1969 Zenith Console (45 record demo)

Top of the line in 1969. Fully restored Z960. The record changer was made by Zenith. It is both belt and idler wheel driven to isolate motor rumble. Is has a pop out dust brush and a short arm to check the record size. The 45 adapter pops up from the platter when needed.

[@dewey70]

That sounds amazing, esp considering its original 45s. What an awesome console. I love that turntable.

[@silversurfer493]

The TT obviously has a speed issue …. Wow and flutter all the time…

[@cliffordstaten2082]

Buying A Stereo Console Was Like Buying A Pice Of Furniture. But With Awesome Sound!

[@jayc4605]

Wow. That looks like the console stereo to have. Excellent ❤️❤️❤️

[@GLC2013]

They made such beautiful consoles in the '50s and '60s. I was so sorry when "rack systems" took over and people's houses started looking like industrial loft garage sales. This looks very similar to my 1965 ClairTone. Wish the video showed more of that unique instrument panel. A guy who services these told me the reason big Zenith console phonographs sound so tinny today is due to a resistor or capacitor dry-rot issue; supposedly replacing them gives them back the big bass RIAA curve sound again. This isn't an issue with Grundig and Motorola consoles, whose record players still have a good sound today.

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

Capacitors and resistors are issues with all vintage brands....they use the same components. They must be checked and replaced when out of spec . Tubes or transistors as well . Grundigs are the worst for out of spec components and crappy sound.

[@GLC2013]

@@gregsvintageconsoles3673 I've had 3 Zenith stereo consoles and they all had phonograph issues. My 1959 Motorola and 1958 Grundig have both sounded fantastic with nothing but replacement JJ tubes for pre amp and amp. My current Zenith is a stereo TV combo from 1961 and the phonograph sounds very tinny, though the radio sounds great - or used to, it's starting to go tinny also. The circuitry is stupidly sealed up in a metal box inside and removing it is almost impossible, so very difficult to service. My Grundig by contrast is the easiest to service, just remove retainers and slide chassis out.

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

@@GLC2013 I hate working on Grundigs....they by far have the most electrolytic caps to replace and many are buried in that tiny chassis and difficult to get get to. Sure its easy to pull the chassis but thats the easy part in any resto. If you Zenith sounds tinny it needs servicing or wasnt serviced properly. I like Motorolas....easy to work on and sound fantastic when restored.

[@GLC2013]

@@gregsvintageconsoles3673 The worst part about the Grundig is the guy who serviced it didn't replace any of those little caps, he just soldered on one big huge one underneath to absorb the low hum of the house current. That didn't last long so the hum came back after a year or two. Wish I could find someone who could work on the Zenith. It's a gorgeous cabinet and like a museum from 1960 inside; so I'd hate to cut so many soldered wires and damage the knobs trying to get the chassis out. Plus I don't know how I'd ever open it if I did, welded shut. UGH.

[@Meridian83West]

I always liked the "clamshell" 45 adapter on these changers that folds into the platter when you play LP's or any other small-hole records. Since the adapter is never removed, you can't lose it.

[@Jammerk40]

Nice restoration and that thing plays right on the speed it's supposed too! Wonderful machine!

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

yes....I completely services the record changer

[@jasonadams371]

just recently picked up one of these mainly for the circle of sound turntable with the built in 45 adapter great unit the one I have needs a lot of work don't know if the unit is savable but I do believe the turntable will be salvagable

[@dexx600]

Old consoles like Zenith, RCA Victor, Magnavox, Westinghouse, Admiral, Wards Airline, Motorola, Arvin, General Electric, V-M The Voice of Music, Olympic, Packard-Bell, Philco, Sylvania, Columbia Masterwork, Sears Silvertone, Electrophonic, Penncrest, Capehart, Truetone, etc.

[@pumasgoya]

Don't forget Grundig and Telefunken.

[@ronalddegoeij8046]

good music buddy holly

[@neilmansfield8329]

Thus us a good record player and record

[@Zickcermacity]

Can you post the model # of that console please? I'd love to research a manual for it and find out what "Brilliance" does for it.

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

It’s a z960. Brilliance is mid range tone control in simple terms.