View Full Version : Zenith TV trade - Chromacolor II and SC500 portable


Snade
05-12-2008, 02:39 PM
The Zenith SC 500 I found here (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160351) was a nice addition to Doug's collection, and I always wanted a Zenith console, so I traded the SC 500 for one of Doug's Chromacolor II consoles. Doug delivered it yesterday.

I love this Chromacolor II. The picture is incredible. (Model: F4560P, Chassis: 23FC45))

Thanks Doug (AK member: drh4683), good trade for me. This TV is very cool.

Some photos of the Chromacolor II (my old Zenith tube radio on top):

http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_1.jpg


http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_6.jpg


http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_2.jpg


This photo does not do the picture justice, the picture is bright and sharp - amazing.

http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_3.jpg


http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_4.jpg


The solid state chassis sits vertically and folds outward from the back for
easier servicing - great Zenith design and engineering (I learned this from Doug).

http://www.gallagher.com/photos/2008/zenith/zenith_tv_5.jpg


Cheers, Mark (aka Snade)

radiotvnut
05-12-2008, 03:28 PM
Nice set! Isn't that a '75 model? We had a Zenith with that same control layout. It was one I picked up around '94. Put a new tripler in it and it served our family well for years until my Mother bought a wall unit and said the console had to go. Hang on to that set as even those '70's CCII's are getting harder to find by the day.

drh4683
05-12-2008, 05:59 PM
That set looks great after some simple clean up! That set does have an incredible picture and was hardly used. Pleased that you enjoy it. I too really enjoy the sc500 table set. Its such a clean low hour set. Its been getting frequent use since I fixed it up. My goal is to have one of every 4 tube hybrid model in really nice condition. Im up to 6 of them now! There are quite a few different models including hotel and hospital sets.

Your chorma II also has the "good" orange safety cap too which was replaced. That set is indeed a '75 and zenith was using good quality components including a solid state turret tuner. I like this particular model as it has the more rounded rectangular 23" CRT like the '60s rectangular sets. Chorma II's really were zeniths best sets IMO. Thanks again Mark!

radiotvnut
05-12-2008, 10:15 PM
I was wondering, does that console have instant on or was '75 too new for that? I have ran into 2 or 3 Zenith upright chassis sets with instant on.

Snade
05-12-2008, 10:20 PM
I was wondering, does that console have instant on or was '75 too new for that? I have ran into 2 or 3 Zenith upright chassis sets with instant on.

When you turn it on, the sound is instant, but the picture tube takes several seconds to show a clear picture.

But it's worth the wait. :yes:

radiotvnut
05-12-2008, 10:47 PM
That set looks great after some simple clean up! That set does have an incredible picture and was hardly used. Pleased that you enjoy it. I too really enjoy the sc500 table set. Its such a clean low hour set. Its been getting frequent use since I fixed it up. My goal is to have one of every 4 tube hybrid model in really nice condition. Im up to 6 of them now! There are quite a few different models including hotel and hospital sets.

Your chorma II also has the "good" orange safety cap too which was replaced. That set is indeed a '75 and zenith was using good quality components including a solid state turret tuner. I like this particular model as it has the more rounded rectangular 23" CRT like the '60s rectangular sets. Chorma II's really were zeniths best sets IMO. Thanks again Mark!

Doug, do you have any 23" or 25" Zenith 4-tube hybrid's in your stash? Around here, the 19" sets were more common than the larger screen models. The one I hate I missed was a 23" or 25" 4-tube hybrid in a steel cabinet. I was about 14 and my mother took me out to this old man's house in the country to pick it up. He told me that the CRT had recently been changed. We proceeded to load it and the darn thing wouldn't fit in my Mothers' car. I heard it all the way home about how I didn't need that big thing and she was not making another trip that far out of town in the van to get it. I haven't seen another one since. This one had red spotlit dials and what appeared to be one of those Sylvania dark face CRT's installed.

Yes, it would be neat if you could find a hospital version of the 4-tube hybrid. I'm sure those are very rare.

sampson159
05-12-2008, 10:57 PM
NICE ZENITH! i remember those sets and how good they are.never saw one with
even a weak crt.bulletproof.i have a similiar one :plastic and particle board cabinet. yours is real wood,lucky.lucky man.