1966 Zenith MN2670 Console

[chazglenn3]

I swear, I just don't understand how some of these people come up with their asking prices. IF and that's a big IF, this was restored to mint condition, it might sell for half of the current asking price...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316032185138?_ ... 1506.m1851

[William]

I totally agree, Charles, but for some reason these particular Zenith models, with the 4 louvers/swell shades on each side, is the Holy Grail of all Zeniths and seems to bring big money. Not for me!

Bill

[chazglenn3]

Maybe the version with the pop up reel to reel, but this one in mint condition will fetch $2000 tops usually, Bill. Or so it seems. Steve can sell them for more but he also includes white glove shipping...

[maxidyne]

It's called fishing for a sucker. The seller is hoping the buyer will be that sucker.....

[Motorola minion]

This is an Zenith whose only redeeming quality is that record changer. If this were an all-tube model with some fun and it is not, maybe it might be worth about 25% of that price. By looks of ad, this is a copy cat with no previous experience. Its just so much trouble to clean it apparently
If it was used hard, not maintained and just functioning on a basic level - the cosmetic buyer will really feel taken advantage of.

Unfortunately, the transition to solid state was also when more desirable furniture styles were introduced. Zenith made their best tube models 59-63, but the furniture is not very desirable. To own one is to appreciate quality sound, not for the wow factor on appearance.

I have seen some very mediocre electronics and speakers with an outrageous price. Perfect examples are the manufacturers that made low-slung cabinets after transitioning to solid state, making them rare but not well done if you know what I mean. Philco and GE come to mind.

[electra225]

When Magnavox stopped using the hardwood cabinets in 1965 or so, some of their cabinets got pretty nasty looking. They let Zenith and RCA sneak up on them with their solid state instruments. That was about the time that RCA and Zenith started making better-looking cabinets. I had a "louver" cabinet Zenith console stereo. The thing I liked least about it was that silly volume control with the balance control on the same shaft. It took two hands to change the volume while not upsetting the balance. Zenith used that feature for years, even on tube stuff. I sold it because it was solid state.

GE specialized in building "mystery wood" cabinets for the most part.

[William]

Charles, I say "NOT ME", but I do have one. It is a Zenith model Z968M which is the same as Z960W but mine is in a butt ugly Early American cabinet. I came across it at an estate sale, priced at 100 dollars and the radio was even playing. The gal saw me looking at it, came over and asked if I was interested. Before I could answer she said make me an offer, so I said 30 bucks thinking they would never take that offer. Lucky, or unlucky me she said sold, where's your truck and we will load it up for you. Oh Boy, home it came and right into the garage. I gave it a good cleaning, checked it out and noticed it needed a few things to make it sound right and the changer needed serviced. I did service the changer but left the rest alone as it was not coming in the house, and it went to storage and has been there ever since which was probably 5 years ago. If the cabinet looked like the Early American cabinet in my Avatar, I might have considered letting it into the house, but Zenith decided to make it gaudy Early American instead of conservative Early America.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

Charles, I say "NOT ME", but I do have one. It is a Zenith model Z968M which is the same as Z960W but mine is in a butt ugly Early American cabinet. I came across it at an estate sale, priced at 100 dollars and the radio was even playing. The gal saw me looking at it, came over and asked if I was interested. Before I could answer she said make me an offer, so I said 30 bucks thinking they would never take that offer. Lucky, or unlucky me she said sold, where's your truck and we will load it up for you. Oh Boy, home it came and right into the garage. I gave it a good cleaning, checked it out and noticed it needed a few things to make it sound right and the changer needed serviced. I did service the changer but left the rest alone as it was not coming in the house, and it went to storage and has been there ever since which was probably 5 years ago. If the cabinet looked like the Early American cabinet in my Avatar, I might have considered letting it into the house, but Zenith decided to make it gaudy Early American instead of conservative Early America.

Bill

Im down to two solid state Zenith consoles, having sold a few. One will sell easily as its a 1967 X950 in the desirable walnut and the other is like yours, a Z966 "Molino" in the medieval dungeon style in the ad I uploaded. It needs some work but Im saving it for parts until a '960 shows up. Likely something will need swapped out, any SS Zenith I get always needs some work.
Models ending in "0" seem to be the pretty ones.

Y966 ad.jpg (39.43 KiB) Viewed 18933 times

[William]

I do not have a photo of mine and I can't seem to find it on the internet either otherwise I would share.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

I do not have a photo of mine and I can't seem to find it on the internet either otherwise I would share.

Bill

Suffice to say, its a credenza style like mine but with lighter wood and more hardware? Ill have to check the polymer content on mine.

[William]

Dave, your Mediterranean style cabinet is way better looking than the Early American one I have.

Bill

[chazglenn3]

I didn't want to start a new thread, so I'm just adding on to this one. I'm sure you all remember the seller asking $4000 for the one I listed as the original post in this thread. Trashed cabinet and non-working I'm sure. Well, I have come across an identical unit locally that works and the cabinet looks good that I can get by dropping off the last zero. As usual, I don't need it but really can't pass up the deal...considering what these tend to get sold for.

[William]

Let us know if you were successful in your purchase, and photos please.

Bill

[chazglenn3]

I thought long and hard about it overnight and went and reread the post on the model here by Senior Steve. I'm going to pass on it. I think I would be better off spending the money to get the Fisher restored. Sorry for the false alarm!

[William]

No apologies necessary, Charles. Wall talk out loud and sometimes that helps us to figure out just what we should do. I talk to myself all the time, mostly because no understands what I am talking about including me.

Bill

[electra225]

Sometimes, talking to yourself is the only way to have an intelligent conversation.......

[chazglenn3]

I will post the link to the console in a new thread in case there is interest here...