I've been collecting old LPs for years, focusing on TV-related records and old comedy records, with some old political and sports related records thrown into the collection. Only problem was, I had nothing to play them with! Lately I've been watching the local craigslist for a vintage console stereo, and I've been watching ebay for a smaller tabletop or portable record player. So recently I landed on an auction for this beauty, and I bid aggressively and got it, and I'm glad I did.
It's a Sears Silvertone model 8247, blond walnut cabinet, with a 3-tube amp. Check out that great logo and the flecked fabric on the front. It's in great shape!!!
It's a beauty, and I could not be happier. I just need to buff out some light scuffs on the top and wax the finish. Right now I've got it beside the bar on one of our blonde end tables, because it's just a few inches too big to sit on my record storage rack.
I have some extra hairpin legs laying around, so I may try to build a table for it, or I may try to pick up some tapered spindle legs. Anyway, now we can listen to these records. Woo hoo!
Absolutely Awesome! I had one very similar to this one. Also a Silvertone from Sears. Only a darker finish. Fantastic style!
ReplyDeleteGreat find and congrats on winning it! I checked out a Sears Silvertone console just today and was amazed at how great it sounded.
ReplyDeleteSweet!!!
ReplyDeleteMy folks had a blond Hi Fi, and I've sort of kept my own eye out for one. Glad you found yours!
Nice! You gotta have a good record player, s'pecially if you are collecting records! I like this one a lot. The gold speaker fabric is really nice and that emblem looks like something that would be on a classic car. Nice score!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHi-Fi and Stereo are not the same thing. Hi-Fi was a kind of amped-up mono. You MAY want to check the covers of old stereo LPs to see if there is a notice indicating that it can be played safely on a mono record player. Early on in the stereo era, there were often warnings that a stereo record could be damaged if played on a mono player. Could be true, or I suppose it could have been a ploy to sell more stereos :-) Later stereo records were labeled as playable on non-stereo equipment.
I just love the styling on this, glad I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteI've wondered about the supposed warnings for playing stereo records on mono players. I'll have to learn more. The seller, whose hobby is collecting and restoring these players, told me it would play stereo records, and he sounds like he knows what he's doing.
I'm not really too concerned, most of my records have been bought for the cover art anyway. I'll be doing some upcoming posts on more of the cover art I've collected.
WOWeee! Cool lookin record player! I have one from the early 80's, but it's nothing compared to yours.. mine came with a tower sterio system my Dad purchased when I was a small kiddo!
ReplyDeleteMission Accomplished !! This player is identical to a 1960 photo of me and the same unit. Seven years old then. Now I'm a 62 year old bass head who can't get enough of my Canton subwoofer. It's a 50lb, 140watt, sonic thunder air piston. Let me know if you want the photo dated 1960 Feb for posting.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see that
DeleteJust provide an email for the photo. It's a stamped development/printing date on the border. Good thing I checked the site again since I did not receive "notify me" alert when you responded.
DeleteUncleAtom (at) g mail dot co M
DeleteSent. What does a vintage item like that go for nowadays? I'm guessing it was probably around $30 to $40 back then, or have you been able to find an accurate price.
ReplyDeleteI found mine on eBay and can't recall what I paid but it was reasonable, even with shipping. No idea what one cost originally, but you might luck into a brochure or (?) Sears catalog...
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