[Phono-L] O/T: Capehart 414N-1

[Greg Bogantz]

    Abe, the Capehart radio/phonos made from the mid 1930s to about 1950 
were among the very finest, most exclusive models available in the USA. 
With very few exceptions such as the D-22 and the QU-8 which actually used a 
Capehart 16E changer and the postwar Berkshire series, ALL of which are very 
rare, RCA had nothing to compare.  Aside from a very few other specialty 
makers such as E.H. Scott and McMurdo Silver, there were were no 
radio/phonos available in the USA that compared with the Capeharts.  That's 
why these Capeharts are held in such high regard by collectors today.

    There were two common series made during these years, the 100 and the 
400 series (model number were in these ranges).  The 100 series was the 
cheaper one with smaller amplifiers and less elaborate cabinetry.  The 400 
series looked similar to the 100 series, but they usually (not always) had 
more and/or larger amplifiers and more expensive speakers and more elaborate 
cabinets.  There was also a much rarer 300 series which were "tall-boy" 
cabinets with the components stacked vertically, and the EXTREMELY RARE 500 
series which were the SUPER deluxe models available usually by special, 
customized order only.  All these series used the exclusive Capehart 
flipover record changers.  The early (prewar) record changers were the 16E 
models (several variations), and the postwar changers were the 41E models 
which are easily identifiable by their chromed, tubular tonearms.  All these 
changers played only 78rpm until the 41E-2 model which came out about late 
1948.  This model had interchangeable TONEARMS (not just headshells) that 
provided for either 78rpm or for microgroove 33rpm playback.  The 41E-2 was 
made for only a short time (probably less than 2 years) before Capehart 
discontinued the flipover changers completely and went to cheaper drop-type 
changers, most of which were furnished by VM (Voice of Music).  These later 
Capeharts (starting around 1950) used a different numbering system and were 
cheapened considerably from the early 100 and 400 series.  These later 
Capeharts are not very collectible and do not bring high prices from 
collectors.  The B-1002-F model that you have mentioned in Arizona is an 
example of one of these later, post 1950 models.  It would probably bring 
around $200 in nice condition.

Greg Bogantz



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Abe Feder" <abefeder1 at gmail.com>
To: "Antique Phonograph List" <phono-l at oldcrank.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 7:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Phono-L] O/T: Capehart 414N-1


> Greg, I have noted that you and several members like the Capehart units . 
> I
> have seen a few of them here in Arizona from time to time.-I know nothing
> about them. There is one for sale now on Craigslist a model # B-1002-F.
> Owner says that it has been in his family for 60 years. He has original
> instruction manual as well as bill of sale and is asking $750.00. Any
> comments about it or price?
> Thx Abe Feder
>
> On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 2:46 PM, Greg Bogantz <gbogantz1 at charter.net> 
> wrote:
>
>> I realize that electronic phonos are a bit off-topic for this forum, but
>> for those of you who can really appreciate a fine Capehart, here's a rare
>> find: A 414N-1 with the VERY hard to find 41E-2 flipover changer:
>>
>> eBay Item #150426006960
>>
>> This is the last version of the 41E changer that has the interchangeable
>> tonearms and plays both 78 and 33rpm microgroove records, circa 1949. I'm
>> posting this here to try to rescue this unit from the grimy clutches of 
>> the
>> Western Weenies who are going to buy this console ONLY to rip out the
>> Western Electric speaker from it so that they can mount it under glass 
>> and
>> drool over it. Note that there is already a bidder question posted about
>> wanting to see the speaker. Then they'll sell off the N-1 power amp with 
>> the
>> 2A3 output triodes to some golden ear tube yahoos. Then they'll simply 
>> junk
>> the rest of the console or turn it into a liquor cabinet. That would be a
>> particular shame since this is appears to be a really nice and complete
>> original example of a fine, RARE Capehart. Trust me: the 41E-2 machines 
>> are
>> RARE! Let's see one of our Phono-L members give this complete unit the 
>> home
>> it deserves. This model is particularly easy to enjoy while you're not
>> playing records as it has t
>>  he modern FM radio band which means you can actually listen to good 
>> radio
>> programs on it. In glorious monophonic sound, of course. I don't have a
>> problem with collectors mounting things under glass to admire, but to
>> destroy a perfectly good, working piece of fine equipment just to 
>> preserve
>> one part of it really grinds my gears. I'd bid on it, but I don't have 
>> room
>> for it.
>>
>> Greg Bogantz
>> _______________________________________________
>> Phono-L mailing list
>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Phono-L mailing list
> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org