Maganvox Concerto, 1930s

[TC Chris]

Reposting this for future finding purposes.

I need a new platter for my 1936 Magnavox Concerto (innards-only find). Some have called this the first high fidelity home phonograph. Mine does not have the original motor/turntable, which was a governor controlled device. Mine looks like Gen. Industries device, 2-pole motor and idler drive with a center spindle that the platter fits over.

Here's one in a video. Mine came with that platter but it does not fit the installed motor/spindle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTfVcTQKwNE

My motor board looks like this one, with the nameplate, but different tonearm (and no radio inside).
https://imgur.com/GWL3UvH

Here's an in-depth article:
http://www.antiqueradio.com/Sep07_Eckland_Magnavox.html

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Have you considered a more modern retrofit? Maybe find a cheap multi-speed kiddie player with good tone arm and turntable components. That is an impressive record player. I can understand your desire to get it going again. Maybe look at parts for a contemporary unit from other manufacturers. The platters might be universal enough to work. Good luck.

[TC Chris]

I had in mind building a plywood box in the same dimensions as the original to house the components I've got. The article spoke of a crystal cartridge and most of those had gobs of output, so a more modern cart might require some additional amplification. Or I could just run a tuner into it.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

I wouldn't give up on finding what you need. I had the chassis for the Stromberg-Carlson 1121 for twenty years before Bill found a cabinet for it, quite by accident, here in the Valley, in an antique store. So you never know.....