Picked up a Zenith Flash-Matic combo!

[drh4683]

I got a call from the guys at Ron's TV in wheaton that someone offered them an old zenith TV with the flashmatic remote. They turned it down as they have enough stuff as it is. Greg at Ron's called me up last week and gave me the guys number with the TV.
When I spoke to the guy I asked for the model number and he says "X2391EQ". I looked it up in my manual and was shocked to see "Combination unit" in the service manual. I drove out to Glen Ellyn Sunday night to pick it up. It even had the original flashmatic remote! The grandson of the original owner saved it from being thrown away by his parents. The kids mom and dad couldn't belive someone wanted it. They were so happy to get rid of it. The kid (he was in high school still) was going to repair it for extra credit for his electronics class in high school, but lost interest. He never took the back off the set, or messed with it. They told me it didnt work. I figured being a combo it saw heavy use and that the TV was shot.
I get home and take the back off, noticed it had all original screws holding the back on and the screws were tight. I think I might have been the first to take the back off this TV, as all original tubes are in the set! There was no brigtener on the CRT which surprized me too. I slowly powered the set up with the variac and the TV works, not too bad either considering all those wax caps under the chassis that need to be changed. CRT is bright as new. Put in 2 C batteries in the flashmatic, at first the TV didnt respond to the remote, slight adjustment of the sensitivity knob (the large knurled knob behind the on off volume knob) activated the remote. The TV responded to all four functions! Very loud relay action, expecially the MUTE function. The drive motor turned through the stations just fine. Whats interesting about the flashmatic system is that the motor drive unit is a direct drive gear reduction unit, there is no star wheel like on the space command type sets. Thus, when you change channels, all you hear is the motor and gear train in one smooth consistent motion until it stops.

At a glance, one would think the radio phono just sits on top of the cabinet not related to the TV. It is bolted down at the factory with 4 machine bolts and a simple wire harness that consists of antenna lead to the TV cabinet for FM and the speaker lead. According to my manuals this is only one of 3 combo models to choose from that had Flashmatic remote.

Ironically, the TV is excellent, but the radio saw much use. The radio was repaired probably 40+ years ago by Rogers TV in Wheaton. Must have had some kind of FM problem as all the FM IF cans were replaced with miller types. I wish the job were done a bit neater. The dial cord is broken and someone cracked the tonearm of the strobo cobramatic turntable. Radio does not power up, no filaments light up, but power is getting to the unit as the phonograph works. Its not mint, but pretty good shape. It was bought new on 12-29-55 as was wrote on back of the cabinet. One heck of a nice Christmas present back then! After some orange drops, the set should be good as new

Be sure to watch the small video I made of the TV in action. remember, this is a totally unrestored view of the TV. The vertical sync is a little off:

http://media.putfile.com/1956-Zenith-Flash-Matic-TV

[jmdocs]

Wow. That is one gorgeous set. Very jealous.

[Whirled One]

Wow, that is one nifty TV! Great save..!
I didn't even know Zenith made any Flashmatic combo units...

[Adam]

Wow, that is a great looking set, never seen that cabinet design with the radio and phono over the TV like that before. Haven't seen that chassis before either with the 2 5U4s? sitting on top of the power transformer. With that different tuner/motor set up is there a different way to set it to skip past channels like on the later space command sets with those things you turn on the back of the star shaped wheel, or does it have to stop at all of them?

[polaraman]

Doug,

You really need to change you name to the Space Commander. Nobody here finds the Space Command sets like you do!

Where is EricH? I know he will be drooling over this set!

Super nice find!!!!!


polaraman

[Sandy G]

Excellent score !! Another veteran saved...

[Eric H]

I'm here Rich and I AM drooling!

Wow, what a great find! and with the remote too.

[Eric H]

Doug, the video is awesome!

If you need the operating guide for it I have it scanned here:

http://www.vintagetvsets.com/schem/Flashmatic.pdf

[jpdylon]

that is so freakin AWESOME!!!!

You find the coolest sets!

[ohohyodafarted]

Very Cool Doug. Glad you rescued this piece of history.

I often wonder who Zenith employed to design the esthetics of some of their sets. And which nut-job executives approved those designs. To say the least some of them were bizzare.

Zenith definitely did not follow the Frank Loyd Wright philosophy that "form follows function"

However I am most greatful for the Portholes, being the roundie freek that I am.

[Eric H]

Very Cool Doug. Glad you rescued this piece of history.

I often wonder who Zenith employed to design the esthetics of some of their sets. And which nut-job executives approved those designs. To say the least some of them were bizzare.

I'll say, the Flashmatic screen looks like a giant eyeball!
Are you watching it or is it watching you??

[Tony V]

Awesome set Doug. I didnt know these existed.
-Tony

[bgadow]

Wow! These mid-fifties Zeniths seem to be a much better design than the Porthole era-less to go wrong with the chassis. The beginning of a long line of extremely reliable sets. I have a Flash-Matic and it's my wifes favorite set. A great gimmick. I like the radio on yours-very similiar in appearance to their late forties stuff. I would have thought it would be more like the typical round-ring dial that Zenith built millions of. Anyway, you did good-again!

[Dan Starnes]

That is a fine looking set!
Dan

[Captain Video]

Sweeet! Congratulations!