Phonoland

Hello everyone, my parents have a Magnavox Stereo Model # P.D. 6804MA41. I'm not sure
what year that would be from, it has an 8 track, stereo and record player. Big brown floor
style with top sliding doors. If anyone could give me some info as to what it may be worth
and if someone would be interested in purchasing it. It is in Miami, Fl

Thanks a lot!!

D

Dee, can you post some pics? Being that it has an 8-track, it's probably some early 70's model. As far as what it's worth, check out the "For Sale" forum and see what folks are asking/not necessarily getting what they're offering.

Unless this unit is something special and/or rare, don't expect alot of money to retire from it. I've never paid more than $50 bucks for a unit, but again, it depends on location...you may fetch more. Yes, Magnavox consoles are desireable, but they can be found just as cheap as GE, Motorola, RCA, Zenith consoles, etc. Just my two cents. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Thank you so much for your response Bobby, I will definitely take your advice and check out the "For Sale" forum. I have attached some pics, maybe you'll get a chance to take a look at them. Thanks again!!

Ddee

Miss D,

All I can find is a Magnavox Service Manual for W714, W715, W716 record changers, copyright 1973. That cabinet is beautiful, and I'm sure it's nothing to sneeze at for what was being offered back in the day. I've got a 70's unit with 8-track that I keep in my master bedroom, and love it.

From your pics, it looks like you have some type of 4-channel decoder mounted at the rear above the record changer. --BB

If I'd have the room, I would keep it, offering hours of entertainment, but I realize some people have no interest or room for the technology from the past and just want to get rid of their parent/grandparent's acquisitions over the years...their loss. --BB

Thank you so much for your response, the pics and info. My parents haven't used
it for over 30 years. My mom does not want to let it go but my dad
insists. We'll see what happens. I wish I had room myself.

Thanks again for all your help Bobby..

Ddee

Indeed it is very nice but they"re hard to sell at what would seem a reasonable price. At auction they usually fetch around a dollar... yes, I said a dollar. Pity really. If you were near Lancaster Pa. I would happily take it off your hands. Bobby has the best advise I think. Good luck.

Thank you very much Thom, I will share with my parents all the info that you and Bobby have
shared with me..

Ddee

The 4-channel decoder was a variant on the Dynaquad adapter.

I still have two Dynaquad-type systems in use. They work with Dolby Surround recordings.

Well, Ddee,

I don't know what Dad's issues are, but should I send the some Lawrence Welk, Sing-along-with-Mitch, and and Strauss Rosenkalvalier Waltzes? Maybe some Pearl Bailey, Andrew Sisters,Cab Calloway, Glenn Miller?

There must have been some sort of passion there for them to purchase such a unit, especially a Magnavox, in the first place. They were not cheap back in the day, and my parents couldn't afford one back in the 60's/70's. I believe those consoles delivered very well for the technology that was available back in the day, and I'm adamant about keeping at least one console in every room, about nine in the house, and a few out in the garage (honey-do list).

Not to be prying into family matters, but Dad is insistant on getting rid of this thing. I can understand if they may be down-scaling, retiring etc., selling the house to get something smaller and just don't simply have the room anymore.

Do what you can and hope that you find a good home for it. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

I totally hear you Bobby, spoke to my mom, and she agrees with us!! She ain't having it!!!

LOL!! We are keeping the beautiful Magnavox!! YAY!!!

Dads still a little grouchy, so what!!!

Btw, we did have to listen to Lawrence Welk as kids and I actually learned
to love him, as well as Liberace and such!!

Would love to crank up some good ol' rock-n-roll on that Magnavox, but oh no
my grouchy pops wouldn't have it!! Oh well....


Thanks again

Dee,
I don't know how old you are--and speaking totally for myself, I enjoy "playing the role" of a grouchy/grumpy old man !
I was well schooled in this by my elders ! I most enjoy having one of my female members attempt ( successfully -99% of the time) twist me around her little finger--Willing to bet that your Dad is the same-- Ron Rich

Well, Bless bones and Bless goodness, Dee...LOL. I'm glad Mom "ain't havin' it!". Ya know, if Mom ain't happy, things can tend to snowball...she could start cooking some "religious dinners" i.e., burnt offerings and sacrifices, the love department can go into foreclosure...you get my drift.

Maybe play some of his favorite stuff while he's there, then crank on the rock-n-roll when he's out and about. Maybe the two of them could get up and dance abit. If there is such a thing, find a safe record cleaner and get those records a'spinnin' again.

I can remember back in the day, it must have been late 50's, early 60's, I was about 7 years old, we would have a big dinner Sunday afternoons, followed by apple/peach coblers, and a big gallon of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, and later, aunts/uncles would show up with all our first cousins, and we would put the record player (a portable suitcase stereo with extension speaker) out in the yard and just dance. One or two of my uncles would bring their guitars and amps and play out in the garage playing jazz and blues.

The music was everywhere, and we were just a black family living on 60 acres of farmland back in western Pennsylvania, living off the land while my dad drove coal truck during the day. Times were so much easier (in a way) back then. Doors sometimes left unlocked, keys left in the ignitions of all vehicles, BUT...there was a firearm up in the camp.

My mom liked BB King and Jazz, my dad liked Charlie Pride and Johnny Cash...what a weird combination. Out of that culmination, I like CLASSICAL. It must have come from all those old black-n-white movies, or all the Looney Tunes cartoons that used Classical music.

Oops, didn't mean to go off into nastalgic land, but my point is to enjoy that old Magnavox and it may rekindle some good old memories when times weren't as complicated as they are now. I'm not saying live in the past, but enjoy/appreciate it for what it was and keep on stepping.

I don't know what kind of record collection they have, but maybe hit the thrift stores and see what's out there. I've bought literally hundreds of albums, many never opened, and maybe pop in to see your parents some Sunday afternoon with a bunch of records and have at it.

Okay, another long and boring essay/sermon from BB. Again, Dee, Yay for keeping the Magnavox!

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

I too am happy for you and your Mom. My Pop, God Bless him, is also a little quick to dispose of things. My Mom on the other hand throws nothing away... nothing, so I believe they balance eachother out. LoL I aquired her 1968 Zenith console and it shall remain with me until I find residence on the other side of the grass. It matters not what these consoles are worth dollar-wise to the outside world as long as they give me and mine pleasure in our little world. Consider having a qualified tech go over it to make sure it is in top notch condition.

Thank you all so very much for your input, advice and wonderful stories. I really
appreciate it. My mom is definitely keeping the Magnavox, and I'm so glad because
I grew up listening to it and it brings back such great memories.

Bobby, I really did enjoy reading your words, and yes that Magnavox definitely brings
back a lot of great memories of when I was just a kid...


Thanks again everyone, and Happy Weekend 2 U!!!!