My First Console

elcoholic

elcoholic

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Joined
Apr 19, 2013
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My friend gave me his recently passed away dad's Heathkit console. I hooked it all up and it works after sitting unused for 20 years! Doesn't sound half bad actually. I cycled the 1019 through by hand and no binding so I gave it a try too. It works, maybe too well, as it won't shut off. I can't find much on the Knight 830HC speakers. I'm guessing that may mean 8 ohms / 30 watts. I found one reference that they were made by Jensen.

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That's a cool looking console. I remember I used to play with a fold top record player and built-in speakers my Aunt and Uncle owned. What a blast I had.
 
joeinid said:
That's a cool looking console. I remember I used to play with a fold top record player and built-in speakers my Aunt and Uncle owned. What a blast I had.
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We had one in my family as well. Used to love playing records on it. What a blast down memory lane!
 
dlb2 said:
Cool looking console. The speakers almost look like Electro-Voice's.
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I was thinking the same thing, the tweeter especially.

Very cool console.

Had a friend of mine leave a '52 Stewart Warner 951-D console on my porch recently.
I guess I deleted the pics of the console itself, but it is in very good shape (Honduras Mahogany).
It has a record player also, just missing the speaker (Dynamic speaker thank goodness).

I did not really want it to be honest, but then it occurred to me, it should make for a fine guitar cabinet with a Jensen 8".
8 tube 2.5w amplifier AM/phono, I'm hoping it will be similar in sound to a Fender Champ.

Its pretty small for a console, so it would be the perfect size for a practice amp and should offer some decent tone after a check out/full recap.

[video]http://acimg.auctivacommerce.com/imgdata/0/1/0/6/9/6/webimg/3739926.jpg[/video]

Should be a fun fairly cheap project.

You should be able to adapt a plug to most any console, ss or tubes.
If you play guitar, a console would be a great "multi tasker".
 

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Dinner music from an iPod or the tuner sounds great on it so far. I have to get the Dual sorted and properly installed very soon. Any advice on tightening the bass?
 
Whose that little guy in the lower left of the photo?

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elcoholic said:
Dinner music from an iPod or the tuner sounds great on it so far. I have to get the Dual sorted and properly installed very soon. Any advice on tightening the bass?
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I wouldn't want to steer you wrong, so you might do some research, but something like the Blackhole 5 might pay some dividends.
Blackhole 5 Enclosure Damping
I have never used it, but have read it does what is claims.
I think alittle goes along way from what I have read.


Is that a cardboard port tube in the bottom of the cabinet?
 
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very skeptical of on on-line product offering north of $15 sf that doesn't even have any pictures of the product. I know that seeing isn't always believing, but it's something. Nevertheless I'll do some research on it after work. Yes there are cardboard tube ports. I'm not sure if they increase the bass at the expense of tightness or not?
 
Very nice John, that ought to keep you busy for awhile. As mentioned above I would try dampening the enclosures a little bit and see if that doesn’t tighten up the bass a bit.
 
Sorry John, I should have clarified, that link is to an authorized dealer, and not the company that makes the product.
I have bought from them many times (not Blackhole 5 however).

My thoughts were there are many companies that make similar, Blackhole 5 making the "constrained layer" type.

Not sure the vintage bug will hit you as hard as it has me, but some friendly advice would be to research a "dim bulb tester" (poor man's variac) for future "vintage" finds.
It is not the best of ideas to just plug an old component directly into the wall (If working condition is unknown).
It would be better to bring the current up slowly, and be alerted to any shorts before doing some very expensive damage to your transformers, or worse.
Very handy thing to have laying around for future "treasures" you may run across.
 
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Twisted said:
Sorry John, I should have clarified, that link is to an authorized dealer, and not the company that makes the product.
I have bought from them many times (not Blackhole 5 however).

My thoughts were there are many companies that make similar, Blackhole 5 making the "constrained layer" type.

Not sure the vintage bug will hit you as hard as it has me, but some friendly advice would be to research a "dim bulb tester" (poor man's variac) for future "vintage" finds.
It is not the best of ideas to just plug an old component directly into the wall (If working condition is unknown).
It would be better to bring the current up slowly, and be alerted to any shorts before doing some very expensive damage to your transformers, or worse.
Very handy thing to have laying around for future "treasures" you may run across.
Click to expand...

Welcome.jpg - - - Twisted
 
I will keep an eye out for a variac. I might actually have one that belongs to the same friend. I have several boxes of electronics "stuff", some tubes, in the garage that I'm waiting for a friend to come over and assess. I thought they were more a precaution for tube gear because of the relatively higher voltages seen by the components. I guess I have been lucky not to smoke something so far, but I've yet to snag a holy grail type treasure so far. Thanks for the tip.
 
Ah my friend..beautiful...

On the Dual, you know how that goes...one of the triggers is either gummed or worn - I would say the STorm pimple (you know what I mean) but that usually is what causes the auto start, auto stop to not work. You'll have to put her up on some tall cans and see what is not working underneath.

How do the speakers sound? You have so much room, you could literally MOUNT a pair in there ...congrats !
 
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