Would like opinions of a knowledgeable Credenza owner

[Kryptosmaster1]

hmmm...not a newbie here but had to recreate my profile because of email,and password issues so please don't ignore me due to low post count.

I've looked at a Victor Credenza and I'd like to email pictures and get some advice on what I should pay for it from someone who is more knowledgeable about them than myself. It's in ok condition with some veneer issues but I think there are some parts missing. The lady is sort of firm on the price but I think she's a tad high. I could probably post some pics here if it comes down to it. It's just tedious.

[Uncle Vanya]

Well, I own at least five of these machines just now, and have owned more than forty over the years. Pricing on these behemoths is local. Here in the Great Lakes they are relatively cheap. I have a nice example for sale right now in my booth in a local antique mall which has a rebuilt reproducer (a good job, too. The machine is capable of playing London FFRR discs without distortion) rebuilt and cleaned motor, sealed born, which retains a nice, though not perfect, original finish, with no veneer damage at all, and which retaIns perfect grille cloth. I' m asking $650 for the thing but would accept an offer of $550.

Another example is similar, but has suffered from a poor refinishing job at some point in it's life (color far too light) at some point in it's history. I may end up parting THAT one out. Both of these are spring motor machines, by the way.

Another poster here,who lives up in New Hampshire, was hoping to get $400 (as I recall) for a decent two door example just a couple of weeks ago. On the West Coast prices may be double or treble these figures in certain markets, but as a rule $500 or $600 should get you a heck of a nice machine these days. The years of $2000 credenza machines have passed a decade or so since, I read.

(Edit) I was mistaken. Our New Hampshire poster was offering that early Credenza for $300, to wit:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =9&t=29566

[Kryptosmaster1]

The one linked to isn't the same exact model I'm looking at. Probably similar condition though. Maybe a little worse. I'm in Arizona. Supposedly this has been in the lady's family since new. So she obviously has sentimental value attached to the price. shewants $300. I'm thinking between $1-200 but the most I could get her down to was $275 so far.
Would I better off going through posting the pics here that I took?

Well, I own at least five of these machines just now, and have owned more than forty over the years. Pricing on these behemoths is local. Here in the Great Lakes they are relatively cheap. I have a nice example for sale right now in my booth in a local antique mall which has a rebuilt reproducer (a good job, too. The machine is capable of playing London FFRR discs without distortion) rebuilt and cleaned motor, sealed born, which retains a nice, though not perfect, original finish, with no veneer damage at all, and which retaIns perfect grille cloth. I' m asking $650 for the thing but would accept an offer of $550.

Another example is similar, but has suffered from a poor refinishing job at some point in it's life (color far too light) at some point in it's history. I may end up parting THAT one out. Both of these are spring motor machines, by the way.

Another poster here,who lives up in New Hampshire, was hoping to get $400 (as I recall) for a decent two door example just a couple of weeks ago. On the West Coast prices may be double or treble these figures in certain markets, but as a rule $500 or $600 should get you a heck of a nice machine these days. The years of $2000 credenza machines have passed a decade or so since, I read.

(Edit) I was mistaken. Our New Hampshire poster was offering that early Credenza for $300, to wit:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =9&t=29566

[marcapra]

yes, post some pics. It's super easy to post pics here. You don't have to go to some hosting site to host your pics anymore. Just scroll down a bit when you create your entry and you will see a place to post your pics directly. Does this Credenza have a good reproducer and motor? What is the finish, mahogany or walnut? Marc.

[Kryptosmaster1]

It's darker. I think walnut. The reproducer is shot. I'll try To post some pics. I've been told to walk away and wait for a nice one. It has all the original books but they're toast. The reproducer is damaged and rattles inside but produces pathetic sound. The brake doesn't work and may be missing the levers. I didn't pull the turntable. The back is missing, the veneer has bubbles on both sides and chipping on back edges. Front and doors are nice. Grille cloth original?? Top is damaged. Lid stays up but feels weak. Motor quiet but needs refurb. Gold tarnished ( worn off??) one shelf for books has chunk broken off. Odd "repair?" On inside of one book compartment. Brake actuator "broken?" from tone arm. Two Odd Holes at front corners of motorboard area. Don't know which model it is. Overall everything looks repairable but I think she wants too much. Plus it's on the second floor.

[marcapra]

At first I thought $275 sounds like a good price, but after seeing it, I would walk. I know someone who is selling a nice Credenza in the L.A. area, as well as a ton of other fine phonographs because he is moving. PM me if interested. Marc.

[marcapra]

I just wanted to mention a few words about the Credenza. I can see why collectors still want a Credenza as it is a noble machine! It may not be the most valuable or rare, but it is just a rock solid, genuine and iconic piece of the late 1920s that will always have appeal and desirability. And they work well and sound great too! This can also be said of the its brothers, the Brunswick Cortez, the Columbia 800 series, and the Edisonic machines, Beethoven and Schubert! Long may they wave in glory! Marc C.

[Uncle Vanya]

That machine has lived a hard life. Heaven knows I have scrapped examples which were in better condition.

It would take seven or eight hundred dollars effort to make that machine passable. Hold out for a better example. They are rather thin on the ground in AZ, but even there they turn up from time to time. Consider the machine mentioned by Marc. He certainly can tell the better machines from the dross.

Were you here in the Great Lakes area you would be suffering from an embarrassment of riches,for there seem to be more Credenzas about today than were around forty years ago.

[Skihawx]

That machine has lived a hard life. Heaven knows I have scrapped examples which were in better condition.

I think I just did. I am trying to figure out if I should save the horn. It came out of the cabinet very nice but what am I going to do with it? Sometimes machines are better off being used as parts. There are not enough of us collectors out there to save every one.

[Oceangoer1]

I think I just did. I am trying to figure out if I should save the horn. It came out of the cabinet very nice but what am I going to do with it? Sometimes machines are better off being used as parts. There are not enough of us collectors out there to save every one.

A Credenza/8-30 internal horn sold on eBay a couple months ago. If I remember correctly, it sold for over $100. You never know, someone may need a new horn!.