February 26, 2013 11:29 am
I am a sucker for antique record paraphernalia. Be it cheesy “as seen on bad 70’s TV” record cleaners, random manuals to record players I’ve never owned, or in this case my 1966 Philco High-Fidelity All-Transistor Stereophonic Radio-Phonograph.
Nearly a decade ago back in film school I was prop shopping for a 1960’s period short film I was involved with. Now, thanks to my mother I’ve always been a frugal shopper, so when digging around one of Ventura, CA’s many antique shops I immediately perused the booths near the back of the store that featured items at 50% off. While on this hunt for cheap, yet relevant 60’s era props I came across this pristine phonograph. At first glance of this beautiful cabinet record player, and without even seeing the price tag, I was instantly fixated on becoming its ultimate and inevitable owner. When I saw the price tag of $80 I nearly wet myself. $40 + tax later she was mine. I called my buddy Omar, who had a flat bed and we hauled it off to set. It didn’t have a dominant presence in the final short film, but when the shoot was over I found myself the proud owner of an amazing piece of stereophonic machinery.
The LP on the platter is Johnny Cash’s 1957 debut Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar, which would have been just 9 years old when this High-Fidelity All-Transistor Stereophonic Radio-Phonograph was manufactured and sold.
For nearly 10 years ol’ Philco has moved with me a total of five times. She’s always dominated every living room she’s inhabited and still sounds as good today as she did the day I brought her home. Not bad for being 47 years old.
I enjoy imagining what the manufacturers at the Philco Corporation back in 1966 would think of the music I play on this phonograph now. I doubt they’d be as much into N.E.R.D., The Revolting Cocks or Drive Like Jehu as I am.
Posted by The Prudent Groove
Categories: Misc
Tags: 1966, California, Drive Like Jehu, High Fidelity, N.E.R.D., Philco, phonograph, record collecting, records, Revolting Cocks, Stereophonic, Ventura, vinyl
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I need a band to my record player turn. and sound from the radio comes out the left side only. I almost have this restored.
By Greg Smith on October 26, 2013 at 8:32 am
When I got this guy, the left speaker didn’t work. Fortunately, the speaker wire had just gotten jostled, so mine was an easy fix. I’m currently having trouble with the motor to the phonograph, which is causing an irregular RPM issue, but the sound quality on this majestic machine, as you well know, is 2nd to none. I wish you the best in your restoration process and thanks for reading!
By The Prudent Groove on October 26, 2013 at 10:24 am
[…] spewing speakers is something that cannot be replicated (unless said scowl is shouting from our dining room hi-fi). The issue, above all others, concerning bygone audio formats, is the rapid lack of obtainable […]
By An 8th of Croce | The Prudent Groove on February 15, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I’m in Columbus, OH. My 1966 Philco also has a “tape” switch with inputs on the back of the console. The turntable no longer turns. The finish is awful, as it was used as a plant stand and lived in a humid sunroom for 12 years. Any suggestions on who to market it to for sale? (Film companies, antiques stores, etc.) Is there intrinsic value, or is it just in the eyes of the beholder?
By Sheila on September 1, 2014 at 4:23 pm
I found mine at an antique shop. Unfortunately, they don’t fetch a whole lot of money (I paid $40 for mine), as the market for these cabinet players are rather small. You could try Craigslist or a local antique dealer. I hope this helps!
By The Prudent Groove on September 13, 2014 at 9:54 am
You wouldn’t happen to know the model number would you? I’m trying to find a replacement needle for one of these with little luck.
By Tom on November 30, 2015 at 10:20 pm
I’m seeing “Part No. 78-10561-1” on the back page of the manual. That, and a lot of suggestions to make an appointment with your “Philco Qualified Service Center.”
By The Prudent Groove on November 30, 2015 at 10:28 pm
[…] was a laborious day of (regular work) and tickle-fixing the1966 Philco. She’s fully functional, speed-accurate, and bass-nasty (as she always was). This, for those […]
By Life… | The Prudent Groove on March 19, 2016 at 11:52 pm
[…] The carousel of Space Age Pop continues to spin over here at The Prudent Groove. Next up, 1959’s The Legend of Pele from Arthur Lyman. “More birds?” asks my wife as the first tracks spins. Bird sounds were (apparently) a big thing in the late 1950s. Exotic sounds (and covers) of just about every kind were big just before the boom of the sonic British Invasion. This era, and this uncategorizable genre (Space Age Pop is a modern term) is a whirlwind of toe-tapping, bird chirping grooves that screams for unforgotten attention, that which it is currently, and diligently receiving from our cabinet hi-fi. […]
By Pele, and the Legend thereof | The Prudent Groove on January 12, 2017 at 8:19 am
I have a Philco like this one. I’m trying to sell it. How much should I charge?
