Phonoland

i have what seems to be a 1948 bendix console with a collaro changer. Any information at all would be great, don't know the model number as it is located elsewhere. Also any ideas as to what it is worth is greatly appreciated.

wow, a lot of views and no posts, thanks guys for all the help!!!!!
i think i'll ask the bum at the entrance to the highway, he might know.

I probably know as much about Bendix radio/phonographs as that bum--my main interest is in the acoustic/crank era phonographs--but after a little googling, I did spot this ad for an identical looking item:

http://pages.adsbydee.com/11382/PictPag ... 91470.html

After zooming in on the ad, it looks like it's the model 1217. (According to the RadioMuseum site, it's the 1217D -- http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/bendix_1217d.html )

As for price, based on what I've seen for similar looking items for sale on craigslist, ebay, etc., the asking price varies between "free at the curb" to "are you kidding???", with the average being about $200. It's hard to tell, from the photo what condition the finish is, but if it's in very good, original condition, and all of the components work, I'd say $200 would not be out of line.

HTH,
JDS

thank you very much for your post, i hope my sarcasm was not too much, i have a blunt sense of humor, lol. thank you very much

severedknight7 wrote:thank you very much for your post, i hope my sarcasm was not too much, i have a blunt sense of humor, lol. thank you very much

No problem. BTW, if it's needed, a free schematic (in PDF format) can be downloaded from this page: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/325/M0002325.htm Just click on the floppy disc icon to download, or the "eye" icon to view.

In determining value, you do have to keep in mind that having a non-original changer could lower the value. You may want to consider finding a changer of the original model and replacing the Collaro unit. I'll check into it, but I think the larger Bendix models like yours used the Webster-Chicago changer. You could probably sell the Collaro changer for more than you'd pay for a Webster-Chicago.

This may have been a factory upgrade.

In the 1948-1952 era, many companies upgraded their units for two or three speeds, rather than require the owner to buy a completely new unit.

One problem you would have is that the Webster-Chicago changer will not fit a base designed for a Collaro.

Actually, Bendix had its own record changer in 1947. Here is a shot of it.

Bendix made these for their own units and for Farnsworth.

just curious if there is a small storage compartment on the back because there is on mine. i'd like to know if it was original or not. thanks!