Since we’re on the subject of antique hi-fi installs… download a three-page article from RADIO-ELECTRONICS, April 1950, on the subject of the burgeoning custom-installation business for hifi equipment (via opportunities-await-you). Author is one William Rivkin.
DOWNLOAD: CustomHiFi_1950
When I was a child my family moved into a circa 1930s home (renovated circa 1965) that had one of these custom installs. I can’t recall what brand of drivers were installed, but the amp was a Harmon-Kardon, stereo, with (I think…) 6BQ5s. The Ttable was likely a Garrard. I really think that the particular smell that the amp made was one the things that fascinated me the most about it; shortly thereafter I picked out my first guitar amp (thanks Mom+Dad), an excellent-sounding brand-new Fender Champ 12. I remember the gtr-store salesmen being completely shocked that a child wanted a tube amp, rather than something with Mega-Distortion and Chorus; perhaps I should have told him that I was attracted to the smell. The Harmon Kardon, I believe, I gave away to a high-school classmate named Matt Tebbe; Matt, if yr still out there, drop us a line and let us know if you stuck with the tube thing. I definitely have…
One reply on “1950: Profitable Opportunities Await Capable Sound Technicians!”
For the first ten or so years of the business, built-in was a good part of the hi-fi business and most “components” were available as a chassis and faceplate. This died out as people realized they would want to change stuff out and the modern collection of separate boxes connected by cables was dominant by 1960 or so.
There are an astonishing number of these old sets still in the walls of houses all over the place.