The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Would a Credenza fit into a Subaru Outback or similar vehicle? Anyone have recommendations on moving one for an eight hour drive?

I moved mine without problems in a Prius hatchback, though in order to do that I had to drive with the front seats pushed forward as far as they could go. I think an Outback is a little bigger inside than a Prius, but I don't have measurements for you, as I don't have the Prius. I'm 6'3" tall, though, and I was glad I was only traveling about an hour -- don't think I would have liked traveling eight hours that way very much.

Credenza cabinet is 45.5" tall, 31.5" wide, and 22" deep, so you may be able to calculate from that whether it'll fit in the Outback. Good luck!

My Credenza fit very comfortably into the back of a Toyota RAV4. I believe the Subaru Outback has about the same amount of space and the trunk area may be a little lower sitting (closer to the ground)) than mine. I had my friend help me lift the machine and set it upright about 1 foot away from the end of the trunk space. We then leaned the Credenza back and used a piece of cardboard underneath to help slide it into the back (seats were down and there were a couple moving blankets underneath that cardboard to pad). I would take off the reproducer and tonearm before moving and of course remove the crank. And also don't forget the Credemza should lay on its back, with the doors on the top side!

Excellent to know - and thank you! I have only moved a few table tops and uprights. I usually take the motor out of the upright machines. Worth doing that with a Credenza? This will be my first one (and hopefully my main player)....

PinnacleReproducer wrote:Excellent to know - and thank you! I have only moved a few table tops and uprights. I usually take the motor out of the upright machines. Worth doing that with a Credenza? This will be my first one (and hopefully my main player)....

Oh yes! The motor and turntable should be removed as well to ensure safety! They are pretty important parts of the machine!

Make sure the needle cups are empty before tilting it back!

You don't need to remove the motor to transport a Credenza on its back or side, as long as you assure the motorboard is bolted firmly in place, with no bolts missing or stripped.

Remove the turntable (friction fit; pull straight up) and needle cups and reproducer and crank, and immobilize the tonearm by artfully looping rubber bands around it and nearby other elements, to prevent it from wildly swinging.

If the thing is too heavy to lift, then you can remove the motorboard and motor, and the back panels - but this shouldn't be necessary. If you do pull the motorboard/motor, be super careful not to mess up the brake or tonearm.

Protect the lid from flopping open and scarring itself, too.

I have moved four different Credenzas in the past few years with the seats folded down in my little Subaru Imprezza.
Moving blankets and cardboard are good advice. I also put a few wraps of shrink wrap around the lid and doors to keep them closed while transporting.
As mentioned, remove the crank, reproducer, needle cup, needles, and turntable and wrap and box them separately.
For practice, move a couple of 10-50s first and the Credenza will seem like a child's toy.

My advice would be to bring two strong friends, then fake a back injury.

Make things easy on yourself and remove the motorboard. The four-spring motor and larger board add a bit of top weight to an already heavy unit; Circa 200lbs? There are only four large screws, so bring a broad-bladed screwdriver. Also, should you chose to remove the tone-arm assembly, carefully place it in a plastic bag lest you lose some of those pesky ball bearings. Congratulations on your buy and please post some pics when you return home.