What started off as a worn down circa 1960's stereo cabinet was converted into an impressive yesterday-meets-tomorrow media PC capable of storing their 50,000 song library. Open up the refinished top hinged cabinet and a custom laser cut plexiglass panel perfectly presents and stores an Apple wireless keyboard, Magic Trackpad, USB port for external devices, and a monitor display for the juke box...
All in all the only item we paid for outright for this project were some new fabric, Plexiglas panels and a few $$$ worth of PC parts. The real benefit has been the ability to listen to our music without having to use our laptops or hooking up something to the TV. An ipod dock-speaker it is not, but they don't make ipod big enough for our whole collection, and this thing matches our living room.
I have to admit I'm partial to these sort of before and after projects using vintage stereo cabinets. I worked on one myself for a few months (above), later selling the "after" to a friend upon moving to a new apartment where the expansive cabinet would no longer fit.
Others have totally detoured away from using stereo cabinets for media-entertainment use and have reused them in novel ways, like this stereo cabinet headboard or refinishing one for use in the dining room. So next time you're at a yard sale, flea market, or Goodwill, keep an eye out for these oldies but goodies stereo cabinets...they'll open a world of possibilities for both decor and utility!
Check out the complete before and after makeover over at ArtHive: The Mind Dump
(Images: El8id, Gregory Han)
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Woah, so much love for this project. I love 60's mod and modern tech, and you have blended them perfectly. Well done indeed!
I've been jonesing to do a project like this for a while now but haven't been able to find a stereo console to transform. One with an old turn table and some nice analog dials would be cool to restore with new speakers and a PC brain. Ultimate HTPC: classy, integrated and highly functional!
The second one is so cool! What did you use to panel the front, that white with the circle pattern? I always thought these cabinets have so many potential uses. I like seeing them updated for new technology although I'm something of an ignoramus and even a Luddite about new tech. To THE MGP, visit thrift stores regularly and you should be able to score one in a matter of weeks. They're out there!
OMG i have a stereo cabinet with the insides ripped out and would LOVE to do the jukebox thing. Is there a tutorial or link to a more in depth explanation of what i would need to buy/do? I'm not good at this sort of thing whatsoever.
My brother uses an old stereo cabinet as a bar; it holds almost all of his scotch collection, plus there's room for glasses where the records would have gone.
I love these old stereo cabinets. I've got a working one myself. I've put an airport express to it and it works perfectly wireless with my mac. The original radio and pick-up are also still working, so it's a brilliant mediacentre.
My bf and I drilled holes in the back of an old Conant Ball console for our tv and electronics. Not quite the same since it doesn't have a built in turntable, but the slots for records turned out to be the perfect size to stash the Xbox. Not too shabby for $50!
I (re)built one of these around a1960s Zenith Stereo Cabinet with a Dual turntable, Sonos and an iPod. It also serves as the wifi hub for my house. It rules. I want to quit my day job and build these for a living. Everyone who sees it wants one. Check it out: http://stereoproject.blogspot.com
WOW.
What a great mix of classic and modern design!
This is so clever!
I have a stereo cabinet I was wanting to turn into a bar. Now I am contemplating a bar/ jukebox combo. Would love to get info on how to do the jukebox.