nice tt at estate sale - any idea on what it is??
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Arkay
Lunatic Member
Never seen that one, that I can recall, but I'd GRAB it, just based on appearances.
The tonearm looks to me like one of the oil-damped Grace ones, which are well-appreciated, even today. Used on Sakuma tables: http://www10.big.or.jp/~dh/codo/arm/arm.html
Also pictured here: http://members.myactv.net/~je183/retro.htm
If that is a Grace arm (not sure; there were a few others with similar shape), it's worth getting, just for the arm. The two buttons on top of the headshell are probably a way of switching between styli (78 vs 33/45).
The wording below the knob on the left looks like "Majestic" to me. I can't find any turntable that matches that name and looks like yours, though. There is mention of a Grundig Majestic, though, in a listing for replacement styli. (?
)
Someone here will probably have one, and ID it better than I can. I do think the arm is a Grace one, but I could be wrong; there were others with a similar shape.
UPDATE: Okay, "Majestic" now looks like "Realistic," after bhundo mentioned it. Yes, it's probably a Realistic one. I think bhundu is right, even though the pic he shows isn't the identical model. Well, I tried!
If it's a Realistic, then I'd still go check it out, but I think I'd walk briskly, instead of running!
The tonearm looks to me like one of the oil-damped Grace ones, which are well-appreciated, even today. Used on Sakuma tables: http://www10.big.or.jp/~dh/codo/arm/arm.html
Also pictured here: http://members.myactv.net/~je183/retro.htm
If that is a Grace arm (not sure; there were a few others with similar shape), it's worth getting, just for the arm. The two buttons on top of the headshell are probably a way of switching between styli (78 vs 33/45).
The wording below the knob on the left looks like "Majestic" to me. I can't find any turntable that matches that name and looks like yours, though. There is mention of a Grundig Majestic, though, in a listing for replacement styli. (?
)Someone here will probably have one, and ID it better than I can. I do think the arm is a Grace one, but I could be wrong; there were others with a similar shape.
UPDATE: Okay, "Majestic" now looks like "Realistic," after bhundo mentioned it. Yes, it's probably a Realistic one. I think bhundu is right, even though the pic he shows isn't the identical model. Well, I tried!
If it's a Realistic, then I'd still go check it out, but I think I'd walk briskly, instead of running!
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G'day all, yes Tsunami warning: http://www.abc.net.au/news/ Regards, Felix aka catman.
bhundu
Addicted Member
Initially I was thinking Lenco by the arm. Younger eyes spotted the "Realistic" Arkay. Did a "realistic turntable" image search and came across the MVII. It confirmed the make but after 26 pages of searches and 15 pages of searches with "realistic record player" the MVII was all I found.
I'm guessing it would be an idler. From the depth of the plinth (custom?) it looks like it would have a transcription worthy motor. I'd chuck a hundred at this if it was me.
A bit of a bump as I'm sure someone here might have some knowledge. Looks 60's to me.
I'm guessing it would be an idler. From the depth of the plinth (custom?) it looks like it would have a transcription worthy motor. I'd chuck a hundred at this if it was me.
A bit of a bump as I'm sure someone here might have some knowledge. Looks 60's to me.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
Not much worry here. The wave increase here would probably be barely noticeable; I didn't even bother to waste time walking down to the harborfront to look for it. While theoretically a big wave funneling through the harbor could cause serious damage in some places, where I am, the waves would have to be much higher than those that his Japan, and we're much farther away. The Japanese Islands themselves, Taiwan and the curving China coast itself are all helping to buffer any impact. Ironically, people in Vancouver or Seattle should probably be more worried about it than people in Hong Kong: the waves have a straight, unbroken path across the ocean to them.
Anyone in areas where the warning is up, should stay away from low-lying areas -evacuate temporarily, if necessary. Better safe than sorry. At least people elsewhere have warning; the Japanese had very little time (if any) to prepare; in most cases, too little time to do anything much about it, except go upstairs. In areas where whole houses wash away, that doesn't help much. I hope our AK friends living in Japan are okay...
beatcomber
AK Member
Looks like it has a General Electric VR-II or VPX mono moving iron cartridge, which is still sought after.
That would be a great machine to base a mono system around. I'd love to own that table!
If it is indeed a Realistic, go here and see if you can find it: www.radioshackcatalogs.com
I'd check the 1955-1958 catalogs.
That would be a great machine to base a mono system around. I'd love to own that table!
If it is indeed a Realistic, go here and see if you can find it: www.radioshackcatalogs.com
I'd check the 1955-1958 catalogs.
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bhundu
Addicted Member
Looks like it has a General Electric VR-II or VPX mono moving iron cartridge, which is still sought after.
That would be a great machine to base a mono system around. I'd love to own that table!
If it is indeed a Realistic, go here and see if you can find it: www.radioshackcatalogs.com
I'd check the 1955-1958 catalogs.
Indeed. It's got mono written all over it. Would love to have it.
Edit: If not a 78 rig perhaps. 1mm stylus.
beatcomber
AK Member
The knob on the left appears to be a speed changer. The nice thing about those old GE carts is it's easy to flip from a microgroove stylus to a 78 stylus, and replacements are cheap and plentiful. They even sell 1 mil and .7 mil tips.
DON'T play your stereo records on this machine! (That included mono records cuts after 1967!)
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
Well, I couldn't find the Mark VII, but there's a nice blurb on the Mark VIII on page 37 of http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1960/
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
This is really a broadcast type turntable made in Japan by some good firm. The Tonearm mounted is a Grace oil damped Gray clone tonearm. Mr. Okie Sugano of Koetsu moving coil fame loved these superb tonearms. Much better than ceramic cartridge quality. Some radio stations which had to watch their pennies used this gear on air and had good success with it. The Grace arm is as good as any Gray viscous damped tonearm in every aspect.
They're still available, in both diamond and sapphire.
voltcontrol
Fizheuer Zieheuer
Go grab it! :yes:
