Radio and Phonograph

• Jan 12, 2005

• #1

B

BogieMcFly

New in Town

Messages

31

Location

Southern California

I'm looking to buy a radio (thinking maybe Cathedral style) and also a phonograph or monograph. Art deco is a must.

I don't want actual ones from that period... unless I have no other choice. I'm bidding on a combo radio/phonograph on Ebay. I hear that there's a company that makes these things, that LOOK old, but are electrical, and modern.

Anybody know where I could get such items?

In Christ,
Shane

 

• Jan 12, 2005

• #2

L

LetterJ

New in Town

Messages

41

Location

St. Paul

Are you looking for something like this?

http://www.furniturecellar.com/products/15/html/15015.asp

or any of these (some overlap)?

http://www.fun-radios.com/productCat0.ivnu

The 2nd link has some more of the bigger setups.

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #3

W

Wild Root

Gone Home

Messages

5,532

Location

Monrovia California.

I can understand the reason why you want a modern repro. They have more to offer. But, if you want a real eye catcher and a real piece of history, you want a real vintage readio! Take a look at what cool true art deco sets you can find in the world of vintage radios.

Try finding a repro of these!

Root.

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #4

W

Wild Root

Gone Home

Messages

5,532

Location

Monrovia California.

There is one repro that I will say that I like. Since I am very picky when it comes to a repro, this one stands out as a very well designed set! It's a repro of the Sparton 1936 Sled radio. All blue glass cabinet with one of the most art deco styling!This set has AM/FM bands and a CD player! It is also the same size of the original! I find that some repros are smaller then the originals.

As for repro recordplayers, they work but one thing bugs the hell out of me about them. It's the tone arm!!! It looks like a vintage player and then looks as if some one took a modern playing arm out of a 1980's record player. Why can't they make a art deco cover for it??? Or something that looks old fashioned? I think I'll write these guys a letter and address the lack of design to the whole set.

Any way, good luck friend!

Root.

http://www.retroradiozone.com/crosley_cr_38_cd_radio.html

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #5

BD Jones

One of the Regulars

Messages

201

Location

Texas

There is an antique store here in Waco, TX that, as of last Sunday, had 4 vintage catheral/freestaning radios and two radio/phonograph cominations (freestanding as well). The best part is that they all looked fantastic and worked. The worst part is that the least expensive was $500!! (The most expensive was aroud $900).

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #6

W

Wild Root

Gone Home

Messages

5,532

Location

Monrovia California.

Yes the price of a 100% restored vintage radio/record combo can be high. I'm good friends with an antique radio repair man in my town. He's a dieing breed. He can take a radio that any one would think past the point of repair and he can make the silly thing work.

When it comes to record players, he doesn’t like fixing them I'll tell ya! They're hard to fix and find parts for. So, when you find one that has been restored, that's why the price is so high.

Any way, it's worth it cuz it will last a long time and the life of old tubes will surprise you!

Root.

PS. By "free standing" do you mean it's a console model?

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #7

B

BogieMcFly

New in Town

Messages

31

Location

Southern California

Yeah, those vintage ones do get expensive - which is another problem of mine. Being only an underclass (9-10th grade) high school student, I don't have a huge income.

But also, the reason I'd like one with say, a CD player in it, is because I'd like to replace the CD player in my room with something that fits the color pattern, and style, a little better.

But thanks for the pictures! I love those Cathedral style ones... so cool.

In Christ,
Shane

 

• Jan 15, 2005

• #8

BD Jones

One of the Regulars

Messages

201

Location

Texas

Wild Root said:

By "free standing" do you mean it's a console model?

Click to expand...

That's the word I was looking for. The only word that popped in my head was "free standing".

 

• Jan 16, 2005

• #9

W

Wild Root

Gone Home

Messages

5,532

Location

Monrovia California.

Cathedral style ones.

Well, I didn't post any photos of cathedral styled radios. Those were all streamlined models. Now, if you want to se what are considered a cathedral model by radio collectors (Like my self) here are a few good examples.

Root.

Now, the radio that made the cathedral popular! The Philco model 90!

 

• Mar 3, 2006

• #10

scotrace

Head Bartender

Staff member

Messages

14,376

Location

Small Town Ohio, USA

This just came home

It was in my wife's grandparents home in Geneva, Nebraska, bought new. Now it's in our living room.
RCA Victor. Any ideas where to get a replacement button?

 

• Mar 3, 2006

• #11

Lauren

Distinguished Service Award

Messages

5,060

Location

Sunny California

LetterJ said:

Are you looking for something like this?

http://www.furniturecellar.com/products/15/html/15015.asp

or any of these (some overlap)?

http://www.fun-radios.com/productCat0.ivnu

The 2nd link has some more of the bigger setups.

Click to expand...

Those are EXACTLY what I've been looking for as well. I have a crank phonograph but need something to play the later records. Thanks for the links!

 

• Mar 3, 2006

• #12

Absinthe_1900

One Too Many

Messages

1,628

Location

The Heights in Houston TX

Try looking for a Califone schoolhouse type phonograph.

They actually play early 78's better than more modern turntables, as well as later 78's.

They are easier on valuable 78's than a lot of wind-up machines.

You can usually find a decent Califone for a reasonable price, (On the dreaded eBay) and they are fairly bullet proof.

I have one I use for everything from 1920's-1940's 78's.

 

• Mar 8, 2006

• #13

Cousin Hepcat

Practically Family

Messages

774

Location

NC

Absinthe_1900 said:

Try looking for a Califone schoolhouse type phonograph.

They actually play early 78's better than more modern turntables, as well as later 78's.

They are easier on valuable 78's than a lot of wind-up machines.

You can usually find a decent Califone for a reasonable price, (On the dreaded eBay) and they are fairly bullet proof.

I have one I use for everything from 1920's-1940's 78's.

Click to expand...

Second that. Look for "Califone" and "audiotronics" and "rheem".

Can't reccomend the repros: But if you do buy one, try to buy one at a store where you can return it if need be. Several friends I know bought one either not working out of the box, or just stopped playing (in the middle of a record!) in < 30 days & they took it back for exchange. No quality control but if you get one that works you should be ok.

For anyone who might read this interested in late 40s or 1950s: They also make repro's with changers now (50s style cases, 70s style changers), if you're into that: (they sell these at brick-and-mortar stores like Restoration Hardware, least they did a year and a half ago):

I'd vote like most to go original but unfortunately they don't have many restored for sale these days and most need work (hardened rubber idlers, dead chrystal cartridges...)

http://www.crosleyradio.com/products/stacker/index.html