Electrola on Detroit CL

[TonyJ]

Not sure if the price is 895 or 595 according to the ad, but looks to be an interesting machine. From what I've read, shouldn't there be an electrical pickup on the machine also?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/atq/4689545469.html

[Torjazzer]

This would have been supplied with an acoustic Orthophonic reproducer (pot metal, not brass) and the electrical head reproducer. You can see the attachment point for the electrical head at the bend of the tone arm. I wouldn't trust any of my records to such a machine, though. The weight of that head plus the force required for the tracking made roofing tiles of early electrics. And that poor Pathé!

[Garret]

Forewarned: You will spend a significant amount of money getting this thing in order. There are many more pot metal parts than the electric pickup arm for which nobody is currently making castings...to mention nothing of the electronics, if they are even all still there.

The owner also doesn't seem to appreciate just how much work will go into getting this fixed properly.

[Jerry B.]

What is the approximate value of this model in good working order? Jerry

[Garret]

What is the approximate value of this model in good working order? Jerry

Jerry,

It's hard to say, but in this environment, I'd hedge no more than $2000. These 8-60s very rarely show up in proper working condition, as there is a lot that has to be done to set them straight, and very few were originally made. I've had a couple of 8-60s and Borgia IIs that I have intended to restore throughout the years but never got to because of time, money, or some other factor, and ended up reselling to other parties.

First is a short list of the pot metal parts for which you would need to find replacements and have made. Second is a short list of the cost of restoration for various aspects of the machine.

Pot Metal Parts
1. electric pickup arm
2. electric/acoustic horn valve gear
3. levers that turn horn valve gear (akin to what is in the 10-50)
4. Orthophonic soundbox (need I mention that?)

Rebuild Estimates
1. Electric Pickup ($75)
2. Electronics restoration ($600-750; depends on whether tubes, driver, and amp are still present and easily rendered functional without additional work)

What will really get you is the cost to make the reproductions for the pot metal parts. This could easily run into the high hundreds. While on the face of it a restoration may still seem doable, once you consider your time, it gets quite expensive. This is a machine to restore to keep, and they are well worth restoring because of their unusual nature. Please note that I have probably missed something in the above thoughts, as this is just my recollection of the last 8-60 I had, and what it needed.

[TonyJ]

3. levers that turn horn valve gear (akin to what is in the 10-50)

I was wondering how these worked - basically they use the same horn and couple it to either the tonearm or to a speaker driver? I couldn't imagine with the size of the horn where they would put a speaker adjacent to it. Interesting.

[phonojim]

To me, this machine is scarce and significant enough to warrant restoration. It is relatively close to me and I could go and look at it in order to make a decision. However, I don't want any more large machines plus I have enough restoration projects for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, if this machine is complete, I would strongly consider it. Other than the potmetal parts for the tonearm and horn valve, I wouldn't personally consider it a problem. I do have the necessary skills to rebuild the electronics and the pickup myself and would enjoy doing so. As far as considering the amount of time I would spend restoring this machine, I would not place a monetary value on it. I would be doing this for the sheer enjoyment of it and the time involved would not matter. If I factored in the time I have spent on my nearly 50-years-in-my-possession Triumph D-2, I could probably have bought a few of them by now.
Anyway, I feel that this Electrola is a piece of history that is well worth saving and I wish I could be the one to do it.

@Garret: none of this is meant as a slam at you or your post. It's just my personal take on the issue.

Jim

[Garret]

...@Garret: none of this is meant as a slam at you or your post. It's just my personal take on the issue.

Jim

Certainly. Jerry's question seemed to address the economics of the issue, and so I frame my answer from solely that perspective.