Credenza on Seattle craigslist - $200

[Jerry B.]

There is a Credenza on Seattle craigslsit for only $200.

Jerry B.

[gramophone78]

Here is the actual link

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/atq/4926477104.html

She is in very sad condition. However,there is hope. We can rebuild her and make her the six hundred dollar Victrola... .

[billybob62]

Jerry, Thanks for posting that. Does it have a brass reproducer, do you think?

[gramophone78]

Jerry, Thanks for posting that. Does it have a brass reproducer, do you think?

Since Jerry's not on....the answer is no. The potmetal reproducer is also not in great condition. Hence, why I called it the six hundred dollar machine. It will take approximately another $400+ to get into nicer condition.... .

Still, if you have the money and time.....you could make her into a great player... .

[billybob62]

Thanks.

[Cody K]

There's a lot of hope for this old girl. The finish seems good, the grille cloth looks whole, as the seller says it is. Of course it's impossible to see everything that might be wrong without examining a machine in person, but the most obvious problem I can see is the back bracket, which can easily be replaced with a reproduction.

The reproducer looks in poor shape, and seems to have some degree of cracking, as is so common. It may or may not be the original; it's hard to tell from the pictures if the gold plating has worn off or if it's a nickel-plated one, which is what it certainly looks like. It can (possibly) be repaired, if not rebuilt, by someone like Peter Wall or Walt Sommers, normally for less than a hundred dollars. If not, it shouldn't be too hard to find a decent pot-metal replacement for well less than a couple hundred, depending how hard and where one looks. Good brass ones seem to be running in the three- to four hundred range these days, though.

My Credenza was in much worse condition overall when I got it -- a truly crappy finish, a broken grille, and a few other issues. The pot-metal reproducer was in poor shape. Peter Wall did to it whatever magic it is he does, for around seventy-five dollars, and it plays beautifully now and gets frequent use. I was lucky in that my machine was early enough to have no back bracket to have issues with, but that's maybe a fifty-dollar part I think.

If this were local to me, I'd get on it at that price, and check the condition of the motor, which is the real wild card here -- but I'd be surprised if anything's very wrong with it if no one's tampered with it. The seller seems to know what the major flaws are with the machine, but depending how badly they want it gone, who knows? -- they might be persuaded to take a little less. But even at the asking price, it looks like a good deal to me. I think it could be made good again for another couple hundred or so, and a decent amount of sweat equity (a/k/a love).

[phonojim]

I would not call the condition of that machine "sad" at all. It just needs a back bracket, a general cleaning and maybe a reproducer. Ron Sitko has the back brackets in stock for around $70.00 and reproducers have already been discussed. I have seen Orthophonic reproducers that look a lot worse than that one which actually sound quite good. If someone wants a Credenza they should not waste time but get over there and pick this one up.
BTW: A brass reproducer would not be factory correct for this machine.

Jim

[De Soto Frank]

I guess its "sadness" is a matter of opinion.


The grille cloth looks intact and presentable... that's a HUGE plus right there.

Unless there's cabinet flaws that are not obvious, the cabinet and finish look tolerable and improveable.


Back Bracket and Reproducer - okay - these are probably issues ( definitely needs a back-bracket $80 ? ), reproducer - can't tell from these photos... the light grayish blotches would lead me to think it is in some stage of pot-metal disease.

Platter needs new felt, not the end of the world.

And it has the original booklet and record folios, although both are showing their age.


It's better than the 2-door Credenza I dragged-home from nearly 200 miles away, that sat in a barn for 30+ years, is missing the taper-tube and reproducer ( was an all-brass ), missing the serial plate, motor has a broken spring ( or several ), and the grille-cloth is ripped from top to bottom. And I paid $300 for this poor soldier.


If I were in the Seattle area, I wouldn't ignore this one at $200 ( maybe they would take less ?).

Just this man's opinion...

[gramophone78]

I should add one thing in that most members will not know. It is on Bainbridge Island. Meaning.....you will need take a ferry to get it. So, more $$$ is required... . The record binders are shot.So, reproducer, back mount, binders....anyone adding this up to at least $400+ or am I too high...??.
Although, as Jim stated, a brass Ortho is not correct. I would want one on mine... .

[De Soto Frank]

Is that $400 US or Canadian ?




Maybe he'll trade for my 2-door...