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I wanted to be guilty of pulling parts - I bid on a Credenza, intending to tell the seller to send me the tonearm/repro assembly & the motorboard/motor/crank assembly, then do as he wished with the rest. It had a brass reproducer. I wonder if the highest bidder is trying the same !

http://cgi.ebay.com/VICTROLA-PHONOGRAPH ... 0549763069

I really wanted that machine. It was in my part of the woods, it was a very low serial number (slightly over 2000), a 2-door model, and still had it’s original brass reproducer. I talked to the seller many times about my desire to keep it together and restore it as she had numerous (more than 75) emails asking if she would part it out. I did have to factor my cost in gas as well as time and materials to restore it, which is why I lost the bidding in the end. Should I have bid more, probably, but I am sure there will be many others in my collecting career, as I am really just beginning. In the end the seller told me that it went to a collector not far from her who had been restoring for 23years and had only ever seen 2 or 3 before. Here’s hoping a historically significant machine becomes whole again and doesn’t just become parted out due to the value of the reproducer, and other parts.

Edisone wrote:I wanted to be guilty of pulling parts - I bid on a Credenza, intending to tell the seller to send me the tonearm/repro assembly & the motorboard/motor/crank assembly, then do as he wished with the rest. It had a brass reproducer. I wonder if the highest bidder is trying the same !

http://cgi.ebay.com/VICTROLA-PHONOGRAPH ... 0549763069

lame.

brianu wrote:

lame.

Hardly.

Hmm, well said. I'm convinced. Rip that thing apart.

Someone got a great deal! That was like buying the brass #5 and getting the Credenza for free. As for the condition of the machine as a whole - I've started with worse. I'm just amazed to see the value of a Credenza has dropped so low. There was one that ended today on eBay for $251.00 and I've noticed several lately selling for less than $300. Personally, I would take a Credenza over anything and can't believe they are so cheap right now. P.S. There was a pair of front doors (two door model) on eBay recently that sold for next to nothing.

Yes, I saw this Credenza as well and would have loved to get it. unfortunately it was half a continent away. I also saw the two doors listed on ebay the same time very cheap and thought someone will get himself a complete machine. I agree, I started with much worse machines, I would have never parted this one out.
Andreas

spin78's wrote:...I'm just amazed to see the value of a Credenza has dropped so low. There was one that ended today on eBay for $251.00 and I've noticed several lately selling for less than $300. Personally, I would take a Credenza over anything and can't believe they are so cheap right now. P.S. There was a pair of front doors (two door model) on eBay recently that sold for next to nothing.

This one's been available here in Indianapolis for about 2 months now. I'm surprised it hasn't sold at that price, as it looks good. I haven't called, don't know the playing condition. Last year I finally got my own Credenza, & I'm quite happy with it. It's a 1926 model also, & the soundbox has been rebuilt. My enthusiasm for vintage machines far exceeds my ability to pursue them, but for me it was 24 years between first reading about the famous Credenza to actually owning one. The next most gorgeous Orthophonic in my view would be the 8-35, with original albums. One of our fellow listmembers had one offered for sale a few months ago, & I had the nice experience of seeing & hearing it. But alas, the funds just weren't there. That 8-35 was beautifully restored...and had original albums.

Sorry, folks-I did'nt quite get the Craigslist ifo in the last post. I'm more Victrola-savvy than computer-savvy, so let's try again:

[email protected]

Anyway, that's the listing number for the Indianapolis Credenza.

I have debated about going to get the one in Indianapolis for a while now. It's only about 4.5hours from me. It has been there for a while, wonder if they would consider a lower offer given the price they seem to be selling on eBay right now. I still am not convinced that the Credenza is all that superior to my rebuilt 8-4. Guess I'll start a debate with that comment.