Restoring a "Graduate" 1968 GE Stereo Console Record Player, Model 711g

[@nickolaslewis1560]

In 1969, my mother bought me a GE c717g. I blew the outputs to it a year later. She said I will not repair it. So, I repaired it. I used the same schematic you are using here. I was 15, then. Fun times. This unit is their 150W unit. About 25 Watts per channel RMS. You have a split power supply, +- 24 volts, which is why one of the caps goes to ground. Ground for that cap is more positive that the -24v rail. The outputs were germanium GE3s.

[@GeorgeZ213]

My parents had a console like that. Turntable, am/fm, reel2reel tape circa 1963-ish. Was a wedding gift to my parents if i remember (still married after 60Y). It could have been one of the first generation of fully solid state units of its type. No tubes/valves.

[@mallninja9805]

Round about 1984 I was 11. My father bought a brand new stereo and I got the old one for my bedroom, a giant console unit much like what you've got here. I haven't thought about that thing in a long time, thanks for the memories!

[@broederbond60]

Looks like the unit in my childhood home. I remember blasting Bowie's Station to Station album and rattling the windows. Nice work.

[@jlcougilljr]

great restore video Steve!! i always loved these old school consoles and hell, everyone and their sister had one of these in the house back in the day ,and, you can still run across these somewhat often as no on really wants or cares about them sadly anymore, BUT, as you do, they make for a really great project!! one of these days i'm gonna pick one of these up and re-do it but what i've always wanted to do is up-date the speakers with nice modern drivers, etc., etc., maybe some customization might have to be done but the finished result would be awesome. the same for the turntable as well and i would think that an up-graded turntable system could be implemented as well either directly or indirectly semi-independent of the entire internals of the console. it would be a great project if i can ever dedicate the time to do it-lolol, i need another piece of hi-fi gear like i need a hole in the head, BUT, it's a healthy addiction.. keep it up brother!!!

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Wow what a Craftsman! Love the fact you have parted out other units for rebuilds! Dig it the most! I had a chance to purchase a unit at a Goodwill passed on it! But my parents had a Zenith Console Am/Fm Radio and Turntable, what I liked was their rich earm sound they produced! Really like your video! Well done!

[@semperfi-1918]

Thanks for helping restore these old beutiful pieces of furniture that are becoming popular again. I scored for free this week a 64 magnavox. Needs some tlc but looks to be cared for. Overall nice condition. Faceplate for the radio is the only piece with wear on it.

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

Just came across your channel and subscribed 👍!! I enjoy videos 📹 of these OLD radios 📻. They were built so great, as to what is available today. Tube type radios sound so much better, too. I also liked the flywheel tuning. This was the days of turning the radio on to listen to baseball ⚾️ games and the news 🙄. Please keep these GREAT OLD radio videos coming!! Your friend, Jeff!!

[@GeorgeZ213]

Wow. That Zenith at 1:55 is packed with I.F. Transformer cans.

[@richh9450]

That's the nicest looking console I've ever seen.❤

[@PopsKustojo]

Thank you for all these informative and educational videos. I’m here trying to educate myself with these rebuild and repair clips in an attempt to resuscitate an old Stereophonics. We bought it an an estate sale for 25 dollars a while back. It’s been used but only as a decorative furniture in our house. Finally got to messing around with it recently and discovered so many “intimidating” features in its insides. I was able to power it up nonetheless so that’s a start. I have researched everywhere I can online in trying to find a similar console that has been revived but sadly not a single thing. Please help, I know you’re busy, sir, but pls point me at a direction, when able. Cheers.

[@teacfan1080]

My parents owned a 1970 GE console. Looks almost the same, the long control panel, turntable nearly iddnticle, the double hinged lid and it had the portaplay speaker. However, it was prone to interference. They donated it sometime in the 90's.

[@guywalker29]

Remarkable. That there is dissension concerning the very considerate and methodical salvaging of parts goes against everything and anything I've witnessed in foreign car repair or any antique service where parts are discontinued gives me pause at what could possibly be the criterion for such criticism. The other day I called Hartford Connecticut and talked to a service rep about AC hum in my Zenith X 347 and I could tell there was a kind of chip on the other end of the phone claiming parts are impossible to find, China is the problem and anyway Stereo House doesn't even begin to look at a repair without $300 down.

