Need some buying advice...

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a console stereo, and yesterday came across a nice-looking unit on Craigslist. Here's the listing:

http://toledo.craigslist.org/fuo/4575431432.html It's the eighth picture.

I went over and looked at the unit. It's a "Hudson" and it powers up and the radio works fine, the sound is good. However, the turntable doesn't spin.

They only want $40 for the unit, and since it's been sitting in the house for probably 60 years my thought is that it just needs a good cleaning and it should be OK.

On the other hand, I really want the unit for the record player and I'm aware that the Hudson is an obscure brand (I couldn't find out anything about it online). So my fear is that I'll buy the unit and then find out that the record player is unrepairable, or repairable only at a cost that's much more than I'm willing to spend.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or know anything about the Hudson brand? Should I buy the unit and then see if I can find a restorer to take a look at it? Or have the restorer take a look at it BEFORE I buy it? I'll post pictures of the innards when I get home from work. Thanks!

That console stereo is probably a 1960 model judging from its looks, and will require a mandatory restoration in order to be reliable and safe to use.
Until then, I would strongly advise not to power it up, even though the radio may play - you're stressing components without knowing it.
Tubes, etc all need checking and/or replacing by now.
The Glaser-Steers GS series record changer will also need a full and proper overhauling.
Locate a reputable restorer that knows the proper ways to get this system up and running, then it won't need it again for decades.
Expect to invest a few hundred - but again, it's only a one-time fee to reverse/cure the effects of aging, and gives you peace of mind.

Thanks, Matt. I was going to have it professionally gone-over anyway, if I can find anyone in my area who can do the work! Have you ever heard of the Hudson brand? I can't even find anything about them on the Internet.

I already know what probably is wrong with it. i have THREE of those changers, and all of them have the same problem. The rubber idler and drive wheels are totally shot.

Since the turntable idler is a step idler with two tires, it is very hard to get.

If the change cycle idler is damaged, the unit might be stuck in a change cycle. If so, the turntable idler is retracted (the turntable brakes to a stop during the cycle so the record drops on a motionless record). Also, do not try to force the arm to move if the changer is stuck in cycle.