1959 Ampex "Signature" console stereo

[electra225]

This thing is Ampex's version of the Concert Grand. Very impressive appearance. I've never seen one before.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155324678593?h ... R9iv6u-zYQ

[walyfd]

Well the ampex r2r is missing. Wouldn't be hard to find one. No CG had a r2r.

I'm sure the electronics are top notch but the gray painted face plates really don't scream quality...

Ampex was the west coast Fisher. Where most Fishers will be found on the east coast, if you want an ampex, go west.

I like that parquetry work on the doors. Interesting to see how it would stack up against a CG or President.

[William]

That was going to be my question, what happened to the R to R? Impressive looking electronics and lots of plywood in the cabinet construction. I bet it HEAVY.

Bill

[Firedome]

These came in several varieties. Being Ampex almost all had r to r. All had the same separate preamp and tuner, some had these mono amps (can''t tell if those outputs are 6L6GC or 6550, they look sort of like the latter to me) or 2 mono 6973 based amps. I tried to buy 2 of the latter off a guy in NYC I knew... no dice.

I did get the preamp, with all those button selectors. They had no onboard power supply, getting it from the amps, and I was going to make a PS but ended up deciding not to fool with it. Well made and no doubt a good performer. Still fairly affordable because of no PS, you see them on eBay from time to time.

[electra225]

The 1957 and 1958 model mono Concert Grands had a two-track stereo reel to reel tape deck. There was a little amplifier used for the other channel on the tape deck. 5Y3, 12AX7 and P--P 6AQ5's. I have a picture of that setup somewhere, probably on my old computer hard drive.

[Firedome]

This particular Ampex was the upper one of several models they had. I'd be interested to know the exact tube complement, those look like 2 6550s in each amp (GE or RCA, not the ST shaped classic TungSols). If so that console will kick some butt powerwise! A lot of Ampexes were sold in the LA area as they were based near Hollywood, I'd bet this thing had at least 60W per side! If 6L6GCs in there then more like 25W per side. I'd like to know the speakers in this thing too!

[electra225]

One of the pictures shows part of the schematic. IT shows EL34/6CA7 output tubes. That is quite the rig. I was wondering what was supposed to be located in the empty drawer. The price is optimistic particularly since the tape deck is missing.