Magnavox Concert Grand

Just acquired a 1959 Maggy Concert Grand with two 12 tube amps, remote control receiver, Collaro record changer, etc. in large cabinet with two 15" woofers, and two 4X10" horn tweeters. The receiver works just fine, although the motor for the remote control volume is bad. I'd like to find a replacement receiver with a good motor, or just a good used volume control pot with the motor attached. I am also looking for the remote control hand held transmitter. And, I'd also like to find, if even a photostat, a copy of the original user's/owner's manual. I have all of the schematics necessary and will recap the amps soon, and install fuses too. Any one else have any experience with these particular units? The amps are 82-01-00.

WoW, what a find!! Congratulation! I wish I could help but I never knew they had remotes.

Yes, there are a couple of youtube videos which show the hand held. The remote receiver is still intact but haven't figured out a way to activate it yet. Functions are on/off, volume up and down, radio station search, record reject. The tuner has a search function similar to the old "wonderbar" radios found in Cadillacs. You press a small button above the dial and the radio will search for the next station. This will continue to the end, and then reverse and start searching in the other direction. There are four settings of sensitivity. I will try and post some pictures after I get things put back together.

Better stock up on caps and resistors!
And avoid usage, just because a nasty failure can take out expensive transformers - something not easily replaced these days.
And that remote receiver chassis will also need thorough servicing as well, they always do.

Which model have you worked on? Am wondering if the remote control receiver requires any special techniques and equipment to align properly.

Hi Riley,
As far as I know--all early "remotes" worked on a mechanical "clicker" device. My friend had a Zenith TV (OK--"Telly" to you), that I could activate by whistling, and sometimes clapping my hands. Ron Rich

After servicing the remote chassis, a complete re-alignment is required.
The setting of the specific tuned frequency involved (37 to 41.8KC) is dependant on what remote is matched to each unit.
Also, the specific peaking of the receiver chassis must be carried out in the proper order, usually with that remote only, as each remote is specifically tuned to a unit.
All this and more is covered in the service manual.

Enjoy, have fun.

Ron Rich wrote:Hi Riley,
As far as I know--all early "remotes" worked on a mechanical "clicker" device. My friend had a Zenith TV (OK--"Telly" to you), that I could activate by whistling, and sometimes clapping my hands. Ron Rich

Ron, the system they used in these older (tube) models was a bellows/reed system.
Later on, (astrosonic era) a tuning fork type system was used.

Hi Matt,
Thanks--
I had assumed that--My point, which I failed to make, , was that all "wire-less remotes", were a "mechanical" system at first.
Ron Rich

According to the service data, the hand held remote in this unit operates via a 22 1/2 volt battery. There are no tuning forks or bellows mentioned. So, I suppose this may be an ultrasonic, or at least "sonic" of some type. The remote receiver contains a "can" under which there is a 5 section "vibrating reed" device which I believe separates the various functions operated by the remote. The antenna for the remote receiver looks something like one of the AM antennas mounted on the back end of many receivers, but it is located inside a tube of maybe 2" diameter which is mounted near the horn tweeter. It evidentally is an RF device since there is NO opening in the cabinet for ultrasonic signals. It will be fun to try and get this working again. I've been looking for a matching hand held original, but so far no luck. Possibly one of the other devices which operates on an RF signal might work, if tunable to the correct frequencies. Today I'm going to slowly fire up the amps and see what goes. Most of the tubes are all original Magnavox from 1959. The amps only have one four section filter cap and lots of room under the chassis to neatly work on things. Even room for a nice hidden fuse socket or two.

Finally here are the pics I promised a month ago.

Not sure why it says "Not dowloaded yet". The pics seem to show up just fine. The amps are working just fine and sound great playing a CD thru the aux inputs. I need to work on the Collaro changer and also tweek the tuner chassis. Am still looking for the remote control transmitter. The cabinet top needs to be refinished as it was used for your normal plants and drinks, etc. This is all wood, and the top is ONE continuous piece with the grain running the entire length. This is Model 1ST800 in Mahogany and is Run #1 according to the label on back. Haven't been able to find much information online yet. Am looking for an original Maggy service manual and also an owner's manual. Would also like to find another tuner chassis with a GOOD volume control motor. The motor on mine does not work, although the tuning motor works just fine. Supposedly this thing has a total audio output of 100 watts. I suppose with 6 - 6V6's for the bass and 2 more for the treble this might be possible. One of the tweeter horns has an open coil, but I put in another horn from another Maggy console and it seems to work pretty good. I may try and get the original re-done.

Hi HarryO,

Did you find a remote for your Concert Grand yet?

Tim
310) 530-3275

No. Haven't found a remote transmitter for my Concert Grand yet. I suppose it would be nice to have one to complete unit, however, I have at least temporarily changed out my original Collaro/Maggy changer with a newer version so that I could install a Shure magnetic cartridge which is much better and produces much less noise from the changer/motor than the EV ceramic cartridge did. Unfortunately, the ceramics tend to pick up minute vibrations in the changer chassis, whereas the magnetics do not seem to have this problem.

I also did seem to have a problem with the receiver not wanting to algin correctly for inclusion of the search-tune function, so I kind of gave up on that since the rest of it was working so nicely.

Someone had the correct remote listed on Ebay for $225.! No way. I paid less for the whole console. There will be another one come along someday for much less. It is just a matter of waiting.