1949 Zenith Cobra - Matic AM radio update on repairs

This Zenith was in excellent cosmetic condition for its age, but nothing worked. All it had was a hum with very little volume. The AM radio now plays ok with great reception, and nice bass, but the phonograph still needs work. The cobra-matic changer works very good, but It just doesn't have the sound qualtiy the radio has.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 1949
• zenith
• radio
• cobra-matic
• cobramatic
• vintage-radio
• vintage-record-player
• vintage-radio-repair
• vintage-phonograph-repair

[popnickerpete]

Maynardcat, did you ever solve the sound issues with this unit? I am working on one now, and the sound coming through the input is not as good as the radio sound. I'm testing it with my mp3 player plugged into the input with an RCA converter, and I get sound, but low volume and poor bass response. Any thoughts?

[maynardcat]

@popnickerpete I did no further work on the cobra cartridge, it is possible it needs new caps in the cobra phono input section. I personally don't care for the cobra cartridge. I would rather replace the corbra with a regular ceramic cartridge by tapping into the amps pre-amp section,. and just bypass the cobra. The phono then should sound as good as the radio. Changing the cartridge can be difficult due to the narrow cobra tonearm.

[75capriceconvertible]

Terrific to see you getting Toronto - sounds like an awesome station! Those cobramatic changers were way ahead of their time...  don't know much about those cartridges but they were used in a lot of Wurly jukes and have read about certain ones being very quirky.

[maynardcat]

@75capriceconvertible Hi Bill That is true about the Cobra cartridges, and that is why I replaced mine with Pickering magnetic stereo cartridges in two of the Wurlitzers. The model 1800 still has the original Cobra.

[75capriceconvertible]

@maynardcat it's like my Seeburg DS160... the original Pickering stereo dual-sided cartridge is great but the styli can be very finicky, the Phansteihl (sp?) repros are not really great... I finally have four that sound good; two are in the machine and have two more for spares. It will be years before I need to find more replacements thank goodness.

[maynardcat]

@75capriceconvertible Hi Bill I found that out with my Seeburg Pickering. The Phansteihl stylus can't compare to the original Pickering, it doesn't have the crisp clean highs. I also noticed that in a Technics Linear turntable I have the uses the P mount stylus. I could only find a Phansteihl, and it also was dissapointing compared to the original stylus, and the same with a Shure that had that brand of stylus. Sometimes they are the only thing available for some vintage record players

[amberola1b]

I love that canadian station it`s called 740 AM Zoomer radio. They also play great old radio shows from 10:00 to 11:00 pm Monday thru Thursdays. By the way, before I found your YouTube clip I was just looking for a replacement 78 rpm cart. for my Zenith Cobramatic as well, and I found this place in Mass. called Needles for Turntables, Google it, they have the modern but original fitting replacement 78 cartridge for $65.00 (that is if you`re interested). Also your machine is very beautiful.

[Turkeydoodlers]

Thanks for sending me this video amazing by just changing the electrolytics made

[AstroSonic1967]

Hi Bill - Great restoration.  I have the same identical set. It is on the restoration list. You're right about Cobra cartridges being finicky. I have some NOS by Astatic manufactured in the 70s & 80s and they cause oscillation in the audio. Glad to hear from both you and the other Bill about Pfanstiehl. I'll avoid them. The only good ones from them are NOS repackaged genuine Stanton/Pickering stylus. Their stylus for Magnavox consoles also work well. Had no problems with NOS Astatic.

[75capriceconvertible]

@maynardcat Many guys in the Seeburg yahoogroups list have also complained about the Phansteihl repros too! Myself included! Like I say I finally have a couple of pairs that sound good, but went through a lot of garbage to end up with them. Too bad they can't make good repros. Yeah, sometimes they're the only thing available... it's too bad. Someday I may consider swapping out the assembly in my DS160 or try to retro fit the newer cartridge

[heroesunplugged]

Looking forward to the improvements to the phono section. Very nice and thanks for sharing your find and taking time to restore it. I love discovering and learning about vintage gear. Beautiful radio/record player. Zenith did have some great electronics, but also a lot of junk. That's a keeper for sure!

[HD7100]

I rebuilt the radio/amp in my Zenith Cobramatic TV console several years ago. If I remember right, the tone was good but the idler wheel had a lot of flutter because it is so old. I'll make a video of it. Gary