A Quick Reference For Service Literature

[19&41]

I keep this application on my home PC and laptop. You enter a likely model number and it gives the Rider or Beitman file numbers. I also keep high resolution digital copies of the service literature on the computers as well, so it is relatively easy to look up schematics for a given make and model.
Here is a link to the application download.

https://universal-schematic-locator.sof ... ormer.com/

[electra225]

Thanks, Rex. That information will come in handy. It will soon by on my computer as well.

[19&41]

I keep a copy of this DVD on my PC and laptop as well. It offers schematic prints that are as good as the original printed schematics.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/110319473326?h ... XQwKdRfT6P

[electra225]

I've got that set probably close to 15 years ago now. Mine is definitely NOT high definition. I probably should replace mine. Thanks for the link.

[19&41]

You can run Philco schematics from this one and read them easily.

[Hydrolastic]

Hello Rex, and others. I have been trying to educate myself on how the schematic, Sams, Photofact system works. I get it old librarys are being sold on eBay. Like this one here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353589029970?h ... SwHupg~Do- This one seems to have all of the components to the concert grand but you can also get them for individual chassis? How about sorting something like magnavox for each year or cabinet style ? I see there is a folder number but how is it organized ? Thats it for now. Hydro

[19&41]

It appears to me that each year, there were new model numbers listed for each manufacturer in alphabetical order, with the major assemblies taking precedence and peripheral items such as turntables and tape or wire decks to follow. Magnavox was usually good in identifying each console and sub assembly with stamped model numbers. Occasionally you can find reference to sub assemblies listed with the console file.

[Motorola minion]

I have most Sams sets 1946 to 1978 in govt surplus heavy file cabinets, a secret of sorts if you're on a larger forum I also have a ton of duplicates that somebody needs but limited means to ship them economically other than to bring to a swapmeet.

The fact I may need to service TV and stereo older than mid 70s makes it necessary. Sams sets were also for the radios, entire consoles and THAT is the bonus. Its a bit harder to find in voluminous Sams, but its probably there somewhere and the site search is nothing compared to my 1980 index.

In Electronic Circuit Digests, later "Electronic Technician/dealer" magazine, each month provided about a dozen or so factory schematics of almost any brand tv or radio but randomly so, from 1952 to 1979 or so. Those I can carefully peruse, scan and upload somewhere (?) without too much effort. Having to restore two 1957 Zenith "rhapsody" consoles, I was thrilled to find a factory Zenith schematic, parts list and alignment specs THERE in ET/D because I was missing the Sams set it was in. I suspect that manufacturers selectively shared their better range of products for those 11x17 fold-out blue pages in ET/D, often with amusing extras from the manufacturers. It was intended for dealers and servicemen, regardless of manufacturer.

These pictures are a sample of how HW Sams lists Magnavox chassis numbers for familiar unit assemblies, from the AMP-111 in my 1948 Windsor to the A575 SS amp in a 1966 Imperial.

As you can see, if numbers on your equipment are listed, the amp and tuner may be in two separate Sams sets and the Magnavox record changer may be in yet a third set.

Magnavox AMP series in SAMS.jpg (186.49 KiB) Viewed 4128 times

Magnavox Tuner and MPX chassis to Sams.jpg (173.17 KiB) Viewed 4128 times

[Motorola minion]

Hello Rex, and others. I have been trying to educate myself on how the schematic, Sams, Photofact system works. I get it old librarys are being sold on eBay. Like this one here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353589029970?h ... SwHupg~Do- This one seems to have all of the components to the concert grand but you can also get them for individual chassis? How about sorting something like magnavox for each year or cabinet style ? I see there is a folder number but how is it organized ? Thats it for now. Hydro

H W Sams offered a complete folder of all assemblies except record changer, for such high priced models as CG, but others can be mix and match like my 1ST659 which has amp folder in set 586, tuner folder in set 655, 3-tube mpx is in a folder in 625, which likely contains amp and/or tuner of yet another model.

The folder in one ebay listing for Magnavox console in Sams folder 452-11 is ONLY for the 54-series AM-FM tuner and stereo preamplifier chassis of that model pictured - heads up on that one example - the monoblock amplifier(s) and record player (if covered at all) must be looked up separately.

[TC Chris]

When I was in school in Ann Arbor I had a job in the Undergraduate Library (UGLI). Upstairs was the Engineering Library and they had a full set of Sams schematics. Money was tight then, and the copier cost $.05 per page. It made copies on coated paper--remember that? When I had extra nickels in my pocket, I'd look up the schematic of one of my radios and make a copy. Still have 'em. That coated paper does corrode paper clips....

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

I would love to have a complete set of Sams from 1946 to about 1970 or so. Not gonna happen in this lifetime. No room anymore. My best bet is to buy the folders I need and not have to store the entire set.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I have a bunch of Sams notebooks that a friend was
given, who gave them to me.

Possibly this year, I'll remove them from the worn binders
(keeping them in order !!!!!).

Then if anyone needs a particular file, I can mail it to
them.
Maybe we could ask that whoever gets the file, gets it
scanned well, for future distribution here.

Just some thoughts....

[Motorola minion]

As soon as there is a place to upload such resources, the ET/Digests cover some pretty interesting consoles and portable record players that may be of particular interest on THIS site.

Like Riders, ET/D used only factory-supplied information, offering in some tidbits that Photofact (R) may not.

Those 1-2 pages for each unit are full of other details such as alignment, obviously not as comprehensive as Sams photofact and of course, lack their pictures.