Well I came across this free in a CL ad, there was also a old hoffman tv, already have a philco so don't need another, decide to grab the stereo. even though it looked solid state, I figure heck I could always pass it on. But it is a tuber :banana: well here it is in all of its 50+ years of dust. It is a model WG-2684A. Just look at that amp :banana:, The cabinet is pretty torn up with its hot pink nail polish, kitty clawed grille cloth and slight water damage. I haven't decide if I should gut it and use the gorgeous amp in my system or to keep it whole. What do you guys think?? Right now its blocking the kitchen door so thats one con :lol:

To the Shop Vac, Watson!!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3134464930_a296893387.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/3133643323_3ffa16477c.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/3133643341_4a6dc44231.jpg

That doesnt look too bad. I would keep it whole. Thats all people seem to do with these anymore. I have a soft spot for them. The only reason I would see to gut them it if they are totally trashed. They dont make them anymore and if people keep stripping them they will all be gone.
John

More photo's and info.

Tube line up:
4-6BQ5
2-7025
1-5Y3
1-5U4
2-12AU7
2-6AU6
1-6AL5
2-6BA6
1-6BE6
1-6AB4
1-12AT7
1-6CB6

Amp and tuner
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3134710030_83618294e8_o.jpg

Turntable
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3134181671_449c1974bf.jpg

I guess the amp was also used in a Coronado console one sold on ehell(http://tinyurl.com/84r8zv), all the tubes are wells gardner. I won't axe as of now, it is dead and will require a complete recap

Looks like a decent quality console and a system in need of a little TLC. The electronics sure look like they are worthy of restoration and the speakers look like they are worth hanging onto.

Well, since you asked, I'll toss in my 2 cents...

An Airline has no collector value, not that that's the key issue. But, that certainly would play into my decision as to whether or not to dedicate the floor space to it.

1. No collector value.
2. Cabinet is beat.
3. It takes up space
4. Speakers are so close together there will be no stereo imaging.
5. Tubes!

I'd keep the amp & tuner, listen to the drivers before I made a decision on them, and toss the cabinet. Just me.

As always, ymmv.

That's got a Voice of Music record changer in it..that alone may be worth something to someone. Even more of a plus if there's no "Airline" script on it and it has a black finish to boot..There's also a Voice of Music website with alot of different offerings..may be of some interest there too.

Old tube consoles like this are the poor man's way of getting into tube audio. Of course, that could very well change one of these days as these become harder to find and people show more interest in these. I'd try to keep this together if possible; but, that's just my opinion since I like these old consoles. I wouldn't mind finding some of the better consoles, even if just to pass them along to someone else who would enjoy them. Unfortunately, all I'm finding around here are those '70's el cheapo particleboard jobs that are often overpriced. Yours is a Wells-Gardner built unit and they also built electronics for Western Auto (Truetone), Grants (Bradford), Gamble's (Coronado), JC Penny (Penncrest), etc.

Well, since you asked, I'll toss in my 2 cents...

An Airline has no collector value, not that that's the key issue. But, that certainly would play into my decision as to whether or not to dedicate the floor space to it.

1. No collector value.
2. Cabinet is beat.
3. It takes up space
4. Speakers are so close together there will be no stereo imaging.
5. Tubes!

I'd keep the amp & tuner, listen to the drivers before I made a decision on them, and toss the cabinet. Just me.

As always, ymmv.


Ah someone that understands me lol I really like the looks of the receiver but the speakers are of poor quality. Floor space is always a problem in my apartment. I already have a great set up. I'm just undecided, so many people say keep it together and I like the receiver. If I just had a garage.

While I'm normally against parting out consoles, that one is beat enough to where I'd have no problem doing it. It just bugs me when people take gorgeous pieces, gut them and turn the cabinet into firewood. Stuff thats already decently beat I have a lot less objection to using for parts. Seems like the tuner could be built into a small cabinet of it's own, and the amp mounted to a piece of wood or something to make a nice stand-alone unit.

Also I dont think Wells-Gardner made any of their own tubes. If those have EIA numbers on them, you could look up who really made them.

I may junk it, I don't think its possible to change the grille cloth with out disassembling the whole cabinet.

there are numbers on the tubes 39 30 79 DK

I may junk it, I don't think its possible to change the grille cloth with out disassembling the whole cabinet.

there are numbers on the tubes 39 30 79 DK

If you decide to junk it, I may be interested in the TT if you don't need it or it hasn't been spoken for. I'm always needing old record changers.

i like old radios and i think id strip it. cabinet is ugly and cat fodder (dont get me started on cats...)

id keep the electronics together for now. the face on that tuner looks just like a mcintosh mr55. probably intentional. id test it out and go from there. worst case scenario strip all and keep amp together.

Sams folder 466-4 covers this model. Not in my collection, though...

Check out the after!!!! :mrgreen:

So I got tired of looking at the horrible pink washed cabinet and stained cloth, so i went to town on it. I tired to clean the cabinet with mineral spirits..no go..then I tired carpet cleaner...no go...so out comes the big guns hand cleaner and steel wool, after 2 hours of scrubbing the pink was gone, i then went over it with restore a finish. I had to remove all the speaker and about a dozen screws to get the cloth out, the board slides out from the bottom, then I used the cloth I bought for my other speaks(need to go back to the fabric store now :cry: ). To cap it off I scrubbed the pulls and repainted gold. It does work and sound good, but the tuner is mono :cry:, I still need to recap and fix up the turntable...but come on look at the after!!!...I am proud :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/3152916614_c2b357e5c3.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3152916648_b3e437a0a1.jpg

That shure turned out nice. Aren't you glad you didn't scrap it out? A little bit of elbow grease and tlc can do wonders.

Denny

I wouldn't have thought that possible from the before photos!

Congrats!

John

That looks nice! I'm glad you were able to save it!

Excellent Job!! It turned out great. Congratulations!!!

Gilbert

Very nice! And don't dis a mono tuner. They can be amazingly sweet.:yes:

Man, is that sweet. Nice job!

And +1 on mono tuner not being a bad thing. Some of the best radios I've ever heard are mono.

One more comment on mono vs stereo in consoles such as this one. Iirc, you need a minimum of (approximately) 5' or so between the speakers to get true stereo separation and imaging/soundstage. So, if the speakers are much closer together than that, you're hearing the two channels blended together anyway. Besides, if you have that console playing while you're moving around the room, doing chores, making dinner, or whatever, you're not in the sweet spot.

Just enjoy that beautiful music!:thmbsp:

Wowie, Jason!! That turned out spectacular. Been following this thread to see what would happen to the old girl. She can sing again!

Reece

That is fine work, young man! I have a few consoles that need attention - you are inspiring me to cleanup and restore!

Thanks all, when you live in an apartment and you don't have a garage to stash things in, you get tired of looking at this beat up radios, then you get an energy rush and look out.