By Carolyn on March 16, 2017 at 6:20 am
Is it fully functional? How is the wood exterior? I’ve seen them go from $50 – $250. Check your local Craig’s List for a decent market value price. That or eBay. Spruce it up with a nice coat of lemon oil to help sell it. Cheers.
By The Prudent Groove on March 16, 2017 at 7:13 am
We had this same stereo when I was a kid growing up in Michigan. My dad bought it brand new in 1966, and it graced our living room until we moved to Arizona in 1970. It even survived 2 F2 tornadoes unscathed. I know we had the same one by looking at pictures taken in our home. We gave it to my aunt when we left Michigan, and sadly, I have no idea where it went from there. It was used for many a tween girl’s (me) parties.
By Jan Griffiths on November 30, 2017 at 7:06 pm
What a great story! Happy it was able to survive the elements. I’m currently in the hunt for a new needle, but the sound quality is 2nd to none!
By Anonymous on December 7, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Beautiful piece. I have one very similar. Same brand, same layout. Would you happen to know value on these items? I have pictures and model/serial number.
By Scarlett Stone on March 6, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Hey Scarlett.
Have a look at the below site for current market prices for vintage cabinet record consoles. I don’t see the same model that we share, but this should give you a sense of the current market.
https://www.audioarchaeology.com/vintage-audio
Craigslist offers them for much, much cheaper, so somewhere in the middle is about where I’d say the Philco is worth.
Cheers,
PG
By The Prudent Groove on March 9, 2018 at 9:43 am
I’ve been tasked with the respectful responsibility of finding a new home for a similar console stereo. It’s sound is nothing like any fancy Bose or Altec Lansing — it’s a 1000 times better. These works of art and craftsmanship blend wood and style with brilliant acoustics. It’s for sale. Hit me up it’s in perfect condition and works.
Curt at 760.33l.93ll I’ll text you more pics and video.
By Curtis Conant on September 6, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Hello, I LOVED seeing your post. I was recently given this very same console from my mother. It was always in our house growing up and it still sounds great! Mine has some issues with the auto functions, I think it just needs cleaned and re-lubed, but I just play the vinyls manually and it works fine. Mine had the model tag still on it: q-1726-wa. Did you ever get a replacement needle? I looked it up and it said to replace with Pfanstiel # M855. However, my mom left the package for the needle she replaced at some point and it was # S855. I’m not sure what the difference is. Did you ever find any additional info the the record changer? I believe it is a Voice of Muisc changer but I can’t find the part number.
By Terrie on December 16, 2018 at 12:58 pm
[…] mind-numbing amusement, it’s clear, year after year, which post tickles the most fancies: “The 1966 Philco High-Fidelity All-Transistor Stereophonic Radio-Phonograph” with 3,468 total views as of this posting. I’ve gotten some recent requests (mainly for more […]
By Post No. 2193 (AKA Happy Sixth Birthday, PG!) | The Prudent Groove on January 24, 2019 at 3:11 pm
We have a 1966 philco in great shape it still works and makes records and when we got the player it had an old record with it. We have no room in our home for something so large and was just wondering if anyone knew how to get rid of one to someone who would appreciate it
By Summer on July 3, 2019 at 9:43 pm
I have a Philco High-Fidelity All-Transistor Stereophonic Radio-phonograph that needs some repair. The radio works well, but the the arm of the phonograph (Record Player) needs adjustment and perhaps a new cartridge and shroud assembly. I live in Killeen, Texas and my daughter lives in Austin, TExas. I would like to know if there is a Philco Service Center near either one of those two cities that I could take my above item for repair. I would appreciate your help on this matter very much. thanks and god bless!!!
By Angel L. Rivera on July 9, 2019 at 9:25 am
I have a silco all t r e r f i s t o r stirrifonic high fidelity need a new power cable to plug in the wall. Model N-1725124 120 v ac 60 cps 45 watts
By Jeannie Lynn Dunn on August 26, 2023 at 12:10 am
Philco All trersistor stereophonic high fidelity model number is N-1725124 120 AC 60 cps 45 watts it’s not like the one’s I’ve seen on here. The stereos is the left side up and down the record player is on the right side.and it sits on the floor no legs in some what good shape just needs a new power cord and needle
By Jeannie Lynn Dunn on August 26, 2023 at 12:19 am