Gold plated? Johnson C

Post by **Phono-Phan** » Tue May 24, 2016 8:19 pm

I was fortunate enough(I think)to get this Johnson C. What is very strange is that all the metal parts that are normally nickel plated, except the reproducer, have a golden tone to them. All the parts look old and correct but are not nickel plated. Nor, are there any signs of nickel plating on any of the parts, anywhere. Was this possibly a special order? The support rod for the tone arm is even brighter underneath the bedplate. I contacted the seller and he said that is the way he bought it over 45 years ago when he lived in California. None of the parts are brass as a magnet sticks to them all. Also, would this be the correct reproducer for it? I haven't seen one with the markings on the cover plate before.

Phonolair · Post by **Phonolair** » Wed May 25, 2016 9:01 am

Nice find Ken,

I can't comment on the finish but the closed face reproducer marked with the C is correct for the early Johnson C.

What is the serial number of your machine, does it have a celluloid tag.

Larry Crandell

Post by **Phono-Phan** » Wed May 25, 2016 5:22 pm

Thanks for the reply Larry. It has the metal tag. I will try to get a picture of it posted later today.
It is strange about the metal finish though. There is no sign of any nickel plating, just a golden color where it should be nickel.

Post by **Phono-Phan** » Wed May 25, 2016 8:11 pm

Here is a picture of the ID tag, serial number 9770.

Post by **JerryVan** » Thu May 26, 2016 1:15 pm

I think that while it was being refinished many years ago, somebody made a trip to a brass plater. Doesn't look like gold plating. I think a "factory finish" would have also included the reproducer and would have been either nickel or gold.

Post by **kendphono** » Thu May 26, 2016 2:34 pm

DON"T change that finish! I am currently restoring a Johnson C for a customer. The serial number is 6837. It has exactly the same finish. I believe it is a factory finish. Possibly it was a special order. I do not believe it was done by an owner.

Ken Danckaert

Post by **JerryVan** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:41 pm

kendphono wrote:DON"T change that finish! I am currently restoring a Johnson C for a customer. The serial number is 6837. It has exactly the same finish. I believe it is a factory finish. Possibly it was a special order. I do not believe it was done by an owner.

Ken Danckaert

Wow, that's great news! Looks like you've got a real find then Phono-Phan!

zipcord · Post by **zipcord** » Thu May 26, 2016 6:39 pm

What is the ballpark value of this machine? Only if you don't mind me asking. Nice Vic!

Post by **Phono-Phan** » Thu May 26, 2016 9:53 pm

Ken D.,
Thanks for the post on this machine. I thought the metal finish was too clean not to be from the factory. The case has its original finish also. This is definitely an odd version of the Johnson C.

Zipcord,
I don't have a good estimate on value of this machine. I just hope it is more than I paid for it.

Post by **Phono-Phan** » Mon May 30, 2016 6:08 pm

I took some time today and did some light polishing on my Johnson C. There was only a very light film of dirt on what looks like gold plating. My camera doesn't do it justice as it really shines. I guess there might be one other example of this that Ken Danckaert is working on. All of the parts other than the reproducer that should be nickel plated are either brass or gold plated. I plan on taking a piece to a jeweler to see if it is brass or gold. I still need to transfer some old turntable felt to this one. I would love to find if there are any original ads showing this option. I plan on taking this and my late model E Idelia to the Union show for "show and tell" items.