Anyone here in to vinyl? Part II

[lightedcontrols]

Found this today. The unit is in two parts. The record player sits on a base that has a speaker in it too! This Philco is in perfect shape. The dial lights, the changer works perfectly, and no hum!!! The cartridge is original with the original needle. This is the first player of this type that the needle and the tilting cartridge has been good that I've found. Roanoke seems to be Philco (the old ones) Magnavox, and RCA land. Robert found a ''The Fisher'' console the other day that was in exceptional shape. Anyway, here's some photos of the Philco......Mark

 

[lightedcontrols]

Philco

lit dial!

 

[lightedcontrols]

Inside

....here's the chnger with the nodding spindle....I have the 45 spindle but it's not in the photo...

 

[lightedcontrols]

lower base

the record player sits on this base and two wires are attached to a speaker, so there are two speakers.... I guess it's hi-hi-fi!

 

[lightedcontrols]

here's the full view of this player....

I'm listening to 78's on it now. Doesn't sound bad at all!

 

[lightedcontrols]

I got this because...

It's the very same changer and control knobs that were on my Grandparents B&W TV - Hi-fi Console of the 50's! Ah, such memories!!!

 

[63getelevision]

That is so neat!! My Uncle Charles(father's side)worked for Philco for years! I inherited a car trunk load of his old records in the '70s. I was in Virginia on the weekend of Sept. 8-9, wasn't allowed to look for anything. Never actually saw anything Uncle C. had, either.

 

[lightedcontrols]

My daily driver

Zenith.....don't know the year. Mark

 

[lightedcontrols]

...has a

pilot light. Guess it's hard to see as it's so bright in the room.

 

[lightedcontrols]

top is open!

Top open

 

[lightedcontrols]

tuner dials

LOVE this tuner. The little lights move as you turn the knobs. Zenith was always so inventive with this kind of thing.

 

[lightedcontrols]

belt drive changer

true belt drive changer that had the built in 45 spindle.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Oooh, I love those consolettes. Nice find!
Is it me, or does that tonearm (goonhandle) look a little Cobra-Maticish?

veg

 

[lightedcontrols]

45 spindle up

This set plays usually two or three times a week. The record player will run for 8 or 9 hours as we play cards with Aunt and Uncle. Mark

 

[veg-o-matic]

Whoopsie!

Didn't know you were still posting. I meant the Philco tonearm, of course.

Love those Zenith's with the foldaway 45 spindle. I used to date a girl (!!) whose parents owned one.

veg

 

[lightedcontrols]

Veg

While Robert (roanoke Robert) disagrees with me on this. I'm with you. For a while the Philco and Zenith had lots in common.....including the tonearms that looked v e r y cobramatic...ish. This changer reminds me of a ''kind of'' VM but it's a belt drive with the record toucher in the back. Zenith later used VM changers with differing tonearms....but underneath......VM all the way!

 

[lightedcontrols]

My first console!

I bought this in 1972 (first year in high school) at Bill Hall's Appliances on Missouri Avenue in Clearwater Florida. I also have the reel-to-reel tape deck that goes with it, but it's in the warehouse boxed up. I saved up my money babysitting and cleaning neighbors houses and bought it! That same year I also bought a Frigidaire top loading dishwasher....the one knob wonder, but what a great dishwasher!!!! I also bought later that same year a Frigidaire Dryer. The one that had the tall backsplash with the doors that you could store the detergent and bleach in. Couldn't get the washer as they were already out of production. Can't find the receipt just now but here's the Magnavox. I think it cost around $472.00 with tax etc... Mark

 

[lightedcontrols]

It's down in the den...

and when I want some quiet time, I use it. Still plays perfectly. Here's a photo of the Astro-Sonic Solid State tuner.

 

[lightedcontrols]

the record changer

...with the locking tonearm. Just replaced the needle about 4 years ago. Never had a problem with this set. Mark

 

[lightedcontrols]

Here's the....

....paperwork that I COULD find. The bill of sale is somewhere around here! Mark
PS. As soon as I get a chance, I'll get photos of the Motorola that's still in the box for you guys. Mark

 

[63getelevision]

Here's one of my Magnavoxes, it is the Astro-Sonic 200, retailed for about $298.90 in 1969. The finish is original, the sound is phenomenal for the cheap set. It could use a new pick-up, and the changing mechanism sticks, otherwise I would be playing the heck out of it.

 

[fonografmaniac]

lightedcontrols, i love your console, especially the record changer. it might be an early 60's model. is it a tube unit?

 

[fonografmaniac]

63getelevision, does your '69 magnavox has the micromatic or automatic turntable?

 

[63getelevision]

Do not adjust your monitor, it's antiqued green. It's a four speed Micromatic, with the changer wheel that is binding at the moment. I have to take the platter off and push the wheel back at this time. No way to run a Magnavox!

 

[fonografmaniac]

my 1969 player is just like that but it has 2 plastic anchor locks like in your portable unit instead of the spring screws whatever they called like in this one. it works, but it needs a needle like i mentioned in the other blog in "Anyone here in to vinyl?"

 

[63getelevision]

Those are "lock down latches" which I think most people didn't use when transporting any of those sets. I have a couple with them. You have the most expensive portable Magnavox made that year, without the radio. I just bought one with the radio. I still want one without.

 

[fonografmaniac]

my '67 portable has the screw lock-downs sand i read jasonl's blog on the other thread he metention that has changer is leaning towards the back mines is the sameway too and still is. i replace the old ev cartridge with nos astatic one and replaced the 8" woofers with a 1970 fisher one made by cts that came out of a fisher, but other than that it sounds great and when i made the vid it still had the original which it was on itz last legs. btw those magnavox speaker drivers are also made by cts rebadged mangnavox except for the horn tweeters which is made by jensen also rebadged magnavox.

 

[lightedcontrols]

Hi fonographmaniac!

The Zenith is a tube system.
Hi GETV! Those cartridges and needles are available on the internet! Usually those ceramic cartridges don't go bad though. Just put the number of the cartridge or needle in a google search and VIOLA! Mark

 

[washabear]

Any BSR fans (or nonfans) here? I found this somewhat incomplete (abandoned?) website about BSR changers awhile back. Check it out for an entertaining look at the brand. Be sure to look at the recruitment ads!

http://www.bsr-mcdonald.co.uk/

 

[fonografmaniac]

well, washabear here's a youtube vid of my 1970's sears/bsr tt.