The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I realize that electronic phonos are a bit off-topic for this forum, but for those of you who can really appreciate a fine Capehart, here's a rare find: A 414N-1 with the VERY hard to find 41E-2 flipover changer:

eBay Item #150426006960

This is the last version of the 41E changer that has the interchangeable tonearms and plays both 78 and 33rpm microgroove records, circa 1949. I'm posting this here to try to rescue this unit from the grimy clutches of the Western Weenies who are going to buy this console ONLY to rip out the Western Electric speaker from it so that they can mount it under glass and drool over it. Note that there is already a bidder question posted about wanting to see the speaker. Then they'll sell off the N-1 power amp with the 2A3 output triodes to some golden ear tube yahoos. Then they'll simply junk the rest of the console or turn it into a liquor cabinet. That would be a particular shame since this is appears to be a really nice and complete original example of a fine, RARE Capehart. Trust me: the 41E-2 machines are RARE! Let's see one of our TMF members give this complete unit the home it deserves. This model is particularly easy to enjoy while you're not playing records as it has the modern FM radio band which means you can actually listen to good radio programs on it. In glorious monophonic sound, of course. I don't have a problem with collectors mounting things under glass to admire, but to destroy a perfectly good, working piece of fine equipment just to preserve one part of it really grinds my gears. I'd bid on it, but I don't have room for it.

That is a beauty! Too bad I don't have the room OR the $$ I saw a Capehart console at the local Goodwill last week for $30.00 but it sure wasn't one of those! 1970s? all plasticy with an 8-track and a BSR changer!

Sheesh.....I've been watching this one, and it never occurred to me that the speaker could be a Western Electric. My first Capehart I bought for $3.00 in 1983 BUT it had the speakers yanked already. At that time, my euphoria was short-lived when I found out how difficult---and expensive---getting the replacement speakers would be. This one on eBay is THE one I'd like to find, but I don't have the room or the coin. As usual. By the way, as I understand it, the changer speed is governed by whichever tonearm is mounted (which I thought was a clever idea, if a little expensive to do). I have one of the cheaper Capehart drop changers with the 2 tonearms in the mahogany box, it's something like the model #33P, from 1948? 49? It has been in storage for years.

Kirkwood, you must have the OTHER changer that Capehart made with the interchangeable tonearms - yes, they made two basic models. This other changer was a variation on the earlier P-70 series drop-type that was one of the first designs ever to use the "umbrella" or "tripod" style stacking spindle. This style spindle was later revived by Dual, PE, and Miracord in their changers from the 1960s and later, where the records are fully supported by the spindle with no stabilizer arm. The early P-70 series were 78rpm only and had fixed tonearms. In 1948 they came out with the P-77 which offered the 78 and 33rpm speeds and used two interchangeable tonearms, one for each speed. About a year later, they changed the design to the P-777 which offered the 45rpm speed in addition to 78 and 33. I've been looking for either a P-77 or a P-777 for some time, so let me know if you would like to sell yours.

Well, the eBay Capehart sold for a cool $6099.99----but to who (whom?) Did this go to a collector that will prize and love the beast for the unique creature that it is, or to----as Mr Bogantz has put it---a "Western Weenie", who then yanks out the speaker. It's a pretty strong price to pay for something, just to part it out. It's really none of my business who bought it, or what they'll do with it, but it would be nice to know it's being saved intact so future generations can see and hear it.

I was the underbidder on this machine, sniper bid!. This is the machine to have. I would also, like to have a 500 series machine with remote.
I have a restored 100 series (pre war), the changer works flawlessly. It hasn't chipped or cracked a record.