[rocketeer]

I know I posted this during the in-between period; after the initial changeover and before the change to MyBB, because I was contacted by a member who offered a changer for it, but that post has disappeared, at least a search fails to find it. I also posted a thread with images of the original price tag and a link to a copy of the manual, which I will also re-add.

A couple of weeks ago there was a Magnavox Regency Symphony 155-B on CL. I communicated with the lady and decided to pass on it since I have room for 5 consoles and already had 10. A couple of days later I got a call on my cell phone while on the way home from delivering a radio. It was the same lady and she practically begged me to come see it so I did. After looking it over I again passed on it, at $75. As I started to leave she turned to me and begged me to take it for $40 so I caved.

OK, you guys with these Maggy's forgot to mention how bloody heavy they are! So here we are, me 71 with a bad back and 5 knee operations, my wife with Post-Polio, and this old lady with one good arm. Good thing there was no one around with a video camera!

Anyway, here tis. Interestingly the Jewelry store that sold it, Galperin, is still in business.

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...55-B-1.jpg]

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...5-B-11.jpg]

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...55-B-4.jpg]

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...5-B-16.jpg]

Larry

[Doug Houston]

This is the model that Ron bought a year or more ago. If the set still has the Webster-Chicago 56 changer, or an upgrade of the same model, you have a mighty fine radio there. i also bought a few nice consoles in the last year, though I also am low on space. It's simply an addiction.

[rocketeer]

Unfortunately the changer had been replaced with a Voice of Music model 1255 somewhere along the way. If everything works out, as far as the chassis' and speakers go once I've refurbed them, then I'll probably keep an eye open for a changer, but for now I need to make sure the rest is good before going in that direction.

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191.../vom-4.jpg]

Larry

[Ron Ramirez]

Larry

I think it was Joe (w4rtc) that offered the changer to you?

Very nice catch! Funny, mine also had a V-M changer in it when I bought it. As you know, it now has a W-C 256 changer (thanks again Doug). Your Regency has different cloth than mine...mine has what looks like Philco "Ribbed" cloth, only with a slight reddish tint.

Doug, which cloth would have been correct in the Regency?

I bought enough "Ribbed" cloth to replace the torn cloth in mine before John Okolowicz ran out of it. But I would rather save that "Ribbed" cloth for Philco sets if that is not the correct pattern for the Regency.

[rocketeer]

Yeah, I passed on the changer only because I don't want to spend money on that before I know whether or not there are problems with either or both of the chassis.

Here's a closeup of the grille cloth. It does not look like it has been changed but I could not swear to it. There is an underlaying vertical rib in the material that's just visible behind the "X" pattern. If you look close you'll see, in the upper left, one of the tie threads used to keep it tight against the grille.

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...-B-33a.jpg]

Larry

[w4rtc]

Yeah, I passed on the changer only because I don't want to spend money on that before I know whether or not there are problems with either or both of the chassis.

Here's a closeup of the grille cloth. It does not look like it has been changed but I could not swear to it. There is an underlaying vertical rib in the material that's just visible behind the "X" pattern. If you look close you'll see, in the upper left, one of the tie threads used to keep it tight against the grille.

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...-B-33a.jpg]

Larry

Hi Larry
Yes I offered you a 56 changer but I think I will keep it, but I have the 256 changer (which is the two speed version 33 and 78 rpm) it is an up grade for the magnavox's as time went on. The 256 looks just like the 56 except the speed switch. If you are interested let me know I will keep it on hand for you if you wish. Where do you live are you close enough to Louisville, KY to pick it up. It has a new 89d pickup and sounds very good with the magnavox. So just let me know if you want me hold on to it, no hurry go ahead and re-do the radio and see if you want it. Just let me know.
Joe

[Arran]

Larry

I think it was Joe (w4rtc) that offered the changer to you?

Very nice catch! Funny, mine also had a V-M changer in it when I bought it. As you know, it now has a W-C 256 changer (thanks again Doug). Your Regency has different cloth than mine...mine has what looks like Philco "Ribbed" cloth, only with a slight reddish tint.

