Jeffhs,
I agree with you that the early TV console cabinets were way better than the quality of today's 'cabinets'. Nowadays for example they used pressed sawdust and Mac-Tac (a plastic film printed to look like wood grain), back then they employed either solid hardwood throughout, or at least hardwood frame and hardwood veneer.
I have a nice looking 16" round screen RCA with full length doors from 1949-50 that I am seriously considering gutting and making into an AV cabinet with adjustable shelves inside for my home entertainment center in the living room. It is all hardwood and mahogany veneer stained darkly. It looks lovely, a fine piece of furniture. I hate to cannibalise a vintage Tv though.
Rob