Pam Kueber - September 10, 2008, Updated: September 10, 2008
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Heidi Swanksays
I have an early 1960s Grundig Majestic stereo console that I picked up for about $200 at a second hand store. It’s complete with the customs paperwork from its trip from Warsaw, Poland and the tag that says “You saw this product advertised in Life.” The finish is in mint condition, except for one small blemish. However, the tubes are in desperate need of cleaning and the turntable, which used to work when I bought it, has stopped turning. I live in Las Vegas. Does anyone know where I could take the stereo to get it fixed? I’m more than willing to drive it to LA, if necessary. Thanks!
astrosonicalsays
For pictures, I think Pam inserts them at the moment, she or one of the other members might clue you in. To tell the difference between tube and transistor, tubes require about a minute to warm up and provide sound. Transistor on your set may say “Solid State” or “New Vista”. Tubes are preferred by audiophiles for their rich sound. And if you have tape input jacks on the back, you can plug in an iPod or a CD player. I have a wireless transmitter all my radios can pick up, those are handy. Enjoy!
Shellysays
Thank you!! It was so neat to see our kids go from “what’s that????” to “that’s so cool!!!”. The cabinet stands about 26″ H by 46″L and 17″D. The top is definately formica, while the front appears to be a “teakish” toned wood. I’ll confess I don’t know the difference between a tube and transistor..:) How do I tell??? I’d be more than happy to post a pic if you could tell me how…:)
Shelly
astrosonicalsays
Congrats Shelly! Is your set tube or transistor? Large or small? What style? Inquiring minds want to know! Dancing to Ella in the soon to be rec room in your ’57 ranch sounds like my kind of happy! I’ll check the internet and see if I can find some clues.
Shellysays
I’m so stoked to have found you all! We’re in the process of remodelling our 1957 ranch basement with a mid century vibe. I drove past my neighbors’ this afternoon and spied a victor stereo console out by the garage…they gave it to us…we brought it home, plugged it in, and danced to Ella all afternoon! Any ideas on how I could find out more about the model??? the model # is VLT 16 W…
Thanks in advance!
shelly, way to go. dumpster diver of the day award to you!
astrosonicalsays
It’s cool if the original components are wrecked beyond repair, I found an empty set with just the changer left in it. It’s disturbing when people have been known to empty perfect usable sets for projects. Also, a lot of console systems had built in bar components, like some of the European manufacturers during the height of the Cocktail Era.
Femme1says
Just yesterday, my normal thrifting day, I happened upon a wonderful stereo console in the Salvation Army for $20. It was an RCA model and the cabinet looked a lot like the Broyhill Brasilia line. The top needed refinishing though. I have absolutely NO room for it or I would have snapped it up—it would have made a great bar cabinet or to contain modern stereo components.
Anitasays
The finish on the piece is perfect, much nicer in person than in the photo! On Christmas day I got out some of my families 33RPM Christmas albums and played them on the console and it was truly a blast from the past for us to listen to the sound coming from the imperfect records on this tube stereo. It is without question the best find I’ve ever had (though my vintage oriental lamps are a close 2nd)!
astrosonicalsays
Even though I have 7 consoles of various sizes, and people do collect them, they are not hot in mainstream venues, like pocket transistors of the ’50s and ’60s, etc. Tube sets are most desirable because of their sound quality. I like the Astro-Sonics (transistor amplified) from Magnavox that were offered from 1962 to around 1975. Most manufacturers went strictly transistor by 1964. I am no expert by any stretch, I’m going by what I’ve seen in ads and what I’ve owned. I tried to start collecting all that kind of thing before the home computer era, so I’m grandfathered in. I hope they will get hot before the techies take all of them apart. And you know, the cabinets make great patio carts and liquor cabinets. Eeek!!
astrosonicalsays
That’s a beautiful set. I’ll bet it has a BSR changer in it. Other great sets of the period are General Electric, Westinghouse, Sylvania, Zenith, RCA Victor and Magnavox. Yours is especially nice with the glossy finish. Must sound like a dream too!
Thanks, Astrosonical, for giving us this info on the other great sets of the period. I will watch for ads and feature them over time. Are there any model years that are particularly collectible? Many thanks!
