Commodore "stereo matic sound" tube radio
 

Just tonight, I purchased this Commodore model 744A "stereo matic sound" AM/FM Japanese tube radio.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

About 17-18 years ago, I had this exact model and it looks to be a later tube radio from the late '60's or early '70's.

Anyone else have one of these or know for sure when these were made? I think I remember seeing, on ebay, an almost identical solid state version.

If it's Japanese, wasn't it made in Japan? I don't think anything coming from
Asia at that time was made in any other country, as far as consumer electronics
is concerned. Regards.

How about Hong Kong?

Classy looking set! I'd guess late 60s, Japanese. Looks like they were copying sets made by Arvin and maybe Magnavox. Anything in Sams?

I can't find it in Sam's. When I get the radio, maybe I can find some date codes on the chassis.

Man, you always find some nice radios! Only japanese one I have is a 4 speaker JVC Delmonico

OK, here it is. The only thing I've done to it was clean the controls and replace two .047 uf caps. One cap was from the hot side of the line to chassis and the other one was an isolation cap for the phono input jack. It's not a great performer; but, not too bad for what it is. It might be better after an alignment. This radio uses a mix of Hitachi and Futaba brand tubes and they are: 35W4, 30A5, 12BA6 x 2, 12BE6, 12AV6, and 17EW8. There are 3 diodes, 2 as a ratio detector and one for the AFC. I still have not found any date codes that I can make out; but, this looks to be from the late '60's.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...modore0001.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...modore0003.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...modore0005.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...modore0006.jpg

Nice table radio, but one thing is for sure, 'stereo' in the name is stretching
reality a lot...

...so is "High Fidelity" ... hard to get any "boom" out of a regular 4" speaker!