OK You Radio Experts - Need Advice on a Guild New Englander

[58limited]

Sorry for the poor pictures. This is a New Englander by Guild, A stereophonic system that looks like a roll-top desk. I found this for sale locally, they are asking $200.00. Can anyone tell me anything about this? Is $200 too much (assuming it works - I've sent a message asking that)?

 

 

 

[58limited]

Looks like a really neat stereo, but is big.

 

[paulg]

Guild Radio and Television Co.

Personally, I think it is worth it. Your call though.
Guild is a very fun defunct company. They made theme radios and phonographs. I'm not sure of the names, maybe y'all can help.
Radios that looked like lanterns ("The Town Crier")
Radios with a sewing theme ( "Buttons and Bows")
Radio/phonos that looked like gramophones (The Graphonola, I think)
Radios that looked like old phones ("The Country Belle")
I have "The Country Belle " and I gave my sister "Buttons and Bows". The knobs are shaped like thread bobbins.
Overall the radios are tube units, basic and easy to service. But then again I am a radioman. The phonos are all "the Voice of Music / VM" to the best of my knowledge so parts and restoration are no real trouble.
If the unit is in reasonable shape this would make a nice, usable conversation piece.

 

[tolivac]

Interesting looking set-but is it mono instead of stereo-only see one speaker.I am supposing the slots to the left of the TT are for record storage--the "DJ's" favorites

 

[58limited]

Here are some pics I found on the web showing more details, including the other speakers. There is a single 10" woofer in the middle. On each side is a 6x9" mid and 5 1/4" tweeter

http://s612.photobucket.com/albums/tt201/Twomuttheads/Guild New Englander 921ML/

 

[58limited]

Here is an ebay auction with several pics and a video.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ROLL-TOP-DESK-STEREO-PHONOGRAPH-RARE-GUILD-/250816160747

 

[tolivac]

Now I get it with this console Hi-Fi-interesting the speaker you see in the front is a "subwoofer" and the channel speakers are on the sides-left,right.And the 3 channel power amp inside for the left,right speakers and subwoofer.The seller gives a good demo of the machine-the FM tuner section needs a new tuning eye tube-or you can swap the eye tube from the AM tuner.Tuning is more critical on the FM with these early units.I didn't notice what the bids are on this-of course the TT needs a new stylus or probably a new cartridge.The stylus for the cartridge in it may be NLA.The TT will need a clean and lube job.Maybe even a new idler wheel.Yes,an unusual console Hi-fi.Probably the amps will need recapping.

 

[112561]

Even for $200 I'd grab that rolltop

Here's the Guild "Graphonola(?)" approximately 1959. There was or is one of these in Pineapple Patti's Antique Mall in Fort Pierce. I could swear this is the model Ricky and Lucy are tangoing to in the egg episode.

 

[paulg]

Teakettle too

There was a teakettle radio too. Very cool.
Your Graphonola is very nice.
I think Guild hit their peak in the 1950s and faded in the 1960s.

 

[112561]

Thank you, I don't own a Guild Graphonola, that's an Ebay pic. The one in the antique mall down here is around $125. Guild didn't send me like Magnavox does, but they had a product that apparently fit in quite well with the antiquey crowd. Another unforgettable and underappreciated item is the Curtis-Mathes of the '50s '60s ilk.

 

[firedome]

Think that's a Collaro turntable. Usually ceramic (high output) cartridge. Amp is kind of a bean counter special, smallish output trannies, probably 5U4 rectifier and perhaps 6bq5 (EL-84) outputs, or maybe 6gw8, if you're lucky they could be desirable US or Euro tubes if good, amp about 8-15 w/ch, depending on output tube. Likely AlNiCo magnet speakers, not sure the OEM, often Jensen in this era. Don't expect audiophile sound, these were all about the furniture. These opinions strictly by ex- Writer/Editor of the former Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine http://wwwvacuumtube.com ..(RIP Charlie K)... Roger A in NY

 

[firedome]

PS: 58limited - if the output tubes are vintage 6BQ5/EL-84 US RCA, GE or Amperex Bugle Boy or other Euro, test well and in matched pairs they could be worth the asking price alone. New tubes are available and start at about $12 ea.

 

[firedome]

Oh, one more thing, as mentioned the filter and coupling capacitors should be replaced if not done already. WARNING don't just plug it in & turn on, you risk a meltdown. There are only 2 kinds of original caps - those that have failed or those that are about to!

 

[58limited]

I'm going to see it this evening. The seller said it works, they have been using it.

 

[paulg]

VM changer

That record changer is VM and likely a lever-shift version 1264 or similar.
Check out The Voice of Music website and find the 1264 lever-shift. If you end up buying the unit, get the numbers off the changer and e-mail it to him. I'd bet he can match it more closely to the VM base model. I do know Guild bought from VM.
If the radio and amp are still running you'll be in really good shape.