The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Education is expensive, apparently!

OrthoSean wrote:Is it the pics or just me, but it looks like the finish on the outside might have been stripped / thinned / messed with in some way?

Sean

I was thinking the same thing. It is a shellac finish and could have been rubber out a bit.
Something doesn't look quite right.

OrthoSean wrote:Is it the pics or just me, but it looks like the finish on the outside might have been stripped / thinned / messed with in some way?

Sean

Not necessarily. There is glare on the finish from some light source, a flash or windows behind the photographer. Something you can’t really assess without seeing the real thing “up close and personal.”

Clay

Thought I'd bump this up, it ended last night with no takers for the $600 opening bid. I still think the finish was screwy and since it drew no bids, I don't think I'm the only one. A nice, unmolested one of these is certainly worth $600 IMO.

Sean

I think this would have sold if he hadn't decided to change the price. It would have been worth paying to have it shipped if you could get it for $300.00 and I think that's what others thought when he had all the calls about it. Bet he's wishing now he had just sold it. I don't know if the finish is right on this one but I know mine has not been refinished but looks similar when a picture is taken inside with a flash.

I've looked and looked and looked again at his eBay pics and even blown them up, unless his camera is just totally lousy (could be, I guess), you can clearly see that there's absolutely no "shine" to the outside finish, but the inside looks just fine. I saw the pic of yours, Phonogal, and it certainly shows how nice one of these can be. The seller is only a couple of hours at the most from me and if his photos showed a machine I was certain didn't have a dinked up finish, I would be arranging to pick it up as I type.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:I've looked and looked and looked again at his eBay pics and even blown them up, unless his camera is just totally lousy (could be, I guess), you can clearly see that there's absolutely no "shine" to the outside finish, but the inside looks just fine. I saw the pic of yours, Phonogal, and it certainly shows how nice one of these can be. The seller is only a couple of hours at the most from me and if his photos showed a machine I was certain didn't have a dinked up finish, I would be arranging to pick it up as I type.

Sean

Sean, Looked again at the photos. I think you're right. I hadn't noticed that the photos of the inside looked just fine while the outside is just flat. Too bad, it's not an easy one to find.Jan

I often find that the finish is in much better condition on the inside of phonographs where it is protected and the outside is dull where it has been exposed to years of dirt, smoke, etc. I actually prefer that in most cases, because it means that the exterior has not been tampered with and overdone with lacquer slathered on, etc. A little elbow grease, Kotton Klenser, and careful use of 0000 steel wool, perhaps followed by a bit of bee's wax, will generally bring things back to just a nice patina.

Clay