Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

caveman · 13th Feb 2019, 10:21 pm

Hi folks,
New to the forum.
I have found a pretty much mint condition Toshiba SM3500 Music centre inc turntable, cassette player/recorder, tuner, along with the original table that it came with when sold whilst clearing out my grandmother's house (she has sadly had to move into a home).

There is some cosmetic damage to the perspex lid, the rest of it is (as far as I'm aware) in perfect order.

Does anyone know if it is worth anything, or if there is somewhere I can get it checked out?

Thanks in advance.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 13th Feb 2019, 11:27 pm

The usual advice is to check on eBay and other similar sites to see what the Toshiba or other similar music centers actually sold for.

ben · 13th Feb 2019, 11:34 pm

Agree with the above, check what they are selling for.

In this case, we're talking about a nice late 70s unit with a decent turntable and magnetic cartridge, capable of sound quality of an entry level separates hi fi. That said, the rubber parts in the cassette deck and turntable will almost certainly need changing by now and possibly some switch cleaner and lubrication may be needed to get it into reliable working order. No problem for an enthusiast but it would be to Joe public. So I would say that, in present unrestored condition with damaged lid it might be a bit harder to shift.

slidertogrid · 13th Feb 2019, 11:54 pm

One has been listed a few times on ebay for £45 with no takers.. I lot will depend on if you offer postage or not though as putting collection only on a listing does restrict the amount of potential buyers.
Assuming you have the original speakers I would check the foam suspension around the edge of the cones hasn't degraded.

I have a mint Sm-3750 which was a gift from my cousin. everything works well apart from the cassette deck which needs a new belt and the aforementioned problem with the speakers. It is currently used on a set of Hitachi speakers.

1970's /80's Toshiba audio was very well made I hope you find a good home for it!

Rich.

michamoo · 14th Feb 2019, 12:39 am

What a fantastic looking machine!

Nuvistor · 14th Feb 2019, 8:38 am

We sold these when they were new in the 70’s, one of the better music centres.

If it sells and you have to post it to the buyer, check the user manual for securing the record player deck, arm and platter. I cannot remember how it was done but if you don’t it will likely get damaged in transit.

Edward Huggins · 14th Feb 2019, 12:06 pm

In terms of getting this "checked out", is this not something that you do yourself and then you can ascertain its functioning condition and so can advertise it accordingly - or are you considering keeping/restoring it for your own use?

GlowBlue · 18th Feb 2019, 1:22 am

Hi! I'm new on these forums.

If I want information on old gear I use this site:-

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Toshiba+SM3500

Leon.

13th Feb 2019, 10:21 pm	#1
caveman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1	Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. Hi folks, New to the forum. I have found a pretty much mint condition Toshiba SM3500 Music centre inc turntable, cassette player/recorder, tuner, along with the original table that it came with when sold whilst clearing out my grandmother's house (she has sadly had to move into a home). There is some cosmetic damage to the perspex lid, the rest of it is (as far as I'm aware) in perfect order. Does anyone know if it is worth anything, or if there is somewhere I can get it checked out? Thanks in advance.

13th Feb 2019, 11:27 pm	#2
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. The usual advice is to check on eBay and other similar sites to see what the Toshiba or other similar music centers actually sold for.

13th Feb 2019, 11:34 pm	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. Agree with the above, check what they are selling for. In this case, we're talking about a nice late 70s unit with a decent turntable and magnetic cartridge, capable of sound quality of an entry level separates hi fi. That said, the rubber parts in the cassette deck and turntable will almost certainly need changing by now and possibly some switch cleaner and lubrication may be needed to get it into reliable working order. No problem for an enthusiast but it would be to Joe public. So I would say that, in present unrestored condition with damaged lid it might be a bit harder to shift. __________________ Regards, Ben.

13th Feb 2019, 11:54 pm	#4
slidertogrid Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,898	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. One has been listed a few times on ebay for £45 with no takers.. I lot will depend on if you offer postage or not though as putting collection only on a listing does restrict the amount of potential buyers. Assuming you have the original speakers I would check the foam suspension around the edge of the cones hasn't degraded. I have a mint Sm-3750 which was a gift from my cousin. everything works well apart from the cassette deck which needs a new belt and the aforementioned problem with the speakers. It is currently used on a set of Hitachi speakers. 1970's /80's Toshiba audio was very well made I hope you find a good home for it! Rich.

14th Feb 2019, 12:39 am	#5
michamoo Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 469	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. What a fantastic looking machine! Attached Thumbnails __________________ If smoking is so bad for you, how come it cures kippers?

14th Feb 2019, 8:38 am	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. We sold these when they were new in the 70’s, one of the better music centres. If it sells and you have to post it to the buyer, check the user manual for securing the record player deck, arm and platter. I cannot remember how it was done but if you don’t it will likely get damaged in transit. __________________ Frank

14th Feb 2019, 12:06 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. In terms of getting this "checked out", is this not something that you do yourself and then you can ascertain its functioning condition and so can advertise it accordingly - or are you considering keeping/restoring it for your own use? __________________ Edward.

18th Feb 2019, 1:22 am	#8
GlowBlue Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Veldhoven, The Netherlands Posts: 56	Re: Toshiba SM3500 Music Centre. Value. Hi! I'm new on these forums. If I want information on old gear I use this site:- https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Toshiba+SM3500 Leon.