[@bmccarty2012]

Re-watching this after picking up a C818g. I don't have any idea what the "g" means either, but I'm also clueless about what the numbering. I'd love to learn more about that if you know. But I did just learn something important from your video, which is the bit about the console being powered up via the changer's selector. My unit was powered up with the power switch off, and I thought that meant the switch was faulty. Now I know that's a design feature. Thanks!

[@dennisdemark8151]

Enjoy this video very much indeed... love the stereo consoles ♥️

[@bertroost1675]

Thanks for taking the time in making this video for us! I'm guessing you prefer to work on the tube amp because those solid state systems look like a nightmare.

[@brettkaufman2299]

You can use an iron with a wet cloth to steam some of the light scratches out.

[@NowInAus]

Fun project. I reckon I’d have rolled sleeves up and rewired: that weeping insulation is disgusting. Great ‘how to’ guide

[@michaeldrew3044]

Great video, and I'm thinking about tackling my own project soon. Curious how you were able to diagnose the issue when it quit after a couple days after reassembly.

[@SteveScarlet]

Using an oscilloscope pointed me to that transistor.....

[@pedrofernandez8729]

Back when brand names meant something and were built by the actual company, not like today where some POS Chinese manufacturer bought the Zenith and RCA name to place on their inferior products

[@nathanmoak1515]

you should have played the beatles white album on it! 1968 was a great year for music. and stereo consoles.

[@ChandlerKienitz]

Hey Steve! The video has really helped me take apart and learn more about my model C745H. I know it may be a long shot but I was wondering if you happened to have an image or information on how the radio turn dial adjustment string was ran. Mine is currently broken and I want to ensure I route it properly. Thank you again for the informational video!

[@SteveScarlet]

www.ebay.com/itm/256029447016

[@SteveScarlet]

This is the Photofact for your model, it should have the string diagram...good luck!

[@ChandlerKienitz]

Thank you!

[@kylehoenes3958]

Thanks for the video! Just got a Kubrick 563g and getting ready to tear into it. Would you happen to know where i could get a schematic for it? Lights up, and nothing else, so i will be spending some time on it. Thank you!

[@SteveScarlet]

www.samswebsite.com/en/photofact/details/index/id/59898

[@kylehoenes3958]

@ Thanks!!

[@alixruiz6958]

I found a Coronado that won't spin and I can't seem to find any videos on it! No idea where to start I hope I can fix it

[@SteveDave29]

Steve, are you content with these 50+ year old wires, you have no compulsion to rebuild or upgrade the wiring? -Rebuild the harnesses?

[@SteveScarlet]

Nope, never had an issue with wiring.....

[@alexflores4965]

I just need to learn how to use one

[@jarengordon97]

I have this record player that needs a new motor, can anyone tell me the model number or where to find the motor?

[@SteveScarlet]

You need to find another record changer, eBay is your best bet.....

[@bertroost1675]

I have a separate question. I read that (most or maybe all) consoles have some type of bass reduction in their design so as to not cause issues with the turntable, either due to some type of feedback or causing the record to skip. Is this true?

[@SteveScarlet]

Not that I know of....

[@bertroost1675]

@@SteveScarlet I think this video shows people why a properly restored console isn't cheap. You really put a lot of work into them.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

They'll feed back if they've got enough power and you crank them up substantially.

[@bertroost1675]

@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515 I asked because I heard this from someplace. I have a complete functioning Fisher console and a Fisher console amp that was a pull but they are the same model amps and the pulled amp has way more bass than the one still inside its console. The pulled one was set up to be a stand alone amp without the original preamp section so I am thinking that there must be a bass limiter someplace in the preamp section. But I can me totally wrong too. I'm just curious. Then again it could be the sensitivity of the speakers in the console.

[@colinriordan685]

Is a project like this attainable for someone with no background knowledge of the electrical guts in this thing? If not, do you have a contact I could reach you at to restore my c522g, I see you have one in your shop currently. Thanks!

[@SteveScarlet]

You can reach me via my website.....

[@James-dt7ky]

I like your avatar. S.I.G.

[@jeffreygorey5540]

That is a very nice looking console. Most of the ones I've seen were pretty ugly