The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It depends on one's comfort level with this kind of work, and whether one has the space to set it aside when it's time to forget about it for a little while. Personally, if the price was right (for me, about $100), I'd be all over this thing, and just take my sweet time restoring it.

I got it home a few minutes ago. It is in worse shape than I thought it was, and I knew is was rough. The tone arm and bracket are not original to the machine as someone alluded to earlier. The motor is a double spring and not the original motor either. There was no horn. On the upside, all doors, knobs, casters, and wood were present except the rear motor/horn access door. Not pictured was the album storage rack and it was in a box next to the machine.

Still trying to decide what to do. Parts wise, I will need a motor with speed control, crank and escutcheon, tone arm and bracket, and horn. Time wise, who knows. Then the whole thing would have to be refinished.

If anyone wants more pics or specific pics, let me know.

Matt

bbphonoguy wrote:It depends on one's comfort level with this kind of work, and whether one has the space to set it aside when it's time to forget about it for a little while. Personally, if the price was right (for me, about $100), I'd be all over this thing, and just take my sweet time restoring it.

That is exactly the price paid. If I had paid any more, I would have to part it out because I could never get out of it what would be required to put into it.

I would suggest working on the cabinet before you go to the effort to buy the missing mechanical parts. Jerry

I agree with Jerry Matt, Once you have an idea as to just what you have and what is missing cabinet wise, you can make the decision as go forth based on what the final result may be or to just scrap it out. Did the guy give you any idea as to how it got in this state?

Wes

Here are the pics from today. "These pictures contain photos that some viewers may find disturbing". "Viewer discretion advised..."

It kind of reminds me of those plasticized human bodies that were making the museum rounds a few years back.

So the question I have: How did it end up half pulled apart and in this condition?

As to how it got in that state, either Matt knows or he is just too ashamed to tell.

Wes

If this is a matter of just gluing all the joints back together, with a minimum amount of broken wood, I'd say it is worth the effort. Maybe the horn and hardware from an XVI will fit.

mattrx wrote:

bbphonoguy wrote:It depends on one's comfort level with this kind of work, and whether one has the space to set it aside when it's time to forget about it for a little while. Personally, if the price was right (for me, about $100), I'd be all over this thing, and just take my sweet time restoring it.

That is exactly the price paid. If I had paid any more, I would have to part it out because I could never get out of it what would be required to put into it.

Congratulations! I agree with estott, that you should focus on the cabinet, and that possibly the hardware and horn from an XVI will fit. Take your time, and when you get frustrated put it aside for a week or month or year, and then come back to it again. I think in the long run you'll be very glad you bought it.