Page 1 of 2
Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:35 am
by Brettzky99
I picked up this 1960 phono only Zenith from a good friend at the Kutztown PA radio swap a few months ago. I recapped it and tape input sounds great. Still need to sort out the record changer and go hunting for bad resistors. But it's a cool set. Is anyone going to the Kutztown radio show in mid September?
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:43 am
by William
I'm sure the guy in your one photo will be there. He is the one on the left with the cap and bib overhauls.
Bill
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:18 pm
by Brettzky99
William wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:43 am
I'm sure the guy in your one photo will be there. He is the one on the left with the cap and bib overhauls.
Bill
Yeah David is a buddy of mine. Has like 40+ consoles
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:20 pm
by William
I kind of figured David was a friend. Did he tell you about the forum?
Bill
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:43 pm
by Brettzky99
William wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:20 pm
I kind of figured David was a friend. Did he tell you about the forum?
Bill
No, Greg invited me from ARF after I participated on VintageHifi.net
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:56 pm
by William
I'm glad Greg did the invite, please share some of your stories on how you found your toys and if any of us can help with restoration questions please feel free to ask away.
Bill
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:19 pm
by walyfd
I should go. Haven't been there in years...
The times I did go, I didn't see consoles like those...
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:44 pm
by Firedome
Wowee wow wow!!!... if EVER there were a console for me to put in my stuffed LR this is it! Perfect match for my restored '61 RCA Color TV! (pics below). I'd have to get rid of something... the wife's hutch comes to mind LOL.
I've seen many of those 40 consoles, Dave's collection is a really nice one for sure!!
Brettzky where are you located? ....(dreaming...)
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:07 pm
by Brettzky99
Firedome wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:44 pm
Wowee wow wow!!!... if EVER there were a console for me to put in my stuffed LR this is it! Perfect match for my restored '61 RCA Color TV! (pics below). I'd have to get rid of something... the wife's hutch comes to mind LOL.
I've seen many of those 40 consoles, Dave's collection is a really nice one for sure!!
Brettzky where are you located? ....(dreaming...)
North Jersey. But I won't sell the blonde. I'll sell the walnut 61 next to it.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 4:09 pm
by Firedome
That walnut one is the cleanest, nicest design of all of them, and love the cool leg design... stylish, but a non-starter for us due to other blonde stuff in the LR. We've found that in a very small room, 12 x 17, light color wood works best.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:36 pm
by macgolf
Brettzky99 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:07 pm
Firedome wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:44 pm
Wowee wow wow!!!... if EVER there were a console for me to put in my stuffed LR this is it! Perfect match for my restored '61 RCA Color TV! (pics below). I'd have to get rid of something... the wife's hutch comes to mind LOL.
I've seen many of those 40 consoles, Dave's collection is a really nice one for sure!!
Brettzky where are you located? ....(dreaming...)
North Jersey. But I won't sell the blonde. I'll sell the walnut 61 next to it.
Nice consoles! A blonde Zenith is on my short list of consoles to add to my collection. I've only read impressions of the Zenith 12" full range drivers, and would love to hear them in action. Thanks for sharing those photos.
Mark
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 3:30 pm
by Firedome
As a wise man once said: "Everything is for sale, it's just a matter of determining the price".
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:52 pm
by walyfd
Ain't it the truth...
Back in the 70s, my aunt and uncle opened a flower shop. No idea why but whatever... my aunt had a silk arrangement she made in the window for weeks. Wouldn't sell. My uncle said: "I'll sell it." He upped the price and it sold in 2 days!
Merchandise Value Ratio... marketing targets the biggest markup in the middle. Quality DOESN'T always cost more when everything is factored in.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:55 am
by Brettzky99
macgolf wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:36 pm
Brettzky99 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:07 pm
Firedome wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:44 pm
Wowee wow wow!!!... if EVER there were a console for me to put in my stuffed LR this is it! Perfect match for my restored '61 RCA Color TV! (pics below). I'd have to get rid of something... the wife's hutch comes to mind LOL.
I've seen many of those 40 consoles, Dave's collection is a really nice one for sure!!
Brettzky where are you located? ....(dreaming...)
North Jersey. But I won't sell the blonde. I'll sell the walnut 61 next to it.
Nice consoles! A blonde Zenith is on my short list of consoles to add to my collection. I've only read impressions of the Zenith 12" full range drivers, and would love to hear them in action. Thanks for sharing those photos.
Mark
I'll have this '59 blonde for sale soon in New Jersey...it's almost done being serviced
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:47 am
by walyfd
I haven't been to that show in years. I should go this year.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:51 am
by William
Nice looking unit, Brett, I have always liked blonde. It looks like a deluxe Zenith, so I was surprised to see it single ended, but I think Zenith did that a lot and even though they are single ended they still sound great. Good luck with the sale, I am sure it will sell quickly. It's good to see you on the forum too, please, don't be a stranger.
Bill
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:17 pm
by Motorola minion
Unlike Magnavox (and most others) single-ended stereo amps using 6BQ5/EL84, Zenith often used design plate voltages over 300 volts. In this models' case, 340 volts!
No wonder you can really hear the difference if you swap out the OEM Zenith branded Amperex (made in Holland) for a standard RCA or Sylvania replacement.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:36 pm
by Brettzky99
William wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:51 am
Nice looking unit, Brett, I have always liked blonde. It looks like a deluxe Zenith, so I was surprised to see it single ended, but I think Zenith did that a lot and even though they are single ended they still sound great. Good luck with the sale, I am sure it will sell quickly. It's good to see you on the forum too, please, don't be a stranger.
Bill
That smaller amp is why it's not staying. I figured it was definitely push pull...and had to break up with it when it wasn't.
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:18 am
by William
Brett. Have you played it to see how it sounds? It might surprise you and Dave, Motorola Minion, states with the correct tubes it might surprise you.
Bill
Re: Blonde Zenith @ Kutztown show
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:28 am
by electra225
I also prefer P-P output amps to single-ended. But, I can tell you from recent experience with an instrument a lot cheaper than your Zenith that single-ended amps can sound surprisingly nice if they are set up right. Zenith ran B+ pretty hot as a general rule. You could set the bias pretty hot and it might sound pretty good.