Resurrection of a 1960's Symphonic record player & rant about cartridge prices

[@senorverde09]

I'd say a fair majority of eBay cartridge sellers are the picker types who buy up entire service/repair shops after the owner retires/expires. Therefore, they know little about what they're selling and act dumbfounded when you open a case against them when the 'new old stock' ceramic/crystal cartridge you bought from them arrives at your door stone dead. That's why I'm a big fan of Gary at VoM. He takes the time to test every product he sells.

[@radiotvphononut]

The only way I'll buy cartridges from an Ebay flipper is if it's cheap enough that I can afford to eat it if it's a dud; but, even at that, those small dud purchases add up. I'd much rather buy cartridges from someone like Gary, who knows their product and stands behind what they sell.

[@TheSoundrookie]

Sadly, greed is a virtue nowadays. Not only when it comes to cartridges, but in all matters. Using your elbows, filling your pockets, and pissing on everything and everyone around you is the parole of today.

[@ShadowsOnTheScreen]

You really know your stuff, and your videos are very informative. Thank you for taking the time to make them. This video made it appear that repairing them does not bring you pleasure.

[@jimmyday9536]

You should hear him complain about the Crosley Cruiser phonographs 🤣😁

[@craignehring]

Push that output through a big amp like a PA amp and guitar speakers... we did that when we were poor

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

If you were lucky that sounded pretty good.

[@stephenmusch56]

Yeah radiotvphononut, it's like people on Ebay that sell an old AA5 radio for lots of money just because it's old and has vacuum tubes! Antique stores are the same way.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

Interesting how they did the amplifier power supply. The class A amplifier has a fairly constant power consumption whether blasting music or not. I wonder if the motor was adapted to the reduced voltage? I would think it would have to be set for 80 Volts. But maybe not.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Yeah we played that game here in Louisville Kentucky. High of 63 at 2pm and a low of 16 Tuesday morning. Lots of fun. Always enjoy watching your videos. Very informative 👍

[@bg147]

I think I bought this model at an auction for a dollar. Had a broken tone arm. I repaired it where it was working but managed to try and make it perfect which resulted in its destruction. Leave well enough alone is the lesson I might finally be learning.

[@stevendegiorgio3143]

Sounds really good and your right it's not worth a complete restore.Thats much better than the crosley junk of today.

[@chiIinviIin]

He is mad as hell in this video lol

[@RoughJustice2k18]

Actually this is one of his "good days". I'd hate to catch him on a bad day.

[@chiIinviIin]

@@RoughJustice2k18 Seems to be pissed in every video

[@patricknesbitt4003]

Been in the electronics world for 45 years and I don't think I've ever seen a transistor amp as simple as that one.

[@daleburrell6273]

0:18...YOURE DOING BETTER THAN WE ARE-!!!

[@ralphhoskins2115]

Hey buddy .. I just bought a nice three tube zenith portable cobra matic that needs your professional touch..after the zenith radio I’m attempting to repair..needless to say.. these videos make repairs look a lot easier than they are... lol...

[@manFromPeterborough]

My black Crosley Bruiser will last since it gets little use

[@franklynpolster8949]

"Walk on water" by Neil Diamond... last record played. Lol

[@vinylcity1599]

Shoot, you'd be lucky to git 5 years out of a crosley!

[@thomasball3658]

What record is that,the one on the USA label.

[@AstroSonic1967]

Pfhanstiehl 's replacements for the 89t are expensive. On ebay they go for $19.95 for a single sapphire tip for 78s or a single tip for LP diamond for 45s. Why can't make a flip over with a 78 on one side and the LP on the othe like the original Astatic version. I have record changers in my collection that use the 89t and I don't want to keep swapping out cartridges all the time in order to play LPs or 78 records.

[@radiotvphononut]

I feel the same way and I'm not crazy about the Pfanstiehl versions. I've had good luck with the green 78-only cartridge (that I mainly use in 78-only record players); but, the red LP-only cartridge does not sound that great, does not track well, and will only reproduce one channel of a stereo record (the originals combined L and R to mono). The best ones are Astatic and EV originals; but, they are getting scarce and expensive. In the '90's, I could buy them all day long from the local parts house for $5 and some change.

[@AstroSonic1967]

@@radiotvphononut Thanks for the information about the green 78-only cartridge. I currently use an 89T in a 1947 Magnavox Georgian with the Webster 56 78 only changer. I can't believe how good the Astatic 89T plays 78s. After the 78 stylus wears out, I use the cartridge in a Webcor changer for playing LP/45s only. I might save my stash of original Astatic 89Ts for all speed changers and give the green 78 only cartridge a try on the Webster changer.

[@force311999]

why not keep the amp and speaker that match and make yours in to stereo

[@misterhat5823]

Greedy? ePay? You don't say...

[@matthewbestdfghy]

Had the first snow this season in St. Louis Missouri

[@emorris272]

I live close to you.

[@wyokaiju992]

Anyway i could get the amp and speaker from it?

[@ralphhoskins2115]

Wyo engineer that’s easy bud,, buy it... it’s on eBay right now...

[@christopher88719]

Does anyone know a good material to use to recover these things? It is almost like the vinyl top material on cars just even thinner.

[@brianandrews7099]

In the US anyway, most of the portable record players in the 50’s and 60’s were covered with a material called Tolex. It is still around. You might look at stewmac dot com.

[@christopher88719]

@@brianandrews7099 Thank you! I will check that out.

[@senorverde09]

Tolex, the same stamped leatherette material guitar amps/speakers/cabinets are covered in.

[@christopher88719]

@@senorverde09 Thanks! I had never heard of it before, I am glad I asked.

[@patricknesbitt4003]

Antique Radio Supply has Tolex material.

[@ThejasonJaw5442]

Love the resurrection Video's

[@shango066]

Ghost Rider that you for never say that smile

[@brianandrews7099]

How much did you charge the flea market seller to take it off his hands? Just kidding! I totally agree with you on the price of cartridges! I buy an old cheap record player occasionally, when I find something that “speaks to me”, I can it pick up dirt cheap, and can fix up for cheap; so they are usually dumpster bound if I don’t buy them. Since this is just a cheap hobby to me, I am not investing $25 plus in a cartridge for something that I couldn’t even sell for $20.00 when I am finished. The purist might hate me, but it more about saving a piece of the past from the county land fill to make something that can be used and enjoyed again than it is restoring every piece back to showroom new. I am not above using a cheap Crosley cartridge or even a cheap chinese eBay amp and preamp if the original guts are too far gone or missing altogether. Whatever gets the job done and makes the player sound good. I guess I am (or sometimes can be) a “restomodder” of old unwanted record players! Keep up the fun!

[@bootasinghwarring1109]

Very good sir Please one record Plyar send me

[@phononut]

Sheesh what a grouch! (Just kidding!)

[@ladamurni]

Why did you even bother? But what am I talking, I would have done the same.......

[@justsumguy2u]

For what it is, it doesn't sound horrible. I wouldn't buy any crystal cartridge from ebay, as most of them are not tested for output. Gary at VM has flip-over crystals...I bought one from him not too long ago, and it was far less than ebay prices

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

another great revival

[@OverUnity7734]

" . . . . Old times there are not forgotten Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land. In Dixie Land where I was born in Early on one frosty mornin' Look away! Look away! . . . "