created for Magnavox by Henredon in the early to mid 70's.  I saw the catalog at a furniture store where I was buying some upholstered pieces.


Post# 532621 , Reply# 44   7/24/2011 at 17:09 (4,631 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago)        
Cabinets

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I don't know who made Magnavox cabinets. Wish I did know...
I know some anecdotal stuff.
Admiral had their own cabinet plant in Shelbyville, Indiana.
Zenith bought a Philco cabinet plant at some point. I think their later stereo cabs came from there.
GE also had connections with Ethan Allen. I know Ethan Allen TVs were rebadged GEs in Ethan Allen cabinets.
And of course, Curtis Mathes started as a cabinet plant and later turned in to a TV/STEREO manufacturer.
I remember veteran TV repairmen stating that the best cabinets were from Magnavox and DuMont.


Post# 532691 , Reply# 45   7/25/2011 at 05:52 (4,631 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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I know Drexel did the Magnavox Windsor models in the '40s and early '50s. I believe most of the cabinets were made in Greeneville, Tennessee. A friend of mine mentioned the name Kimball, not the organ people.


Post# 733785 , Reply# 46   2/8/2014 at 16:01 (3,701 days old) by amarks99 ()        
Help with identifying this console

Any ideas what this unit is? date of mfg? Anything?

Having a hard time finding any info on it on the web. Looking to donate or sell it to someone more interested in this than I am.


Post# 733924 , Reply# 47   2/9/2014 at 07:53 (3,700 days old) by 112561 (River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        
To amarks99

112561's profile picture
The set is at least a 1969 Magnavox Total Automatic Color Mediterranean armoire. Anything newer would have a roll out record player and different trimming on the record player. I'm sure you won't have a great deal of trouble getting rid of it, and it is way too nice to go somewhere that someone would gut it and "repurpose" it.

Post# 734087 , Reply# 48   2/9/2014 at 19:21 (3,700 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        

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hi amarks99 - I have a friend who lives in San Carlos ; being a musician, he might be interested in your unit...
are you posting it for sale in the near future?



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