1958 Hoffman Mono/Stereo Console Record Player

[@2packs4sure]

Hoffman didn't play around with their sound systems we had an old Hoffman TV set and it had a 10" woofer and a 3 inch tweeter.. It had excellent sound and serious bass..

[@jasonhaman4670]

Beautiflully restored, and I think that's the most fascinating console I've ever seen, with the speaker box, and most of all that frequency display. Worthy of being in a museum.

[@mikefamig]

I have one of these that I don't have the heart to throw away. It has been with me since 1958 and has sentimental value but I am ready to give it away to a good home.

[@jasonhaman4670]

Also, I love seeing kind of a Cliffs Notes of the resoration process, not just the end result. (Watching again because it's that awesome.)

[@sauluribe7082]

I have a 1956 Zenith portable phono hifi which made some soft crackling sound even before warmup. The power caps would short out which was the cause of the sound and burning out the resistors.

[@bertroost1675]

Beautiful! If you ever get tired of it (I'm sure you won't) I want it!

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

Really terrific styling. 5:25 I'm really interested in the "voicing" that was common in mono units moreso than stereo. It was also done in table radios. Different drivers complimenting each other and the overall sound. From a Hi-Fi perspective it's less desirable because of multipoint sound sources and interference, but I think for casual listening it can be highly advantageous. I'll continue to watch the video.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

5:58 no stuffing or damping material in the box/cabinet? Common to preserve overall volume and efficiency. The curved back probably helps reduce standing wave resonances. The vertical dimension is shorter and so is likely in the mid-range frequency. I wish I could hear it in person.

[@SteveScarlet]

@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515 I did add some stuffing to the originally empty box.....

[@bertroost1675]

The tuners also sound better in mono, IMHO.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

@@bertroost1675 No multiplex "hiss."

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

I definitely like stereo imaging though.

[@hestheMaster]

What an awesome design inside and out! I see they even left two schematic sheets stapled inside. That should help in restoring her to greatness. Nice that it has an eyetube. No question about putting in a replacement stereo phonograph, and a good choice for sure. Results from all this work is you have really got one hell of a keeper Steve!

[@paulnicholas3800]

What a lovely sounding unit.

[@gregoryluna535]

Amazing how you bring these back to life.

[@garyspring5981]

Wow amazing beautiful console I bet it will sound really nice in your house

[@nathanmoak1515]

wow! what a beauty. they don't make anything anywhere near that nowadays. definitely a keeper. thanks for saving her! the turntable looks the part.

[@mtndemmon]

A friend of my wife had an antique store and some lady brought in a 1957 Hoffman console which has the exact same components as this one , including the “floating sound” speaker

[@brucenelson3800]

It’s a keeper for sure

[@jasonadams371]

That motorola looks great in place of the old Garrard

[@jmi5969]

Love these old resistors - all colour coding was easily readable. Not today's generic pale-blue resistors, where all colours looks like dark red or brown.

[@maynardcat]

The Motorola styling looks like it belongs in that MCM cabinet. The Garrard motor needs to be taken apart and the old dried up grease removed as well as on the mechanism gears, and then it should work ok

[@SteveScarlet]

Thanks for the service advice, I will be sure to follow it...

[@kfl611]

I want a floating sound hoffman now ! Darn you ! Thanks for posting this video. What a great stereo system - I hope you restore it and keep it and enjoy it for many years. Do you have an mpx out on the tuner, so you could hook up an external mpx stereo adapter? Now look for period 'external stereo' speakers. Keep the old turntable, one day you might restore it and reinstall it.

[@spacehopper1968]

Beautiful ❤

[@stevenj2380]

This is more a west coast product. Packard Bell such products may also have been 'unknown' in the east back then, too. i just looked up story (on Wikipedia oh well) of Les Hoffman and Hoffman Radio and Television and Hoffman Electronics in LA area of California. Of 1941-71 during founders life, and it went on for a few years after, oriented to military electronics and then sold. The page speaks about TV radio then TV production, in the consumer electronics area.

[@IDPhotoMan]

That Motorola looks like it was meant to be in there

[@Managua-f1n]

Maravilloso!

[@pcno2832]

What beautifully preserved piece. The sound is better than that of some of the later stereo consoles. I hope you are able to hold on to the original turntable; it's quite possible that someone, somewhere will offer a way to rebuild the motor. I've heard that the later Syncho-lab motors had a tendency to have the permanent magnet come unglued from the rotor, but I have no idea what kind of motor is in these RCs. Could it be a weak startup capacitor, or something like that?

[@davidmiller3573]

I have a 1960 Hoffman Stereo Fi with "Floating Sound"....

[@davidmiller3573]

I'd love to share a picture of mine to you Steve. Mine has the same "Stereo Scope"

[@fun2funkie60]

Very nice, Well done

[@АнтохаДолинзлейшийхейтер]

пушечная радиола, надо такую повторить.

[@IDPhotoMan]

How cool is that. (HA! I typed that before i heard you say it in your video)

[@goldenboy5500]

a one of a kind

[@turbomustang84]

I have a Hoffman tube mono console that records vinyl records... Too big for our new house so I have no idea what I'll do with it

[@TheCycle2300]

Steve. Do you have a source for speaker fabric. Having a hard time finding quality original or reproduction material.

[@SteveScarlet]

www.acoustonegrillecloth.com

[@paulopacheco2425]

I am a 59 year old Brazilian, passionate about your job and equipments. I have a few pieces of equipment from the 40's, 50's and 60's (including a 1931 Westinghouse radio), all working. But 2 of them are playing LPs poorly because of the cartridges. A HotPoint console (Concert Master, 1961) that uses a Sonotone 8TA and another GE (Robomatic, 1958) that uses a Sonotone 2T. Both use Garrad players. Do you have these cartridges?

[@SteveScarlet]

Try here: www.thevoiceofmusic.com

[@sterlinsilver]

What an absolutely beautiful console! the Motorola turntable you replaced actually looks far cooler than the original one. How much would you say it takes on average to do a full service like this?

[@SteveScarlet]

If I have everything, about three days.....

[@bertroost1675]

@@SteveScarlet How do you refinish the wood? Just use some restore a finish or something else?

[@SteveScarlet]

@@bertroost1675 each cabinet has it's own issues and needs but I never use Restore-A-Finish.....

[@bertroost1675]

@@SteveScarlet what are some common items you use? Today I just got a Fisher Electra console. Everything works too!

[@SteveScarlet]

@@bertroost1675 WATCO oil, Mohawk Cream Polish and Wipe On Poly are my regulars......

[@yupimbackk]

I have one almost like that. It just has the turntable no radio.

[@toddconley67]

Love that turntable look. Wish I had it mine. We listen to ours that you fixed everday!!!

[@robertomolinagoncalvesdeol8794]

Very strain stereo. Monaural is.

[@krwd]

Dean Martin