Heidi Swank says
I have an early 1960s Grundig Majestic stereo console that I picked up for about $200 at a second hand store. It’s complete with the customs paperwork from its trip from Warsaw, Poland and the tag that says “You saw this product advertised in Life.” The finish is in mint condition, except for one small blemish. However, the tubes are in desperate need of cleaning and the turntable, which used to work when I bought it, has stopped turning. I live in Las Vegas. Does anyone know where I could take the stereo to get it fixed? I’m more than willing to drive it to LA, if necessary. Thanks!
astrosonical says
For pictures, I think Pam inserts them at the moment, she or one of the other members might clue you in. To tell the difference between tube and transistor, tubes require about a minute to warm up and provide sound. Transistor on your set may say “Solid State” or “New Vista”. Tubes are preferred by audiophiles for their rich sound. And if you have tape input jacks on the back, you can plug in an iPod or a CD player. I have a wireless transmitter all my radios can pick up, those are handy. Enjoy!
Shelly says
Thank you!! It was so neat to see our kids go from “what’s that????” to “that’s so cool!!!”. The cabinet stands about 26″ H by 46″L and 17″D. The top is definately formica, while the front appears to be a “teakish” toned wood. I’ll confess I don’t know the difference between a tube and transistor..:) How do I tell??? I’d be more than happy to post a pic if you could tell me how…:)
Shelly
astrosonical says
Congrats Shelly! Is your set tube or transistor? Large or small? What style? Inquiring minds want to know! Dancing to Ella in the soon to be rec room in your ’57 ranch sounds like my kind of happy! I’ll check the internet and see if I can find some clues.
Shelly says
I’m so stoked to have found you all! We’re in the process of remodelling our 1957 ranch basement with a mid century vibe. I drove past my neighbors’ this afternoon and spied a victor stereo console out by the garage…they gave it to us…we brought it home, plugged it in, and danced to Ella all afternoon! Any ideas on how I could find out more about the model??? the model # is VLT 16 W…
Thanks in advance!
Mid Mod Pam says
shelly, way to go. dumpster diver of the day award to you!
astrosonical says
It’s cool if the original components are wrecked beyond repair, I found an empty set with just the changer left in it. It’s disturbing when people have been known to empty perfect usable sets for projects. Also, a lot of console systems had built in bar components, like some of the European manufacturers during the height of the Cocktail Era.
Femme1 says
Just yesterday, my normal thrifting day, I happened upon a wonderful stereo console in the Salvation Army for $20. It was an RCA model and the cabinet looked a lot like the Broyhill Brasilia line. The top needed refinishing though. I have absolutely NO room for it or I would have snapped it up—it would have made a great bar cabinet or to contain modern stereo components.
Anita says
The finish on the piece is perfect, much nicer in person than in the photo! On Christmas day I got out some of my families 33RPM Christmas albums and played them on the console and it was truly a blast from the past for us to listen to the sound coming from the imperfect records on this tube stereo. It is without question the best find I’ve ever had (though my vintage oriental lamps are a close 2nd)!
astrosonical says
Even though I have 7 consoles of various sizes, and people do collect them, they are not hot in mainstream venues, like pocket transistors of the ’50s and ’60s, etc. Tube sets are most desirable because of their sound quality. I like the Astro-Sonics (transistor amplified) from Magnavox that were offered from 1962 to around 1975. Most manufacturers went strictly transistor by 1964. I am no expert by any stretch, I’m going by what I’ve seen in ads and what I’ve owned. I tried to start collecting all that kind of thing before the home computer era, so I’m grandfathered in. I hope they will get hot before the techies take all of them apart. And you know, the cabinets make great patio carts and liquor cabinets. Eeek!!
astrosonical says
That’s a beautiful set. I’ll bet it has a BSR changer in it. Other great sets of the period are General Electric, Westinghouse, Sylvania, Zenith, RCA Victor and Magnavox. Yours is especially nice with the glossy finish. Must sound like a dream too!
Mid Mod Pam says
Thanks, Astrosonical, for giving us this info on the other great sets of the period. I will watch for ads and feature them over time. Are there any model years that are particularly collectible? Many thanks!