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

[Abe Feder]

Greg, As always thanks for the information- I am in the quest for a Victor
Credenza and have missed 1 or 2 units because of the freight to get them to
Az. I will because of the information that you have passed on keep my eyes
open for a Capehart unit- that might fill the bill. I have a degree in
electronics and still have some old test equipment kicking around-tube
tester, volt ohm meter even an old oscilloscope-but don't know if I will
even remember how to use the stuff or if it still works-remember HeathKit it
was their best tube tester-got one heck a shock one day while building it.
but I was just 16 then and used to think that I could do anything. I am
learning how to do this wind up stuff-in fact I just did my first reproducer
rebuild using one of your diaphrams and instructions-sounds pretty good.
This is the 3rd or 4th Capehart that has shown up in the last 3-4 months. So
maybe I will end up with one of those as well.
Abe
Thx Abe

On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 5:37 PM, Greg Bogantz <gbogantz1 at charter.net> wrote:

>   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
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>>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
>>>
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