Some advice, please, re E-46X-EA

[stbasil]

I posted this on the Finds section, but didn't get any response to my question about the difficulty of restoration on this Fisher, so I thought I would post here to be more specific. William suggested it was probably a model E-46X-EA.

It's still listed on Facebook marketplace for $600, so I've been letting it age a while before engaging the seller, especially since I have no experience with Fishers. Having restored a Motorola SK111, I'm wondering about a comparison. After a little research, I know the Garrard Type A changer is viewed as "clunky" by some. But the quality of Fisher electronics is legendary, so there's that.

Questions:
Is recapping extensive? Is refurbing the changer doable? Are the speakers sealed? Plus any other opinions , advice, and answers to questions I haven't asked!

[electra225]

We could answer your questions better if we had service literature for the stereo. Chassis numbers might be required for obtaining such information. My thinking is that anything is fixable if you put effort into it and follow the rules when you do the job. If YOU like it and think you can get it going, go for it. I wouldn't go more than a couple hunge tops, but I'm cheap.

I would also totally discount any comments about a clunky changer. No changer is more clunky than a VM, but you can't kill one.

[TC Chris]

Fisher was a high-end company that, unlike other component companies, had an active focus on consoles. H.H. Scott and Marantz and Harman-Kardon would not come near an all-in-one device. Heath, which made high-performing electronics at Chevrolet prices, eventually made consoles, and if you read the "other consoles" section, you'll see my tale of restoring an AD-19. It's a console with a reconfigured (physical layout) version of their AA-14 component integrated amp.

Sometimes Fisher used component innards; sometimes they seem to have used cheaper electronics. You'll need to see if you ca find schematics or other info on that device to see which category it falls in. That would shed light on how realistic the price is.

I've got a curbside-find "Type A" Garrard out in the garage waiting its turn. They were high-quality changers in their day, but changers were generally a step down from the best turntables of the time (for example, the revered Garrard 301).

Chris Campbell

[William]

Maybe these links will help. The second link is a different model but still states it has the same chassis as the E-46X-EA.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/fisher_cu ... t_460.html

https://www.fisherconsoles.com/chadwick ... 0page.html

Bill

[chazglenn3]

Looking at the Fisher Consoles website, it looks like a 1962 Custom Electra V to me as well...

https://www.fisherconsoles.com/custom%2 ... a%20V.html

There is a link to the owners manual and service manual at the top on the page...

[Conelrad]

Those Fishers are some really good looking systems, especially the ones with the huge feet.

Dennis

[stbasil]

Thanks for all the helpful info! I've messaged the seller asking for pictures of the back with model number, we shall see....

[dave1138]

Here's a link to a Fisher console that Hotwax and I repaired a couple of years ago.
viewtopic.php?t=1061&sid=b6c6e91969f117 ... 0cd7a84b19
Fisher made some very nice equipment that is not difficult to restore. The cabinet looks like it is good condition so the price is not excessive.
Plenty of service information is readily available:https://www.fisherconsoles.com/service% ... x%20SM.pdf

[stbasil]

Well, the seller said she would try to get pix of the back last weekend, but she never got back to me. It's probably in a storage unit, too much trouble for her, so she can just leave it as-is on marketplace indefinitely until somebody bites. I really don't "need" it, y'all know how that is! Maybe I'll look at it down the road, it would be fun to restore.