To piecemeal or sell as is??

[gramophone78]

So,here is a problem. A man has a Berliner. It is early but, is missing things like the record nut,crank,original tone arm and reproducer. It has a Columbia reproducer and a repro tone arm. The horn I think was a all black but someone has added a repro brass bell to it....???.
The question is.......should he sell it "as is" or in parts??. I myself would like to see machines stay together.

[brianu]

I fully agree about keeping machines together and resisting the urge to part them out because doing so will result in a better sale - that is, in cases of more or less complete machines.

this machine obviously hasn't been like this from the start, and has been pieced together already with incorrect parts from other machines. I don't see any problem in selling it whole or broken up in this instance... although, at least the original berliner components that appear to have remained together since it was new should hopefully remain together.

[phonojim]

That machine should definitely NOT be parted out. The bottom part looks to be all original but the tone arm assembly including the horn and reproducer obviously is not. If you do want to sell it sell as is. Or you can get proper repro parts to make it look as it should, but that's as far as I think you should go (unless you can find original parts).
That's my (not so) humble opinion.

Jim

[gramophone78]

Thank you both for the input. The man is willing to sell it as is. He has no idea what to ask for it. I told him I would see if anyone wants a project machine. As to worth.....all I could tell him "whatever one is willing to offer that you feel is fair". If anyone wants to PM me about this further....no problem. However, now I feel this should be moved to the "Yankee Trader" section.