WANTED: 1946 Magnavox Belvedere

rjh0566 wrote:Message for record changer: I bought a magnavox console AM/phono with 12 field coil. called a "traditional" dates '48-50 entry level model( I supose), It came with a ---Collaro, color is silver hammertone model 3rc5xx series that and the manual size selector---. Would this be original? The collaro looks vintage to the unit,and I know you posted that magnavox did not use the collaro until '54. Someone over at magnavox friends said definitly not! I need your opinion. Are these good turntables, seems to play 33s good but needs general servicing. rjh0566

Collaro continued to make the 53 "Sentinel" series into the mid 1950s, as well as the new 54 "Continental" series. I have seen a 53 in a Magnavox. The 53 "Sentinal" series was discarded when Collaro changed to 4 speeds, to be replaced by the 350 "Conquest" series.

There were two different Collaro 53 "Sentinal" record changers:

- 3RC531 (later the 53-1) had a 3-position size switch next to the reject control.

- 3RC532 (later the 53-2) had a 12" record drop feeler and a 2-position size switch (7", and 10"-12"). It could take intermixed 10" and 12" records, or 7" records played separately.

Other Collaro series:

Continental - 3-size drop feeler.
Constellation - 3-size drop feeler with plug in head and 12" turntable.
Conquest - Polysize arm tip feeler.
Coronation - Polysize arm tip feeler with plug in head.
Studio - Polysize arm tip feeler with plug in head, same overarm as Magnavox 800.
Professional - 1975 series with 3-size arm tip feeler, cue control.

One thing we have to remember is that the time the company produces a changer ends earlier than the time that changer is used in products. Manufacturers usually buy up an inventory of a product to be used by production for some time.

I was wrong about Magnavox not using V-M until the mid 1970s. For a brief period, Magnavox used V-M changers in portables. There was a longshoreman's strike in the early 1960s that kept Collaro record changers from entering the US for a couple of months. Magnavox bought some V-M changers to keep from having to shut down production. They used the Collaro changers they had left in consoles.

I have a Magnavox Belvedere that was given to us from a friend. I don't have any idea what year it is. How can I check. I have the model and seriial number on the back. I can be reached at 510-207-8603

ManorAvenue wrote:I enjoyed seeing that history of the changers/turntables, but I didn't see the one that I recall being in our family's Magnavox. On the topic of that twin-arm Cobra (the green and burgundy), I think being the model that recorded and played discs, there was one of those on Ebay not long ago, but the seller had a very poor feedback rating so I was hesitant to purchase.

If you can send me your direct e-mail, I will e-mail a copy of magazine ads for the Magnavox Belvedere and a photo or two of my family's Belvedere model. My direct e-mail is ghewett@daklaw.com. Thank you.

cozykare wrote:I have a Magnavox Belvedere that was given to us from a friend. I don't have any idea what year it is. How can I check. I have the model and seriial number on the back. I can be reached at 510-207-8603

ManorAvenue wrote:I enjoyed seeing that history of the changers/turntables, but I didn't see the one that I recall being in our family's Magnavox. On the topic of that twin-arm Cobra (the green and burgundy), I think being the model that recorded and played discs, there was one of those on Ebay not long ago, but the seller had a very poor feedback rating so I was hesitant to purchase.

Are you still looking for this Iteim. I have one with the manual It is a 1946 Belvedere Model 242 Series..

To: MYKJFA -- Thank you for your post. I would like to ask where in the U.S. you are located and if you can send me a couple of photos of the inside compartment and outside of the Belvedere. Please send to ghewett@daklaw.com. Thank you -- George (Fresno, CA)

I have the Magnavox Belvedere and it has only the 78 rpm phonograph with the shortwave radio in excellent working condition, also the mahogany cabinet is in very good condition as well. Sale price $500.00 / 313-345-7369 / DeWayne.

Hi from Fresno, CA; many thanks for your message; I've since come to learn that I was mistaken on the year of manufacture of my family's Belvedere. Apparently it was 1948 because it definitely had 33 and 78 rpm speeds. I've also come to realize that the handles on the front of the cabinet were round in 1946, but on my family's Magnavox, the handles were half-ovals. At any rate, by the area code it appears you are located in the Midwest. I just wonder what it might cost to ship the Magnavox to California.

I have a Magnavox Belvedere in brown Maogany.
The phonograph is in a drawer in the upper left side.
The radio is on the right side behind the door.
Both the radio and phonograph are behind doors fronts with the bale handles typical of the early Belvedere sets.

The 6 tube amplifier is a AMP101B
The Am shortwave radio is a model CR-188
And the Magnavox original upgrade fm tuner is a CR-192.
The set has two 12 inch speakers.

The entire set is physically and electrically restored. It looks like new. Lots of tubes, and two eye tubes! Am and FM work nicely. FM requires an antenna but with one it sounds very nice. It is a powerful set with its four 6v6 output tubes.

I found it several years ago in a salvage store and had to have it because it looked like the one my grandmother had years ago. Yet, although it is nice to have I may want to sell it if the offer is one that I cannot refuse. These sets are rare as I have never seen another one since I was a child. It is not stereo as before 1950 stereo was not yet.

I love the set, but really do not need it such that it needs to be stored in the attic. Yet, I remember one like it that belonged to my grandmother.

It has the original record player in it, but I never paid attention to it because I never wanted to play records on such an old heavy thing. It is brown and has some kind of changer mechanism. And I am not sure it has different speeds. I don't know if the changer works, but it seems original.

I do not know what it is worth, but I saw one that you saw asking price was $500.

It a perfect one worth up to $1000?

It is in Concord California. Close to Fresno such that in 3-4 hours it could be in your home.

Do you want to see pictures?

Respectfully,

Russell

Hi from Fresno -- As far as the value of a perfect-condition set, I really can't say for certain; my guess is that $1,000 might be a little high, but at present, as I'm sure you know, nothing is selling. Your Magnavox Belvedere sounds wonderful, but it is not the same as the one my grandparents used to have; the phonograph in their Magnavox was not in a drawer; it was in the cabinet and was accessed by lifting the lid on left half of the cabinet. The radio was behind a door on the right. And after doing some more research, I find that I was wrong about the year; I now believe my grandparents' Magnavox was a 1948 model, because (1) it had the 33 and 78 speeds, and (2) of the shape of the handles on front panels (one of those panels being the door to access the radio). Their Magnavox came from the long-defunct San Francisco retail alma mater "The White House." Anyway, thanks very much for your posting and I am hopeful a buyer will come along for you soon.