Fisher Custom Electra - E492-CF

[Motorola minion]

After finding this 1967 Fisher on CL curb alert a few years ago, lingered on a cart at the back of my shop for a while but I finally pulled it out, knowing it might be a simple fix and flip. I must downsize and this is one way to do it, low-hanging fruit of easy fixes.

The 21R chassis was dead on the AC side and I traced that to the "automatic shutoff" rocker-slide switch right there on the front panel, barely rated for AC switching duty and next to muting, mono and speaker switches. This switch is used to shut off the amplifier after the last record has played or keep it on until the receiver is turned off. This feature is a hold-over from the tube models when you did not want the amp to shut off after a record has played, keeping tubes warm until you can get up to change records, etc.

The big surprise came when using an ESR tester on all the large-value electrolytic capacitors, mostly German-made ERO - pale yellow overwrap. These indicated low ESR and "in circuit/leaky" and would not display a value. For an ESR tester, the Peak ESR 70 is almost the best I have ever used and is almost never wrong about a cap, which I can check on a standard eye-tube tester that tests at circuit design voltages up to 400v.

I decided to power up this receiver after confirming there are no shorts in power supply or low impedances in both output circuits, much less a blown fuse. No work appeared to be done on this well-built chassis and its confirmed by the large pop-in (auto-dome light style) dial lights were original. I immediately got noise on FM and as it "woke up" began -to receive more stations after I connected the roof antenna. The Dual 1010 record player is a 4-speed version of the 1009, which I am more than familiar with. This needs only an idler wheel, which was so hardened and noisy yet ran at all speeds. The Pickering V15-III cart seemed ok as well as the cartridge head connector, a usual issue with these players.

This is a surprise to work almost with nothing done but a thorough cleaning of pots with DeOxit. Especially since the E-caps were otherwise suspect, it is a bigger surprise its playing for 4 days now at all volumes. The only issue is a loose connection on the mpx decoder board, causing it to drop stereo pilot when tapped. Otherwise it sounds like a good solid state console should. The cabinet is supposed to look like walnut, noted in catalog as "country French"

Fisher E492CF.jpg (93.68 KiB) Viewed 2422 times

Fisher 21R chassis.jpg (97.13 KiB) Viewed 2422 times

Once the player is ready, I will try to sell this one. Fisher used germanium transistors DTG110, so that is a potential issue of any high-hours console. I have three other Fisher consoles, all of higher caste but this one is the only all-SS Fisher I have worked on besides a '67 Statesman with multiple- issue 31R chassis, parted it out due to the outrageous style cabinet made with lots of particleboard.

[William]

That's a nice looking console, Dave. I wish you luck selling it.

Bill

[Firedome]

Those 21R/220T receivers must be pretty durable, my Dad bought a 220T to which he matched a too-inefficient pr of 4 ohm AR-3s, in 1967, along with a Garrard AT-60 Mk II & Pickering V-15, and despite my cruel abuse of it, and the very heavy impedence load imposed, it survived at least up to the mid-90s after a move to FL, then went somewhere unknown in another move around them. They must be pretty rugged to take all that I'd say!

Being fairly compact for a console might make it easier to sell, I'd think.

[electra225]

It's hard to imagine someone just tossing something like that.

[hermitcrab]

I love the fishers ... wish I was close enough ...there is a diplomat about 50 miles away on FB and it looks like new , there are asking 150 and they just might get it...

[electra225]

I have a Buick Electra Custom.

Wonder why Fisher let Buick use their nomenclature?

[Motorola minion]

I have a Buick Electra Custom.

Wonder why Fisher let Buick use their nomenclature?

Electra is one Fisher model name that seems meaningless unless marketing to satisfied Buick owners, considering the castes like Statesman, Diplomat, Ambassador and President.

[Motorola minion]

I would not call this a light console, though its not much bigger than some SS Zenith (Z-927) consoles of similar cabinet styles.

The extensive use of particle board and veneered hardwood including the fully-enclosed speakers, makes it heavy. I use a roll-about cart for servicing such bulky items as TVs.

The last item is to swap is a better idler pully wheel in the Dual 1010. Hoping its the same as a 1009.

[Firedome]

After about '63/64 or so it seems Fisher started using a lot more particle board, making for some heavy consoles. I had a '61 or 62 Fisher console that was all fruitwood in French Provincial style and all solid or solid/veneered wood that wasn't nearly as heavy as some about the same size that came from Fisher later. While their cabinets became somewhat more cheaply made at least the electronics and changers/TTs remained at a high level of quality.

[Firedome]

Was re-reading this thread today...
On the use of the Electra name -- Fisher used it starting in 1955, iirc Buick Roadmaster became the Electra in...1959.
A family friend bought a new black Electra 4 dr flat-top in Fall '58 and had his picture in the paper as the first local owner of a '59 Buick purchased from Brooks Buick in MD that Fall.