Motorola SK-13M 1959 2 channel stereophonic

[Motorola minion]

I didn't get a good picture of the front but, on right is basically the all-in-one cabinet, phono-only version of the two-cabinet SK-14 and uses same preamp and two channel amp (HS696) as the SK14. The SK13 and SK14 appear to be the first all-in-one stereophonics offered by Motorola, who did not hold back in the power department.
The record storage area could be sacrificed for a drop-in tuner like the "gull-wing" SK29 has (pictured on left). Both heading to new owners after a refinish by "not me"

SK29 and SK13 delivery.jpg (156.97 KiB) Viewed 14726 times

There are only two downsides to these amps were addressed on subsequent three-channel models:
1. No line fuse or safety capacitors on 120 volt mains. No random holes to add a fuse holder like a Mag 9300 has.
2. Wafer-style tube sockets that get hot, discolor and require retightening/respringing of contacts.

This picture was taken after loading/padding both after a test session in my garage last week may have damaged my hearing . I was not using a record player on either one, as they were out for service elsewhere, to my great relief

This is a cautionary note: A CD player (1 volt p-p line) into stereo tape OR phono inputs on both of these models, which are designed for the .4 volts output of a Sonotone 8t ceramic phono cartridge, will literally make a volume setting of 2 too loud for close range. It may have been the combination of this and Jensen 4 and 5 inch cone tweeters fed thru a new crossover cap. I don't know what it was, but be careful this IS an occupational hazard!

[Firedome]

That's a nice looking amp, and a 2 Tube preamp... whoo! Puts my Mono-Tube Zenith preamp to shame! lol

I used to do refinishing, I found that a good belt-sander was the tool for making it easier to strip down to bare wood, I won't use that chemical stuff anymore--- nasty! If it's a lot of flat surfaces it's not too bad a job, but a very different skill set is needed and it helps to enjoy that kind of work, a couple others here are very good at it.

[Motorola minion]

For our fir/shellac'd floors and an occasional cabinet, I used a formulation called Soy Gel^tm, which is great for stripping a gone-in-spots finish that you could never match otherwise. Not much smell and no breathing hazard, fine by me!

Turns everything into molasses consistency for putty knife removal and after what remains dries, sand out the color variations if you can and if its surprisingly smooth, seal and paint.