Victrola!

[vicarz]

If I just buy the one I know about, not only will I have one less thing to think/worry about, but...it'll be one less thing. And one more thing.

Minus - I could hunt one down for less, that much is clear.
Plus - it's restored / refurbished (supposedly), has all of the record holders which is extra cool and very rare from what the net has shown me, it lets me continue my boycott of eBay, and Jill said so. Jill is usually right when she takes the time to tell me something 7 or 8 times or so.

Comments

[syn09.livejournal.com]

Be very careful with items that have been restored/refurbished especially with wood. If someone takes a wood paste to fill cracks in a frame then technically it's been refurbished but the value of the item has been practically destroyed. It some cases you're actually better off getting an item that's slightly damaged but still original as opposed to the same item that's been restored.

[baronsamdi.livejournal.com]

Depends why you want it. If you want "an antique," than something that's been refinished is bad news for sure. If you are an audiophile who wants a usable piece of equipment, than what you seek is the case with all the original parts present and preferably in working order. "Original condition" is not so much the goal there.

[syn09.livejournal.com]

That's very true. It's all in the reasoning.

Just a few points about refurbished

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

It is very true that people will slap some Old English on something with a wood putty filler underneath and call it refinished. However, "refurbished" by someone who is a craftsman is different. As is "restored" by a craftsman different than restored by Joe Blow Somebody Antique dealer person.

Re: Just a few points about refurbished

[syn09.livejournal.com]

Exactly, that's why people need to be careful. On more than one occasion when I lived in Michigan I'd come across an antique desk or chair or something that was refurbished. After I talked to the dealer I'd have the piece inspected by a third-party to certify the work done to restore the piece and on more than one occasion the inspector came back, to my dismay and the dealer's horror, saying that the materials used to restore the piece actually did more harm than good with an explanation of why.

In the case of Jose's Victrola I have to agree with the good Baron that if Jose wants to have a working piece of equipment and isn't concerned about collectability or investment value then this stuff doesn't really apply. But in any event, whenever making a large purchase I always recommend caution to people. I'd feel really bad if he got the thing home and discovered it was a Victrola case with a Sony turntable inside. That would suck.

Re: Just a few points about refurbished

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

*LOL* Sony turntable...

I just must have misunderstood you. I have been reading things and responding rather quickly sort of out of forced Blaster worm habit. I thought you were saying any refurbishing detracts from the value. And I agree also that it depends, as in Vicar's case, on your intention of the piece in question. I do stuff to antiques some times that I shouldn't just b/c I'm not out to re-sell them.