Vintage ELECTROHOME Transistor Portable Record Player

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Up for auction is this very cool, all-transistor, Electrohome model "Princeton E-3", stereophonic hi/fi portable record player phonograph turntable. We're estimating age at c.1960. Fresh from a northern Illinois estate, it's all original and in excellent cosmetic condition. It's HUGE...and weighs a whopping 34 pounds. We've tried to illustrate scale with a 1-U.S.-Gallon paint can...but it still doesn't illustrate the fact that this unit is almost like a small console. Measures 33 1/2" wide X 15 1/4" tall (not including handle) X 9 1/2" deep. What a terrific unit to use as your home unit. The other reason we believe this to be an early piece is that only the left speaker is detachable...with an approximately 22-foot long speaker cable, that would allow the original owner of the day to really experience that stereo "effect". Cabinet is in excellent condition...no loose or missing leattte, no dents, cracks, etc on the wood framing. Metal band (chrome?) along the bottom edge has no pitting, rust, or dents (same with handle ends). Controls faceplate has no dents or heavy scratches...just needs a cleaning, as do the knobs. No rips or holes in speaker cloth. Cord, plug, cable are all very nice originals. Original power cord winders still intact on rear of speaker, as shown. This unit has probably never been cleaned, so it does have some dust in a few nooks and crannies. Powered by a neat little amplifier, as shown. Garrard turntable, manual or automatic operation, with original Garrard platter pad and 45-adaptor. No small, manual spindle was found. Nice tonearm with removeable headshell...running with a Sonotone 9TA gold cartridge and what appears to be the original diamond-tipped dual stylus. Both styli appear to have decent life left (c'mon, treat yourself to a fresh one!), and cartridge is operating fine. When we powered it up the platter seems to be running just a little bit slow, we only tested on 33 with an LP...however, the speeds do visually adjust when selected. The other main issue is that the right speaker is giving constant snow/static (like being inbetween stations on the radio dial)...at a volume that is constant and does not respond to the volume knob (like with AC hum on a tube unit). We can hear very-muted audio behind the static...but it sounds like t's a transistor or other component that needs to be replaced. Speakers are not blown. Left speaker sounds fine, no static, bold fidelity, and reproduces all amp-knob adjustments as it should. Knobs all need an internal cleaning, as t's static when they're adjusted. 2-way speakers have all original drivers...they are 6" and 4" respectively. We tested the auto feature and stacking feature and they're working, but are a little sluggish in relation to the platter speed...when the platter is manually speeded up, the auto features complete their cycle. Again, classic symptoms of just an old unit that has probably not been used in decades and has never had a tune-up/cleaning/lube. This will be one, sweet record player when restored! You will not be disappointed, guaranteed...no upsetting condition surprises on your end. We're very serious about grading our pieces, as you collectors/investors deserve...when we say mint, we mean it. Bid with confidence...professional packaging is guaranteed, and we double box when necessary. If we've overlooked anything, please let us know. Email us with any questions...for best service, please don't wait until the last moment to ask a question, as we cannot guarantee we'll be monitoring email at that specific time/day. Local pick-up in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago is always welcomed. We'll hold this for you for a reasonable time if you can't pick up right away, but please confirm with us before bidding. This is a VERY large and VERY fragile piece, that will be easily "oversized-2" when properly packed, so please keep this in mind. Professional shipping with new/proper packing materials will be approximately $65 to the continental United States. ... read more

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