Demise of the 10-50?

[OrthoFan]

I did a cursory google craigslist search for "Orthophonic" today and came up with three ads for 10-50s

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/clt/1290626971.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/at ... 52807.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/clt/1293344249.html

Two are in working condition.

I remember a few others up for sale within the past few months.

Seems just a few short years ago when they were the "gotta' have" model. From the standpoint of sound quality, they were the best the US had to offer. Are collectors downsizing? Disillusioned? Going deaf?

[brianu]

I wouldn't necessarily begin prophesizing the end... those machines are HEAVY and difficult to transport... compared to a credenza, which is by comparison, virtually portable, and has quite a good sound. the 10-50 is, on top of the weight and size, also something of a high maintenance machine, no? considering the changer, the pot metal components and all (that is, if you want it working fully and properly).

so far as the three you posted, well, they're all in CA, so that limits things for a lot of people who may otherwise be interested. more specifically, the first seems to be something of a basket case, the second is, well, let's say priced non-competitively. and the third I think is carsten's and has no price available.

in any event, I'd say people with 10-50's are quite happy with them and probably won't let them go - at least the people I know. as for the rest of us who might want one, the cost, labor and distance/transport will probably always be the challenge.

[phonophan79]

What Brian mentioned is very true, these are so big to the point of impracticality. Also, I think while the 10-50 is still quite the status symbol, King over even the mighty Credenza... the problem, as has been discussed in past threads, is all the proprietary parts that this 10-50 uses, pot-metal parts, parts no longer made, and parts that are very expensive to have custom made.

[JohnM]

The pot metal parts are not currently being reproduced so unrestored examples are a tad risky right now.

The 10-50 in LA looks really nice!

John M

[OrthoFan]

I guess the thing that surprised me is that, just a few years ago, so many collectors I knew were buying one, or were looking for one. Lately, though, I've seen quite a number for sale--ebay, craigslist--though some may be the same machines, re-listed, I guess.

In any event, I'm well aware of the size/weight. A few years ago, I listened to the one for sale in San Francisco. It is a big monster, indeed, but in beautiful condition--from a cosmetic, mechanical and sonic standpoint. It made me want to go home and throw rocks at my lowly 4-40.

[richardh]

.....the proprietary parts that this 10-50 uses, pot-metal parts, parts no longer made, and parts that are very expensive to have custom made.

The VE9-55 uses the same auto changer which sufferes from the pot metal parts. I have the gears for the record size selector custom made and I can confirm that they were VERY expensive!! Its a real shame that Charlie Wetherbee isn't making them anymore...unless anyone else knows anything different.

Thing is I guess if you do want one of these machines in full working order then you'll just have to stump up the cash to have things custom cast and ground...or learn how to do it yourself.

RJ

[larryh]

Exactly why I stopped long ago trying to have old automatic electric phonographs repaired and stuck to ones I could manage my self if necessary.

[JohnM]

Paul Baker told me years ago that the gears can be eliminated in these by the use of U-joints. Not exactly original, but functional I suppose.

Could anyone on the board provide a list of which parts specifically must be replaced in these? I've never owned one and don't know.

John M

[Guest]

Says??????? You should check with Mr. Weatherbee

[barnettrp21122]

Paul Baker told me years ago that the gears can be eliminated in these by the use of U-joints. Not exactly original, but functional I suppose.

Could anyone on the board provide a list of which parts specifically must be replaced in these? I've never owned one and don't know.

John M

Relying on memory alone (I'm away from home on a trip) the pot-metal pieces are:
The two gears that switch the ten and twelve-inch setdown position of the tonearm, the size selection lever on the front panel, the tone-arm collar under the motorboard, and the base of the record magazine holder. I may have missed something.
You could probably get by with just the last two pieces listed if playing twelve-inch records wasn't a priority.
The replacement castings seemed somewhat rough. I was surprised at the amount of finishing work I had to do with the magazine base to make it work smoothly.
Bob