50's/60's era Zenith Portable Turntable Cobramatic

fabtrick · by **fabtrick** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:50 pm

After having searched in vain for this, I stumbled upon this website! YAY!

When I was a child, and visited my grandmother, I was allowed to use what I am guessing was my Aunt's Zenith "hi fi", which was "portable" (still a behemoth in my mind). It was a large box like structure, with the speaker in the front, and a lid that you could lock shut. It had a grey and off-white color scheme. The turntable inside was a cobramatic, - I believe the tonearm was also off-white, and the turntable itself was grey. This was 45 years ago, so I may get some colors wrong. I listened to that for many years on my visits, and would love to find another one. It's probably an impossibility, but figured someone here would know the exact model number or even a photo of a similar model. My Aunt graduated high school in 1964, so I'm guessing the unit was probably from the late 50's.

I'm also keen on finding another Zenith model, that was stereo. This unit replaced the one above, and was set up on a hutch with the speakers attached to the sides - they may have actually been made to "close around" the turntable. Above the turntable was an AM-FM tuner, if I'm not mistaken.

Any leads would be greatly appreciated - as I get older, I get more nostalgic for the "machines" that provided me with the ability to enjoy music at such a very young age.

Thanks so much. jj

Big-T · by **Big-T** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:39 pm

I have what would be a table top Zenith Cobramatic, that my father purchased new in the fifties. Model # S-9012. I have a few pictures and it has been sitting in a cabinet he built ever since. I just removed it from the cabinet a few days ago and dusted it off. Seems to work well, but i do not have any old records to test the sound. This may not be what your looking for, but I am interested in selling it. Wish I knew more about the value. If your interested send, let me know, i'm not trying to retire by selling one item.

katszenith · by **katszenith** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:05 pm

hi,
I have a lead. Based outta las vegas,nv usa. please respond if you want more information regarding your post.

Bobby Basham · by **Bobby Basham** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:15 am

I picked up a 60's stereo portable a few years ago. Sorry for the grainy pic from my cell phone. --BB

MattTech · by **MattTech** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:28 am

Bobby Basham wrote:I picked up a 60's stereo portable a few years ago. Sorry for the grainy pic from my cell phone. --BB

Bobby, I had that same Zenith in my repair shop a decade ago.... I used it for "background music" until I sold it to a customer for $60.

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:26 pm

Big-T wrote:I have what would be a table top Zenith Cobramatic, that my father purchased new in the fifties. Model # S-9012. I have a few pictures and it has been sitting in a cabinet he built ever since. I just removed it from the cabinet a few days ago and dusted it off. Seems to work well, but i do not have any old records to test the sound. This may not be what your looking for, but I am interested in selling it. Wish I knew more about the value. If your interested send, let me know, i'm not trying to retire by selling one item.

Wow!

I think that looks fantastic.

I like the concept behind the design. "If you're only gonna have a volume and tone control...Make 'em big!"