this can be yours for 1,300 dollars

[hermitcrab]

what a deal... pay this seller 1300, then he will restore it.... what a deal he is offering on a mediocre VM unit...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 5f2e236f0f

[electra225]

That sounds like a lot of money, but if he restores it like it should be, including the changer and the electronics, he may only recover his costs. If he takes the cabinet apart, down to the last piece, then strips and refinishes the cabinet and replaces the grille cloth, and if his time is worth $5 an hour, where will he be? You can dump $100 in a changer with no problem, plus the amplifier rebuild. I wouldn't pay him $1300 for it even if it was restored, since "restored" means different things to different people. He'd be better off to accept less money for it as is, then let the new owner absorb the restoration costs.

[William]

From 1961 and costing $229.00 new, it was a middle of the road VM with single ended 6BQ5's. The tuner was probably an option, as it was with most VM's in that era.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

Is that a model 805? If so, I have one and a Voice of Music 815 - Both are good, not worth over $1K!!

I could make it operate and sound (not necessarily look) like original for only 500!

[William]

Nope, 809, see post above.

Bill

[electra225]

I agree that $500 is about the right budget for the electronics. That leaves $800 for the cabinet work. Supplies, probably at least $200. That would leave $600 for labor. I don't believe you could get the cabinet refinished for that, not including any other work it might need. Wood shops around here get $100 an hour. No way do those numbers make sense. $1300 for a totally restored stereo might not be that bad of a deal, if it was truly restored, not just "fixed". I don't know whether that model is worth $1300 or not. My point is that his price for what he offers to do is not that far out of line....

[TC Chris]

Those prices only make sense if you're hiring all the work out. For DIYers, it's a lot cheaper. Let's not discourage newbies by making the rescue of a console sound like a big-budget undertaking.

But then I'm Scottish, and the reputation for frugality is merited. And besides, I think an old Ranger is a grand ride. No taste at all.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

I'm not doing a very good job of making my point.....

Lots of good comments and a good topic. Thank you all.

[William]

No, you did make you point, Greg, and here are three examples of what I believe to be total restorations even if they are kind of over the top.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335959632542?_ ... R6rXiKrwZQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335883878003?_ ... R6rXiKrwZQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187228307839?_ ... R6zXiKrwZQ

We have seen the Jimmy "O" items listed before and have always thought "WOW" that is a lot of money but from the looks of things he does a complete restoration even if he does cover everything in Tolex. And, he must get the money as his items are not listed for long. Just my "2" cents worth.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

I bet that guy hires out electronic and record changer repairs, so he's being paid well for the look he created.

I swear you make more by painting accent stripes and basically re-designing the looks of these to current trends, while just restoring the electronics like we all do.

Sorry, not my game. Hear it before you see it, otherwise you could be buying a "look" rather than judging by sound.
I would not be surprised that most use these for the amp and BT.

[TC Chris]

[quote="Motorola minion" post_id=26701 time=1750274286 user_id=57

I swear you make more by painting accent stripes and basically re-designing the looks of these to current trends, while just restoring the electronics like we all do.

[/quote]

I learned a long time ago that Americans are suckers for clean & shiny. Selling a bicycle? Wash the frame, polish any chrome, clean it up. Selling a car? Vacuum, polish, clean, wash. Most consumers are not good at looking to substance. They make decisions based on appearance. That first impression always matters, and it matters even more for the majority who not look past it.

Chris Campbell

[hermitcrab]

OK so you pay this guy 1300 to restore it... in a year or two you get tired of it and wanna sell it .... think you will get 1300 for it?....or even 1000?