Help needed to identify and restore Magnavox cabinet

Hi! I have been searching high and low for a nice vintage cabinet with a record player, and found one this weekend! Yay for me! I plan to fix this one up so that it's in perfect working order

It is a Magnavox and the model # is PD6808. I have attempted to do a search for any information on this model online, and was unsuccessful. I also did an extensive search of images for Magnavox and did not find any cabinet that resembles mine. So, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Here are a few pics:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r90/jlhart88/DSC01733.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r90/jlhart88/DSC01734.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r90/jlhart88/DSC01735.jpg

I need to get a replacement needle/stylus for the Micromatic record player (it powers up just fine, and everything seems to be in great working order - just no needle). Looks like the model # is W821-13-00.

The right speaker does not appear to work. It's definitely a wiring issue because when I disconnected the wires and hooked the connections to the external speaker connections on the back of the cabinet, the speaker works...I hope that makes sense Is it okay to connect the wires to the same connections that the left speaker is connected to?

There is an 8 track player on the left side of the cabinet, but I need to find an 8 track to test it to see if it works.

I am truly a beginner, so any help/information would be fantastic! I am a very quick learner and follow direction VERY well!

Thanks so much!
Jenn

The console is from the early 1970s. The style of record changer and the presence of an 8-track player establish this.

Thanks for the info! That's a step in the right direction for me!

ok i am in the same boat as you i need find how what year this console is and how much its worth. i found an extra needle under the coner of the recod player and mine has the sliding lid on top. I am at a total lose at what to sell this console for let me know how much i should charge for it. thanks missy

kitkatmdk wrote:ok i am in the same boat as you i need find how what year this console is and how much its worth. i found an extra needle under the coner of the recod player and mine has the sliding lid on top. I am at a total lose at what to sell this console for let me know how much i should charge for it. thanks missy

Hi Missy:

As noted above, this dates from the early to mid-1970s. While there is a growing interest in old audio equipment from this era, especially among 20-somethings, these are not fetching huge prices at this time. One stopping point, for many people, is the sure size and bulk of the cabinets.

I'd say, if this is in good working condition and the cabinet has no dings or scratches, you could probably sell it to a local buyer for around $50-$150, based on what I've seen on eBay, etc. To get an idea of current selling prices, do an eBay search for Magnavox stereo record-player (or similar key words) and make sure you put a check next to "search item and descriptions." If you find something similar, track the auction to completion.

To get an idea of "asking prices" (not necessarily what they would sell for,) go to www.google.com and copy and paste following in the search box:


site:craigslist.org Magnavox stereo OR record-player OR phonograph

That will call up a list of current ads on the site.

HTH,
Joe_DS

I just picked up a similar cabinet from Goodwill last week and ID'd it as a 1971 Magnavox Astro-Sonic w/ W821 Micromatic Changer (the internet is a wonderful thing). Mine doesn't have the 8-track. That might help with ID if you haven't already...

I'm in the same boat as far as restoration; the cabinet is beautiful... my woe is with the turntable. All wiring is good, but for some reason the turn table doesn't spin.

I think the reason I got it so cheap is no one thought it worked... I pulled the back off and the power cords to the radio and record player was disconnected (easy plug-in fix). So it's got power, but no spin.

Anyone know how to fix, or where I could find parts for (or a whole working) W821?

Thanks!

Remove the turntable platter and check the idler wheel and linkage. The wheel may not be making contact with the motor shaft or the inside rim of the platter. The linkage may need to be cleaned and/or lubed.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have a unit that looks identical to the first post, except mine does not have the sliding doors and is made of some type of dense material, I don't think it's real wood. The beveled edges around the bottom are surprisingly made of plastic, but looks real. Mine has a different receiver with push buttons for all the selections and the 8-track is mounted differently with a 2/4 channel matrix switch. There is also a separate small amp bolted to the floor of the unit. The turntable is the same. This unit dates around 1973-74. It also has two large bullet-shaped styrofoam enclosures for the woofers. The bass is amazing, considering the woofers are smaller that what you'd find in those Astro-Sonics. I keep this one in my master bedroom.

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona