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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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21st Jan 2019, 8:09 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 13
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Transcriptor Skeleton
Hi, i posted here a while ago regarding my late father's hifi setup. You were incredibly helpful (and sympathetic) to me so I am back for further advice if that's allowed?
Dad had a Transcriptor Skeleton which he bought directly from the factory in Ireland in 1977. I even have a signed letter from David Gammon to dad apologising for the delay in sending the turntable because they were so popular. It has been in the loft for a while now as I was very emotionally attached to it. I think it is time for it to go to someone who will love it as much as he did. My question is should I sell it to a business or should I try and sell it privately? One of my concerns is transporting it anywhere. The stories of couriers throwing parcels over walls etc fills me with dread. Apologies if this is not appropriate to post here and please delete if so. |
21st Jan 2019, 9:09 pm | #2 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Put it on eBay with collection only, best price and the person getting it will see it.
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21st Jan 2019, 9:34 pm | #3 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
To some people, it's a horror, to others it's a thing of beauty. The former won't be interested, but there ought to be plenty of the latter prepared to travel to Edinburgh to get one.
Transcriptor's own arm, called the 'Vestigal' (odd spelling!) was not liked. Most people strongly preferred the SME arm. Step 1 is to find out exactly what you have. Can you post some photos? David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
21st Jan 2019, 10:57 pm | #4 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Hi, I have attached a few photos, let me know if you need any more. I did check and it does have an SME arm.
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21st Jan 2019, 11:05 pm | #5 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Sorry, I am wrong it does have the vestigal arm fitted. I'm confused as dad has a letter confirming the dispatch of an SME arm!
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21st Jan 2019, 11:20 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
When advertising, remember to mention the fitted Shure V15/iii cartridge - these are worth a pretty penny on their own.
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21st Jan 2019, 11:52 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 816
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
As above - do not sell it to a dealer! Put it on eBay with plenty of good photos and make it collection-only. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding it new home.
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21st Jan 2019, 11:54 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Oxford, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
That is a real thing of beauty. I lusted over these so badly it almost hurt, back in the early/mid 70's.
Alas I have far too much audio gear, and hope it finds its way to someone who will do it justice and use it. |
22nd Jan 2019, 12:27 am | #9 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
It looks pristine.
I agree. Ebay, not a dealer. Inspection and collection only. Far too fragile to ship. It's likely your father kept the original packing materials and box. If he has, mention them in the auction and include a photo! Sounds odd, but they will lift the price a bit further, ditto any printed material, receipt etc. That arm is very peculiar and rather uncommon. Very few cartridges are high enough compliance to be useable in it, and high compliance cartridges are no longer made. Styli for them are made. David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
22nd Jan 2019, 10:08 pm | #10 |
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Can anyone advise me of what a realistic price would be? What should i be asking for?
I certainly dont want to give it away but I have seen a couple on EBay tonight that seem to be asking silly money. |
23rd Jan 2019, 12:33 am | #11 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
I think they do indeed fetch silly money.
The stratospheric prices happen when two or more people fancy one item and a bidding war ensues. You could stick it up for auction with a reserve set no less than would disappoint you and let nature take its course. That way you don't risk being disappointed and you might get nicely surprised by how silly things can get. Collection only tends to stifle prices as it rules out some rather well-heeled enthusiasts in the far East, but packaging and transport would be risky anyway. David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
23rd Jan 2019, 12:33 am | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
If you want a clearer picture of the market value, search "sold listings", which should tell you sums for which items have actually changed hands. Also, it's easy enough to list as "Buy It Now or Best Offer", or in auction format with the offers box ticked.
Of course if somebody pays silly money for it, they're more likely to treasure it... |
23rd Jan 2019, 1:59 pm | #13 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 816
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
As above, start the auction at 99p and put a reserve on it to make sure that it doesn't sell for a silly low price (which I'm sure it won't!), then sit back and watch the bids roll in.
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23rd Jan 2019, 4:49 pm | #14 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
I would argue against eBay in some ways. The buyer is now heavily protected to the point that you might sell a working Skeleton only to find the buyer lodges a complaint. The upshot might be that you lose the money AND the skeleton. I would look for a hifi forum or magazine and advertise there, if it were mine. My experience with eBay is amateur radio kit though, not hifi. Might attract a different class of buyer.
David
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David, G4YVM. |
23rd Jan 2019, 5:52 pm | #15 |
Dekatron
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
I would certainly put a reserve on something as exotic as this. The problem with any online auction is that you will find that many Sellers do not quite know what they are selling - and - many Buyers do not quite understand what they are buying. This often can lead to disputes where both parties are deficient.
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Edward. |
17th Feb 2019, 11:03 pm | #16 |
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Hi
After much deliberation I have put the Transcriptor on EBay as collection only. I have had an enquiry from someone who wants to come and see it. He has asked if it is turning. AS we now have no other equipment can anyone advise me if I can put a plug on it and put it straight into a 13amp socket? I don't want to damage it in any way. Thanks in advance. |
17th Feb 2019, 11:31 pm | #17 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Post a photo of the cables from it and whatever connectors are on their ends.
David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
17th Feb 2019, 11:51 pm | #18 | |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Quote:
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18th Feb 2019, 9:53 am | #19 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 13
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
Photo attached.
Unfortunately EBay insists it is PayPal. Wouldn't let me post as cash only. |
18th Feb 2019, 10:24 am | #20 |
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Re: Transcriptor Skeleton
The white cable is the mains, there's no earth connection as usual.... the turntable gets its earth from the signal cable, from the amplifier. This is just a signal earth and isn't needed for safety.
Fitting a 13A plug to the white cable should make it run. The plug should be fitted with a 2 amp fuse to do things correctly. Its two cores look to have the usual colours. Brown for L, blue for N As your father used it, it should have a 240v motor (110v ones would have been made for export) David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |