Credenza price check

[Edisone]

Just got an update. He closed the deal for $150!!

You can't go too far wrong for $150

[Victrolacollector]

Sounds like you got a deal!!!!!
Congratulations, and get us some pictures when you can.

[Victrolacollector]

You guys on the left coast are lucky. Here in Los Angeles, the fruit doesn't hang as low on the branch. Here, a Credenza starts at $800 for a beater.

Don't feel bad, its the same thing here in Northwest Indiana and Chicago...junk machines list at 300.00 and up!
Here there seems to be very little interest in machines, mostly the people into the newer stuff or essentials for living, and they see a junk phonograph and want to capitalize on it.

Case in point, went to a house a guy had a phono on craigslist, the machine had no lid, no parts, some off-brand for $300.00
he had records on the table, said $200.00 for all maybe 100 records. Half of them were later issue (Columbia, London, DOT etc.) He handed me a blue label Columbia (a racial comedy record) said this might be interesting. I offered 50.00 for all or leave. He said its $5.00 per record or 200.00 for all, he said he thinks I am a dealer and knows whats worth something, I told him keep them, I told him I am a collector (not a serious collector), I explained his records are probably only worth $50.00 if that, as its hard to even give some of them away. Many fail to understand, the record must be some rare blues or jazz record or some other unique characteristic to even be considered for significant value.

I walked.

I believe the east coast has more machines as there were giant manufacturers there such as Edison, Victor and Columbia, there was less reluctance of owning a machine in New York as opposed to the more religious south and the midwest. There was probably more wealth on the east coast, and of course, more people. The far south (Florida, Texas) and out West are newer settlements, so machines may not turn up as often.

[zenith82]

Sounds like you got a deal!!!!!
Congratulations, and get us some pictures when you can.

Thanks. I'm hoping it was a good deal!

I won't be getting it for another 4-5 weeks, but will post some pics as soon as I do.

[De Soto Frank]

Well, even if the machine is a loss as a resto candidate, between the Jones "Motrola" and the other parts, you should not be over-invested.

[zenith82]

I picked it up yesterday. All in all, I don't think I did too bad. The cabinet is in decent condition. A few scratches and a couple of thin spots in the finish here and there, but nothing too bad. The machine spent most of its life in Richmond, VA, and was in a garage for the last 20 or so years, so the veneer has some minor lifting on the sides toward the bottom. There is no splitting or warping, so it should be a simple glue and clamp repair. The doors have some minor bowing, but they still close all the way. It's a 2-door model, serial number 8191. The grille cloth is intact and in good condition.

The motor is intact and seems to be in good condition at first glance. The tone arm is nice, as is the reproducer. The reproducer is the brass one. Someone installed a switch for the Motrola next to the turntable along with some kind of indicator light. The Motrola appears to have been installed when the machine was originally purchased. It needs a cord and some cosmetic work, but it looks complete.

Now for the bad - the feet are missing from the cabinet. When I placed the machine on its back to transport it, there was no impression or "ghost" of the feet on the bottom, so I am thinking they were removed early in the phonograph's life. If anyone has a spare set of feet from a junker cabinet, please let me know!

I think it was $150 well spent. I'll try to get some pictures up by this coming weekend.

[De Soto Frank]

If that machine has a brass OSB (Orthophonic Soundbox), then you got your money's worth right there.


About two years ago, I bought a 2-door Credenza from a restorer down near York, PA.

It had rested in his shop / barn for 30 + years, and had donated a few parts to other machines: the brass OSB, serial plate, and a few other bits.

The veneer is tight, and the finish can be made presentable, the motor needs work, and it needs a grille cloth ( I bought a piece from Walt Sommers ), and the bun feet need to be reconstructed ( have pieces that it shed ).

I paid $300 for it, plus what I spent on fuel and the grille cloth. And it's still in storage.

You did fine.

Can't wait to see pics of yours !