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Value of old classroom record players?

radiotvnut

radiotvnut

Super Member
OK, before anyone starts in on me, I know these types of record players are not the best thing to play records on; but, I was fascinated by the old Califone, Audiotronics, Newcomb, etc. models that were used when I was in elementary school. Years ago, I even had a few that I eventually gave away to people who would enjoy them; but, I'm now starting to develop an interest in collecting certain models that I remember from my yonger days.

So, I go to ebay and I'm floored at the asking prices for many of these units. The ones I used to own were either free or close to free. I've still got a few machines that I bought off ebay, years ago; and, I didn't pay very much for them. Among what I still have is a Newcomb AV10 with a SE-EL84 output stage, a maroon cased '50's Newcomb with a 50C5 output tube, and an Audiotronics 300A with an EL84 output stage. I also have one of the big Newcomb TR models from the '50's (all ebay purchases).

After I saw all the current insane asking prices on ebay, I looked at completed listings and most of what actually sold was in the $25-$75 range, with a few that sold for over $100 and two that sold for over $200 (I still can't figure that one out). I like these things; but, I can't see paying those kinds of prices for them. So, am I missing something here on the prices? I figure $5-$20 for one that needs work and possibly up to $50 for one that looks nice and works is more than fair. I guess all the sellers who are asking big prices for these things saw the ones that sold for $200 and think they can get that for theirs (well, I guess they can if two people get in a bidding war).

Another thing I'm seeing is that not many of the older tube models are showing up on ebay and when they do show up, they are generally on the high(er) side. I wonder if the supply of the older tube units are drying up or if people are gutting them for the amplifiers and the players are never making it to ebay?
 
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The tube units go for a lot to people who want to guy them for the amps, is my guess. Mono units for guitar amps, stereo for hi-fi guys. Just my thought; I have seen them go for silly money as well; but not the transistor units.
 
They tend to go for more than I personally think they are worth. As much as people tend to knock them if you think about it they were built to handle getting knocked around, moved, dropped, used by kids etc.

When I was in high school they still used a old all in one tube unit for square dancing in P.E. class. They've never done anything to it besides replace the needle once a year and it still worked and played just fine 40-50 years later. Heck I watched it take a 6 ft. fall (off a stage onto the floor) and be picked up and and played immediately. Doubt to many regular tables could handle that.
 
Several years ago, I called an old classmate who works in maintenance for the local school district and I asked if they had any old record players stashed away. He said that all of their old record players went to auction and were dumped when no one bid on them. Had I known about the auction, I could have probably gotten a truckload of record players for a few dollars.
 
ra7c7er said:
They tend to go for more than I personally think they are worth. As much as people tend to knock them if you think about it they were built to handle getting knocked around, moved, dropped, used by kids etc.

When I was in high school they still used a old all in one tube unit for square dancing in P.E. class. They've never done anything to it besides replace the needle once a year and it still worked and played just fine 40-50 years later. Heck I watched it take a 6 ft. fall (off a stage onto the floor) and be picked up and and played immediately. Doubt to many regular tables could handle that.
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I notice that Califone still offers a classroom record player; but, it looks very similar to a Crosley. Their current model doesn't even have corner protectors or a headphone jack.

Many of the older models were built like tanks and sounded good for what they are.

I'm still going to keep looking at ebay in hopes that something of interest will come along.

The ones I currently own are mainly used to play 78's and some LP's/45's that are not in the best of shape.
 
radiotvnut said:
I notice that Califone still offers a classroom record player; but, it looks very similar to a Crosley. Their current model doesn't even have corner protectors or a headphone jack.

Many of the older models were built like tanks and sounded good for what they are.

I'm still going to keep looking at ebay in hopes that something of interest will come along.

The ones I currently own are mainly used to play 78's and some LP's/45's that are not in the best of shape.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I watch them. I really want a second player to play some lesser condition records I have and a school player would fit perfectly and it wouldn't have to interfere with my main system.
 
Started out as a $15 eBay purchase a few years ago,…. Now my daily driver.
Bogen-Presto VP-18 suitcase kit (with B-P B51 by Lenco); now on soapstone:

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Thanks, guys.
The base unit was from the Colorado University system, which is why I posted it in this thread. It had an A/V Dep't tag on it (yellow tag in top right corner of the amplifier portion). The amp was a mono solid state transistor amp that had burned out. I was not attracted to the amp, rather I wanted it for the TT, the B-P B51 (Lenco B51).

The auction listing suggested that nothing on it worked, which was true, as the TT was plugged into a portion of the circuitry for the amp, and it was dead via that power source. But when plugged in to a good 120vac circuit (extension cord from wall), it ran fine.
So no one else bid on it, and I won it as the solo bidder at the opening bid.

I love the lines of that particular Lenco design, with the fat round corners of the top plate. The typical Lenco top plate has rounded corners, but really small tight radius curves. These curves are far fatter radii that really appealed to me.
So I bought a heavy Lenco platter and its matching heavy bearing, and converted the deck into a heavy platter deck, and, filled the original light platter with a round of MDF below it to fill the void, and add mass, and made it a stacked platter, heavy platter conversion deck.
 
Brings back the 50s. Rainy day recess. You could stay in your classroom and goof off, or go to the auditorium and learn how to square dance. I was in charge of the phonograph. How many of you remember "Oh, Johnny, Oh"?
 
I have a 3 ft. tall stack of those 78RPM school square dance records. Who here remembers "Patty Cake Polka"?
 
There was a Califone in one of the local thrift stores recently but it was too far gone to save. Had it been a little better I would have snagged it.
 
I remember looking at those old Caliphone sets & going, "Hmmmmmm..." The local school system was STILL using them in the 1980s-early '90s..
 
Well, I just bought this thing (Califone 1430K from the '70's) off ebay. During my elementary school days of the '80's, this was one of the newer models that we had. The rest were older Rheem-Califone units. The seller says that the speed is uneven on this one; but, I'm sure cleaning, lubrication, and possibly a new drive wheel will take care of that problem. This is the model with the light on the end of the tonearm.

 
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