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 Post subject: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 4:41 am 
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Here's the first modular RCA system I've seen for sale anywhere. It features a 1958 RCA Victor black HFP New Orthophonic record player, and I assume a matching speaker as well. How about the cool grill cloth? I like it!!! :D

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http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/atq/2968740429.html

ImageImage


Last edited by Larry Hillis on May Thu 10, 2012 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 7:19 am 
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I dont like that style . I wonder how many were made and how many survived the fireplace .


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:28 am 
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Interesting combinations. Designers were quite smart for that time. :D

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:39 am 
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From the ad I can see that RCA did make the base in a lighter color with darker legs. In this case, however, I would think a base painted in black lacquer would look better.


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:46 am 
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This ad shows the HFP at one end, the speaker unit at the other end, and the record storage unit in the middle.

Image

I've owned one of the black HFP's... in fact it was my very first RCA Victor console.


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 5:46 pm 
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I would assume the zebra stripe grill cloth was not original. I've seen the modular stuff for the mono HFP unit and stereo SHP-11, it was all cheap hardboard construction with photo finished wood grain finishes, the black finish looked the best. I think the HFP was the last mono hi-fi that RCA built.

The stereo SHP-9 and all of its modules were hardwood and real wood veneer, a little more upscale.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 6:02 pm 
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Having always wanted to see one of those, I am disappointed that they ruined it with that Liberace-esque fabric. What a waste.


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 6:04 pm 
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Cool, very 50's.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 7:08 pm 
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Liberace-esque fabric, that's funny. What a hoot!

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 8:36 pm 
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Doug VanCleave wrote:
I would assume the zebra stripe grill cloth was not original. I've seen the modular stuff for the mono HFP unit and stereo SHP-11, it was all cheap hardboard construction with photo finished wood grain finishes, the black finish looked the best. I think the HFP was the last mono hi-fi that RCA built.

Your assumption is correct! :D Its owner probably wanted it to look a little more mod, so the original grillcloth was replaced with zebra cloth.


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 9:28 pm 
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moses_007 wrote:
Its owner probably wanted it to look a little more mod, so the original grillcloth was replaced with zebra cloth.


The owner tried to drag it, kicking and screaming, from the 50's into the 60's. Looks like it didn't make it :?


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Thu 10, 2012 9:32 pm 
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Conscientious work on the zebra, the two sides match in the middle. I remember that TT and 3-knob amp. Tubes, wunnit?


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 12:39 am 
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arbilab wrote:
Conscientious work on the zebra, the two sides match in the middle.

I noticed that too!


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 1:44 am 
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Me three, it's actually kind of sharp.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 2:28 am 
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It's hideous.
Someone, please, set it on fire.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 2:40 am 
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If you look closely, it appears that both of the zebraphonic units have an opening lid. If one is just a speaker, I wonder why it has an opening lid?


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 3:21 am 
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Magic Brain wrote:
If you look closely, it appears that both of the zebraphonic units have an opening lid. If one is just a speaker, I wonder why it has an opening lid?


Liquor storage for Billy-joe's stash of swill.

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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Tue 15, 2012 3:34 am 
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Magic Brain wrote:
If you look closely, it appears that both of the zebraphonic units have an opening lid. If one is just a speaker, I wonder why it has an opening lid?

Maybe there's a matched pair of HFP's! :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Simply Too Cool!!!
PostPosted: May Mon 21, 2012 5:12 pm 
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Magic Brain wrote:
If you look closely, it appears that both of the zebraphonic units have an opening lid. If one is just a speaker, I wonder why it has an opening lid?

Tape deck maybe?

Matt


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