more craigslist fun!

[OrthoSean]

The Thorens TD124 was a top shelf table for the time. They run great and you can add your tonearm of choice to it (they were sold new without an arm). Thorens, Shure and many other brands made arms for these. My Technics SP-15 transcription table also came with no arm (or even a base!) when new. You had all kinds of options with them. Come to think of it the Garrard 401s didn't come with arms or bases (plinths) either.

At any rate, his $1000 price is high to say the least, more like $300 if he's lucky. The last one I sold (on ebay) went for around $275 and it had a Thorens tonearm and a Grado cartridge. I've owned a few of these in the past, they don't hold a candle to The Garrard 401 (it's contemporary) and I'd rather have my SP-15 over either of these any day. It has variable speed from 16-120 RPM and can handle 16 inch transcriptions, even.

Sean

[gregbogantz]

I'm with you on the TD-124, Sean. The golden ears are all gaga over these, so that's why they go for such high prices. For what reason, I haven't a clue. They have tiny underpowered motors that drift in speed constantly. Since they have a speed vernier and thus a built-in stroboscope, you NEED to constantly adjust the thing as it warms up to keep it at the correct speed if that's what you want. They have a large drive puck which can cause rumble when the big idler wheel hardens up. Together with also a drive belt - it's the worst of both worlds. But the biggest problem is with the earlies models which used a cast iron platter. I used one of those and was astounded to watch it wobbling on its feet when running at 78rpm. The big platter was UNBALANCED! No balancing holes were drilled into it as is common with cast metal platters. A bigger problem with these is when they are used with moving coil cartridges, the tracking force is all wacky and undefined. The big permanent magnet pole pieces in the cartridges are attracted to the cast iron platter which causes the tracking force to vary depending on the thickness or warpage of the record. Furthermore, you can't even know what that force is since you can't measure it with the stylus sitting on the record. Thorens later corrected this problem in the later models by switching to a cast aluminum platter. Still, the basic design is kinda retarded. The later TD-125 was a much better design, but it has problems with its switches that cause the electronic motor oscillator to occasionally go intermittent.

Thorens used the same flea-powered motor and drive system in their changer version of the 124, the TD-224. You can guess how well that worked out - the machine stalls in cycle if everything is not perfectly up to snuff and properly lubricated. And it has a tendency to wow at the end of the change cycle due to the lack of motor torque even when it does work. The 224 is a mechanical nightmare to get adjusted correctly. It is an intriguing piece of machinery to watch in action, but it isn't a very practical or reliable design.

[phonophan79]

Are these cutters worth anything... or any good?

Wilcox-Gay record cutter and player - $150 (East Vancouver, BC)
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/e ... 97994.html

Recordio by Wilcox Gay player & cutter - $500 (San Francisco, CA)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/atq/1500056286.html

ONLY $50! get yourself a Brunny Ultona.

Brunswick Phonograph - $50 (Fitchville, OH)
http://mansfield.craigslist.org/atq/1485590006.html

seller says "i could not find any info on this item"... well naturally it must be worth $1500. LOL, off-brander...

Melodia Phonograph 1917-1920 - $1500 (Kettering, OH)
http://dayton.craigslist.org/atq/1501106767.html

another off-brander more reasonably priced

Chicago Piano Company phonograph - $160 (Ellensburg,WA)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/1500919813.html

Only $225 for decent looking C-19 with key and records

Edison Diamond Disc phonograph - $225 (Brandermill, VA)
http://richmond.craigslist.org/clt/1501089360.html

phonograph and cabinet for a fair-ish price

Victor VV-VI talking machine - $300 (Cap Hill, WA)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/1500119234.html

only $100

Oak Victrola - $100 (Sherborn, MA)
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/atq/1504053988.html

This guy is STILL trying to sell his "iPod victrola"

Gramophone Record Player iPod Speaker Dock - $150 (Etobicoke, ON)
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/atq/1485662522.html

[Victor78]

Sure wish that Brunny was closer to me, Id be all over it. Looks to be the next one up from my Style 212. Good deal!

[[email protected]]

I've a model 7D44 posted on the Portland Craigslist see http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/atq/1910624500.html