The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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.

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/182027848240?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT)

Not if you needed the parts? Where else on earth would you ever find them. I think you got a deal at that price.

^^^^
Agreed. That's really not a lot of money, and you got parts that you might not find again for years.

You got a great deal on this. Especially free shipping. The pot metal parts such as the arm and reproducer are in excellent shape. The motor is clean ans looks complete. Just getting these parts in decent condition is a great deal.
Harvey Kravitz

I was wondering how long have you been in this hobby. I say that because of your concern that you may have been the victim of a less than scrupulous dealer and because those of us who have been in the hobby for a long time realize how difficult original parts can be to find and how much they may cost when you do find them. According to the pictures, I believe you received good value for your money. From looking at the seller's other items, he is a general seller and you were lucky that he recognized what he had in order to title it in such a way that it would show up in your search.
Good luck with your project. Please post a couple of pictures when you have finished restoring it.

Jim

phonojim wrote:I was wondering how long have you been in this hobby. I say that because of your concern that you may have been the victim of a less than scrupulous dealer and because those of us who have been in the hobby for a long time realize how difficult original parts can be to find and how much they may cost when you do find them. According to the pictures, I believe you received good value for your money. From looking at the seller's other items, he is a general seller and you were lucky that he recognized what he had in order to title it in such a way that it would show up in your search.
Good luck with your project. Please post a couple of pictures when you have finished restoring it.

Jim

I've been in the hobby for awhile, but only with Silvertone... I just added a Mandel to my collection. So it just feels weird getting out of your comfort-zone and going with a Machine you know very little about...

Value is what you're willing to pay and how much you want whatever it is. I've paid a good deal more than that for some early Caruso records, and never regretted doing so: they were what I wanted, and they give me much pleasure.

+1

Nat, what brand of oil lamp is that in your avatar? I collect Aladdins myself.

Jim

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

It's only expensive if you can get the same thing cheaper somewhere else

Steve