This Philco model 48-1201 "Bing Crosby" AM radio/78 rpm record player has been at my local flea market for years and it belonged to one of the vendors who is not too wild about coming off of his prices. The thing is not perfect; but, looks better than most of the ones that I've seen. However, the $85 price tag always seemed to hold me back. Today, I talked to the owner about it and he said he'd see what he could do on the price. He ended up giving me the standard 10% discount, which brought it down to $76.50 + tax which brought it up to $81.85. OK, I know. I probably paid too much, right?
All that I've done was lift the top to determine what model this is, as they made a '46 and a '48 version. The only difference I see between the two is that the '46 version uses an electrodynamic speaker and large IF transformers. The '48 model uses a PM speaker and the smaller IF transformers. While under there, I noticed that the dial string is broken. And, I'm sure the radio chassis and phono mechanism will need the usual attention (new power cord, new caps, new idler wheel, new cartridge, etc).
Now, a question for those of you who have restored these models. Did you use a modern ceramic cartridge or did you have the old flat crystal cartridge rebuilt?
This makes 3 players of this type that I own. The one I just bought today, a '46 version, and a modified '48 version with some added features for "talking book" playback (33/78 rpm, a tone arm lift, and a device for placing the tonearm anywhere on the record). The other two are not in near as good of condition as this one and both of them are currently torn apart in a box, waiting on me to get back on them. I probably won't tear in to my newest one until I have time to work on it from start to finish.
08-15-2010, 08:03 PM
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