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Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088

70.192.235.16
Posted on July 23, 2015 at 10:36:50
fastdog



Hello all, I'm a newbie from Maryland and have the opportunity to acquire this 1957 Grundig 9088 and wondering if any of you have an idea on the quality of the piece? Owner says that it's in showroom condition as the pictures show, though I haven't taken the 2 hour drive to see it yet. Any comments welcome.

 

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RE: Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 11:25:00
genungo
 Fitting name for a nice looking console.

It might look to be in "showroom condition" but I would be hesitant to plug that thing in without having a thorough professional inspection done first. Amp, wiring, speaker drivers, etc.., and a complete turntable tuneup/restoration.

 

RE: Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 11:46:59
fastdog
 Thanks genungo... Supposedly, he's been using it for years in his home. We'll see about that when I go to check it out. Wondering about the sound quality of it.

 

RE: Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 11:54:33
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16244
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 It looks nice, but it's probably only good for listening to the AM radio or an old 78 record or as a conversation piece. I'm guessing from the looks and the age that it's a mono unit rather than stereo.

-Rod

 

RE: Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 11:59:49
fastdog
 Yes Rod, you're correct. That's why I haven't made a decision yet... Unless it sounds amazing, a so so mono unit isn't something I'm interested in.

 

RE: Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 12:50:54
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 You might want to re-post over on the Vintage Forum



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

RE: Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 13:08:29
fastdog
 I just turned down the offer, don't need another mono unit. Thanks all!!!

 

RE: Newbie Here - Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 23, 2015 at 13:11:30
lokie
Audiophile

Posts: 1989
Location: Georgia, USA
Joined: January 28, 2003
 That's a beauty. Love some of the Grundigs style.

I am thinking about buying something like this and modding to use an ipod/ etc. Possibly trading out the drivers for something modern or upgraded vintage and crossing over to a sub woofer.

Probably wouldn't want to do that with a museum quality/ top dollar type piece.

 

If he still wants $2500, posted on July 23, 2015 at 16:37:59
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Forget it. The cabinet is nice enough but he has been trying to sell it all year, maybe longer. Count on needing to spend hundreds (3-5) to get it to where everything works and will work for a while. I don't think I'd pay $500 and others in a thread on this very unit said they wouldn't even go three.


I'm one of the biggest console geeks here and had a stereo Grundig, solid oak ,not veneer, in as good a condition physically BUT with reconed woofers, upgraded phono (Dual) with an NAD phono pre, and a restored radio and it took two years to get $300 for it. See link, I fibbed in the ad saying it sold for $450 but I had to haul it to the Kutztown radio fair to sell it.

Another good website for opinions on this is vintagehifi.net That has the most console people and info.


E
T

ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Grundig Majestic model 9088, posted on July 24, 2015 at 07:05:56
seas
Manufacturer

Posts: 138
Joined: December 21, 2006
 The record player will chew up your vinyl in short order, so be forewarned.Unless it's been rebuilt, the electronics section will be full of bad wax paper capacitors and power supply electrolytics. The selenium rectifier will be soft, diminishing performance. Controls and switches will be dirty and intermittent. The eye tube will likely be dim or completely dead. Repair of these units is complex and time consuming. Some of these Grundig consoles also had woofers with foam surrounds, and if so on this one, it will be rotted away and replacement surrounds are not available. These usually have small electrostatic tweeters which are also dead after all these years. If working well (a big if) they sound quite good, in a retro sort of way. I wouldn't pay more than $50 for this, even with a perfect cabinet. And then, only if you simply have to have it. I can't tell you how many times I've had one of these Grundig consoles offered to me for nothing.

 

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