Can you identify this GE TV/phono/tuner console? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

phorensic · #1 05-25-2009, 12:12 PM

My dad just inherited this TV/phono/tuner set. We have no idea what it is besides the fact that it has a GE TV in the bottom area. The TV does not turn on, but the tuner fires up after a few seconds or so, so it's got to be mostly tubes hiding in the back. Late 50's electronics? Early 60's? The model number has the first few characters cut off, so Google searches weren't helping me.

We would appreciate any help you can give us!

***Eric H*** · #2 05-25-2009, 01:02 PM

Sams has a listing for a model M787YWD, the Photofact is 725-2 published in 1964 so your set is probably from 63-64.
Very nice by the way!

OvenMaster · #3 05-25-2009, 05:08 PM

That looks to me to be in beautiful shape. Here's hoping it all works properly with a minimum of work!

Tom

phorensic · #4 05-25-2009, 05:47 PM

Well, we aren't planning on restoring it unfortunately.

I still can't find anything on google with your match on the model number, even though this Sams Technical Publishing place has the manual/schematics...grrr.

***Eric H*** · #5 05-25-2009, 06:05 PM

Most combos like that aren't in much demand but that one's so nice it could be an exception!
The hard part will be finding someone who wants it for what it is and not something to gut for the cabinet.

Whirled One · #6 05-25-2009, 06:50 PM

Wow, that really looks like it's in fantastic shape!

What's really weird though, is that just this Saturday I found a GE tabletop AM/FM/phono stereo system at a garage sale that is very similar in overall appearance to the upper part of your combo. The ink on the model number tag on the back was completely faded out (perhaps it had its back to a window for a long time?), and the tube layout chart didn't state the model number either. Surprisingly, I found a listing for a similar system in an old store catalog (the model in the catalog had a vinyl-covered steel cabinet and a carrying handle; mine has a nicer veneer-covered wood cabinet), but it didn't give the GE model number. So, while digging through my SAMS folders for that general time period to see if I'd luck out, I found it..! Actually, while searching for it, I found a folder what looks like your TV combo, but now I see it's a different model. It's M786MXP (chassis MXT), and is in SAMS folder 662-2. I don't know how similar the chassis is to yours though; it does look essentially identical in the photo aside from cabinet style details.

BTW, sadly, one big difference between the GE stereo that I found and your GE TV/radio/phono combo is the record changer unit. One thing I thought was really weird when I first saw that stereo system at the garage sale was that GE actually went for a Garrard changer in that thing. ...And not a low-end one either. It appears to be a custom unit for GE, but it's got a really heavy platter like an AT-6, and even came with a single-play short spindle in addition to the long 'changer' spindle. The tone arm wasn't the normal Garrard one, but I figured it was a custom one that Garrard made for GE for brand distinction purposes (it's got the "Tonal 1" name on it that GE used on some of their 'better' lightweight arms later when GE made their own changers). Your TV/radio/phono combo appears to have a similar arm, though, even though it's on a V-M changer, so perhaps GE made the arm themselves. [It's certainly not a standard V-M arm either]

RobtWB · #7 05-25-2009, 09:32 PM

WOW

*zenithfan1* · #8 05-25-2009, 10:17 PM

Looks kinda like a liquor cabinet, I really like it. Too bad you're so far away, I'd buy it from you.