Price range for a Brunswick P-3 Panatrope

[gunnarthefeisty]

How much would a restored Brunswick P-3 Panatrope usually go for? I may be looking at buying one, but frankly I have no clue what it's worth. I know they're rare and somewhat desirable, but to what degree?
Thanks,
Gunnar

[Skihawx]

The P-3 had several different cabinet styles. From what I have seen, some or maybe all of these were reworked from high end acoustic machines. I have the "Oxford" and from the front it looks strange that there is so little record storage. When you look inside you can see it started out as an acoustic machine. The compartment where the amplifier is located is finished and has slots cut where the original record dividers were located. Brunswick must have been holding these high end machines and once electronic machines became available they became dead stock. This is the second machine I have seen with this configuration. The area under the motor board clearly has evidence where the horn was attached. I've attached a picture of my Oxford and the same acoustic machine that was listed for sale several years ago. I would say these are rare, but interest in large machines in spotty. Value is in the eyes of the beholder.

[dzavracky]

That is an interesting machine... but it looks kinda hard to use? How tall is it?

David

[gunnarthefeisty]

Here are some P-3 photos from the catalogue Brunswick put out in '26 or so. You can see that the "Georgian" is EXACTLY like the cabinet used for the BR-260 radiola- also repurposed for the Hampton acoustic Panatrope. So, after initial Radiola use they had enough left over to use for both the P-3 and Hampton.

[Skihawx]

I believe the BR-260 is a much smaller cabinet. On the order of 33" wide. These P-3 models are very wide, coming it at 48" to 50".

[dzavracky]

There is a nice one on facebook right now.. I thought about buying it when it was listed but I don't have the space (seller wants $450). This would be the Gotham one. Why the make such a nice ornate cabinet and put such a small horn in it?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 1678885180

[gunnarthefeisty]

I believe the BR-260 is a much smaller cabinet. On the order of 33" wide. These P-3 models are very wide, coming it at 48" to 50".

I don't believe it is- my Hampton was around 48" wide, and inside you could clearly see where spots which would have been panels or doors. I have photos somewhere, I'll dig them up later today
EDIT: after looking at photos of a BR-260, I can confirm that the BR-260 shares the same cabinet as the Hampton, but the P-3 has different stretchers, and is probably bigger. You're right!

[Silvertone]

From what I have seen, some or maybe all of these were reworked from high end acoustic machines.

Yes, the earliest Panatropes were reworked acoustic machines. I read some reminisces from a Brunswick technician who traveled to the Distributors to update models that were still in stock. You can see they had to improvise the installation in some of the cabinets. This is not the only one that I have seen with the amplifier hanging below the cabinet. Even though RCA probably shipped the components to Brunswick and Victor at the same time, this program likely allowed Brunswick to claim that they were first to market with these sets.

[Skihawx]

Wow, a Brunswick for sale with a Brunswick record on the turn table. It has the same white looking Grill cloth as my "Oxford". The serial numbers on Brunswicks are so strange. And the ID tag would get replaced with the upgrade. There is no way to tell if dealers sent them back or if only the factory stock was reworked. I think the creation of an Electronic P-3 would have to be done at the factory. To replace faulty capacitor banks or add fuzz filters could be done in the field.

[gunnarthefeisty]

The P-3 had several different cabinet styles. From what I have seen, some or maybe all of these were reworked from high end acoustic machines. I have the "Oxford" and from the front it looks strange that there is so little record storage. When you look inside you can see it started out as an acoustic machine. The compartment where the amplifier is located is finished and has slots cut where the original record dividers were located. Brunswick must have been holding these high end machines and once electronic machines became available they became dead stock. This is the second machine I have seen with this configuration. The area under the motor board clearly has evidence where the horn was attached. I've attached a picture of my Oxford and the same acoustic machine that was listed for sale several years ago. I would say these are rare, but interest in large machines in spotty. Value is in the eyes of the beholder.

Could I see a closer photo of the turntable area and the on/off switch? Thanks!