Classic Hifi Care

We will start with the most common of cabinets containing Zenith's best electronics '59-'63

Both shown below are 1959 models SF2565 and SF183 (missing its companion speaker/amp)

Beginning with the feet, water damage and veneer break-offs are common when dragged across carpeting. The pictures speak for themselves. Further handling of anything heavy, in this condition, makes it far worse.

I have no intention of selling a $500 console with this disgraceful damage. I like doing structural wood-crafting, so I have an appropriate upgrade to present.

Next are the SFF2565 (the Grieg) Extended Stereo with 7F31 amp, late 1961 model with casters, a minor improvement CR would say. It weighs enough to demand casters too!

The 1963 MH2635 (the Schubert) with reverberation, sporting a fine-looking base with casters. Too bad this model has a single-ended but hotter 3B32 amp.

That is a totally appropriate upgrade that appears to have been factory equipment. Where would you "break" the veneer on a cabinet like the first picture you posted? Besides fixing the damage to the cabinet, casters certainly help moving a heavy cabinet, particularly on carpet.

Half-inch cabinet plywood is close to the soft maple grain.

Finish color may be a bit lighter but overall, it needs to look close to factory.

You can see where the hole for 5/16" shipping skid, just like an RCA has.

It's looking good, Dave.

Bill

I used some cabinet grade plywood and closest stain I could find. I'm not a finish expert by any means.

I found a quality tag which I haven't seen before. One of the earliest versions of this most ubiquitous Zenith cabinet probably needed a good quality program to get started. I'm not a finish expert so this is the best it can look based on my selection of leftover stain

Great work, Dave! IT looks just fine to me. Down that low on the cabinet, the slight difference in stain won't show that much. Definitely better than it was for sure......