Doug, which cloth would have been correct in the Regency?

I bought enough "Ribbed" cloth to replace the torn cloth in mine before John Okolowicz ran out of it. But I would rather save that "Ribbed" cloth for Philco sets if that is not the correct pattern for the Regency.

Does the VW changer have the same mount pattern as the W-C changer that went in there?
Regards
Arran

[rocketeer]

Hi Larry
Yes I offered you a 56 changer but I think I will keep it, but I have the 256 changer (which is the two speed version 33 and 78 rpm) it is an up grade for the magnavox's as time went on. The 256 looks just like the 56 except the speed switch. If you are interested let me know I will keep it on hand for you if you wish. Where do you live are you close enough to Louisville, KY to pick it up. It has a new 89d pickup and sounds very good with the magnavox. So just let me know if you want me hold on to it, no hurry go ahead and re-do the radio and see if you want it. Just let me know.
Joe

Joe, I would be very interested in the 256. I'm in eastern PA so a pickup would be too far. Any chance you'll be at the Kutztown show? I'll PM you.

Aaron, in my case whoever installed the V-M simply laid a piece of paneling on top of the original shelf and then just set the V-M on top without fastening it down.

Larry

[Ron Ramirez]

Wow Larry, the same person must have converted my Regency to a V-M changer...a piece of paneling was also laid over the original opening for the W-C 56 changer, one mounting ear partially cut off, and the V-M changer was put in without being fastened down in any way. There are scars inside the lid where the spindle hit the inside of the lid when it was being moved at some point.

I bought my Maggie from someone in Indianapolis. I think she told us she was from Minnesota, and was moving back. So I don't know if she brought the Maggie with her to Indy, or bought it locally.

[rocketeer]

Same here, the inside of the lid is buggered as well. Interesting how these things move around. I bought this one here in eastern PA but it was originally sold in Charlestown WV. Wouldn't it be interesting if radios could talk and tell you where they've been, what they've seen, and how they got where they are?

Larry

[w4rtc]

The plot thickens, tune in tomorrow, did the VM,s do away with the WC,s? The radio,s are not talking. Tune in tomorrow for more on this mystery. .
Joe

[Doug Houston]

Ron;

I saw a Regency-Symphony in the flesh last year. I failed to notice the grille cloth, but if our buddy here says that his appears original, and has a sort of understated vertical rib, that's probably the answer. I wonder how similar the prewar ReGency grille cloth is to the one after the war ??????? That one's in pretty nice shape.

Thee prewar Belvedere that I bought a few months ago still has a couple of small patches of grille cloth left. Somebody's Kitty-cat must have had a fun time with the grille cloth. I still have that accursed cast on my right foot. I hope to have it off within a couple of weeks. I have a list a block long, of things I need to get done. Lots of stuff on each of the cars.

[Ron Ramirez]

Interesting. I've been looking online, and I've found several photos of Regency Symphony sets with grille cloth like mine, that look like Philco "Ribbed" cloth. I haven't seen any others with a gold diamond pattern like Larry's Regency.

So...I'm not sure what I will do with my set regarding its grille cloth. I may go ahead and instill the Philco "Ribbed" cloth, or else I might rummage through a few fabric shops first, like we used to do before John O. opened Grillecloth.com .

It's not real high on the priority list right now, though. I'm trying to make time to get started on what is going to be a major project - the restoration of my 41-616 chassis.

[Ron Ramirez]

Here;s how the cloth looks on the right side of my Regency (notice it is torn):

[Image: http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k420/...e00001.jpg]

For comparison, here is some (original) Philco "Ribbed" cloth in my 37-690:

[Image: http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k420/...e00002.jpg]

You can tell the patterns are similar, yet different.

Yup...the fabric store option for the Regency is becoming more attractive, depending on what - if anything - I can find for it there.

[rocketeer]

Here's a pic of the backside of my grille cloth. As you can see it's not really a vertical rib pattern but more a cross-hatch however, I've examined the wood trim that holds it in and it does not appear to have ever been removed. Dunno.

[Image: http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191...ckside.jpg]

Larry