SOME PEOPLE ARE TRULY LOST

I have seen a lot of overpriced stereo's on Craigs List but this one has got them all beat.http://nashville.craigslist.org/atq/2404719010.html
I'm sure of LP with Grace land on the cover is worth 1k, but really $500 for the old Astro-Sonic I can't see that

Well, I would shell out some big bucks in Michael Southerland's collection, but that beat-up stereo advertised is a bit much. You professionals and experts out there...are these things increasing in value? I, personally, don't think so. It's nice having pieces of history around the house, but I could never expect to retire off of them.

I'll reiterate the fact that folks need to do their homework before posting an old relic at an outrageous price. These units were made by the thousands, and unless there's something truly unique about them, they're not worth much.

I'm truly thankful that I picked up a few dozen consoles over the years and gave alot away. Had to keep the Maggies, though since they're my favorite. I don't own any pets, but these are sorta like mine, sitting in a corner or along a wall, just waiting to be activated. They provide a great comfort while I'm cooking or doing other house chores. I also keep a huge Astro-Sonic out in the garage while working on my truck and other things. Every now and then, I'll open the garage door and let it blast into the neighborhood. The kids come out of the woodwork, "dancing in the street." It's nice spreading some joy and blessing other folks in the neighborhood.

I was paying between $10 to $20 bucks for consoles, then the thrift store started raising their prices when I became a "regular", but the manager would occasionally give me discounts. I even went to the Salvation Army where they had one terribly beat-up Astro-Sonic for $150. The speaker grills were pushed in, the cabinet was scratched to hell, and the turntable wasn't seated properly with a missing cartridge and wires hanging out. I think even the back panel was missing...what a mess. And to think stores can pass that off as an "antique."

I like some of the stores that don't know that they have. Some of them just pass on record players as trash and want to move them quickly because they take up so much space. Works for me.

Getting a 1966 Santiago Astro-Sonic 100 for $25 (original price $595 back in the day) was sweet, and getting a $650 Francisco Astro-Sonic 100 for free was the icing on the cake. Getting a pair of drum tables for less than $50 was also nice, everything intact, the cabinets are a little beat up, but all the innards function. I think the drum tables have two 8" woofers and four tweeters mounted at the four corners, so the sound is omni-directional. They also have a switch where you can attach a matching cabinet with record storage to split the stereo signal.

With all the wood products out there, it just takes alittle elbow grease to bring these cabinets back to their original grandeur. I intend to put one of the drum tables out on the back patio. My back patio is covered, but I'm worried about exposure to the humidity and other weather elements out there.

I don't know how much of a collector's item these are, but just glad that I got mine when I did. A little bit of TLC here and there, and these things perform beautifully. It's been a few years since I've been out there shopping since I bought the house.

It's been nice having a week off. No more dreaming about work, just chilling. Playing some of these old record players throughout the house has been nice. Thinking that these were just some "stuffy" units designed only for Classical Strauss waltzes and piano concertos, I pulled out some Ramsey Lewis Jazz, Jimmy Smith/McGriff, Jack McDuff organ, Tower of Power and other Horn Groups, Blood, Sweat & Tears, James Brown, Aretha, Carol King, Disco, Johnny Cash, Chicago Mass Choir...just ran the whole gammet of music, and I was just amazed of how these Maggies handled everything. Maybe the cabinets are worth more than what's inside them. They are truly beautiful.

Here I am, verbose again at 2:45am. Thank God, I lack for nothing (other than a new vehicle...and maybe a soulmate...LOL). That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hey Bobby, you want lost? Feast your eyes, Vero Beach Florida. http://treasure.craigslist.org/fuo/2338161340.html

When I bought my latest Astro-Sonic, (1970 without the air suspension) the lady at the counter told me several people were interested in it between after buying it and when I went back to pick it up. She said the interest comes and goes for them. Some man snatched up a Hancock Astro from about '67 recently, from another one of my thrift stores. I wonder also if general interest is picking up. I still need the companion storage/speakers for my drum table, and the end table. No space, but I'll get by.

What??? $ 2600 and no LP with a picture of Grace Land on the front.

The Hancock, Astro-Sonic 40, $398.50. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

This particular "Hancock" also had a decorative rail along the top rear of the set, and a Magnavox issue headphone jack accessory screwed onto the far end of the cabinet on the changer side. Also had the large platter changer with Magna-Sonic 90 printed on the trim. Handsome little set, I hope the man who bought it gave it a good home. His address was on the sold tag, I googled it but could not find it's location. I think it went to a good neighborhood though.