The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

gramophone78 wrote:+2 on what Nat said. $68....that's like a dinner out at McDonald's with hungry kids.... . I collect those too Jim.

You collect hungry kids? Do you take hungry teenagers as well?

Sorry, could not resist...
Andreas

As Harvey stated, the pot-metal arm and reproducer look excellent, and everything looks really clean, even the motor.

I think what you paid was reasonable for the arm and reproducer alone.

Might seem like a lot, but stuff for Mandel is far less common than similar parts for Victor or Edison machines...


Good score !

Benjamin_L wrote:I just bought a group of Mandel parts for $68, it feels like I over paid. (I was desperate...) So I just wanted to ask some fellow members their price opinion on the lot.

Relax and enjoy your hobby, you can only over pay if you are planning on selling it for a profit. How can you put a price on enjoyment and happiness. If you think you over paid then you probably need. If you are happy you found and got your parts than you did not over pay.

I have many machines in my collection that I have gotten from auction, sometimes having to travel far. To get these machines I paid more than anyone else in the room was willing to pay. Did I overpay, nope, its what I wanted and have enjoyed. When it comes time to sell I probably will loose money on many of them but I still did not over pay. I collect phonographs for the enjoyment and fun not for investment.

Larry Crandell

Very well stated, Larry.

Jim

Thanks, everyone for all the advice!

(I got the machine for only $70 bucks, the cabinet was in pretty good shape just needed some mechanical help. Can't wait to share, happy I finally got a machine with an automatic brake.)

Really appreciate it.

Parts for Mandels don't exactly grow on trees and I'm guessing that the seller's shipping cost was probably at least $20. Good heavens, you made out like a bandit!!!!

Clay

I collect phonographs for the enjoyment and fun not for investment.

Larry Crandell

I think that is really important to remember. We should all plan for retirement while enjoying our hobby and they are two independent objectives. Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote:

I collect phonographs for the enjoyment and fun not for investment.

Larry Crandell

I think that is really important to remember. We should all plan for retirement while enjoying our hobby and they are two independent objectives. Jerry B.

Absolutely. I have maybe a dozen machines that I have more money into that I could get out of them, but for me it gave me great pleasure to bring them back to life and know they are ready for their next 100 years. And it gives me pleasure just to see them and listen to them regularly. That is more than repayment enough.

Clay

Well, I just recently got the parts... Here it goes: It was absolutely horribly packaged, the box had several small holes while everything just had one layer of bubble wrap around it. The entire tonearm support was broken in two, with several small pieces missing. The connecting joint that holds the tonearm to the holder wasn't even in the box.(My only idea is that it fell out from the small holes.) But here's what turns it all around: The motor was in pristine running condition, the grease seems like it was put in yesterday. The springs are just perfect. The tonearm, reproducer, and turntable are in pretty good condition also.

I am going to contact the seller and complain about the bad shipping, but I'm pretty pleased about the motor. So I've decided I'm just going to keep it all.

Welcome to the world of EBAY sellers who have no clue on how to pack & ship stuff