How The Horse scored a $350 item for free!

@TheHorse (205682)
Walnut Creek, California
April 30, 2017 1:10pm CST
Actually, it would be a $350 item if it were working perfectly, but it's not. But I did get it for free. Last weekend (or was it the weekend before?) I drove out to Sacramento to pick up a single Dynaco A-25 (a vintage loudspeaker for restoration) that I had won on eBay for $42. The seller was a really nice guy, and we chatted away about vintage audio gear, a nerdy but fun hobby. As I was leaving, he said, "Hey, do you want a 1965 KLH Model 25 console? If we can get it into your SUV, you have have it for free. I need my garage back!" I said "Heck yes," and we loaded it up. When I got home, I did my DD, and found that this unit (which I had never heard of) sold for $350 in 1965, and still commands that in good condition on the vintage audio market. You can see that this thing has an ugly plant ring on top, but that's right up my alley. When I fired it up, I found that the amplifier works, the tuner works, the woofers work, the tweeters are silent, and the turntable won't turn on for me. So I'll see what I can get for it once I've cosmetically restored it. I don't have the time to take it apart and work on the "innards." My child laborer says, "Sell it for a thousand dollars!" I immediately appointed him Marketing Manager of our little operation, but I think I'll be prudent and shoot for around $150.
15 people like this
14 responses
Laurel (L_B)
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
30 Apr 17
My mom had a beautiful one that had a bar inside it. It was in excellent condition and worked perfectly. She willed it to my oldest sister who treasures it.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
Oh, I would too. My parents had an even older (than 1965) one with tubes in it. It sounds great. I'm not sure what became of it.
2 people like this
Laurel (L_B)
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
30 Apr 17
@TheHorse they were a things back in the day.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe People who got rid of the old tube stuff didn't realize what they were doing.
2 people like this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Apr 17
Nice new job for you. I like the wood color. Is that cherry?
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
I'm not even sure. It's called Fruit Wood, I think.
2 people like this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Apr 17
@TheHorse ......Pretty.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
@celticeagle I'm hoping it looks good when we're done. In general, people like walnut better. But my child laborer and I will make this look pretty good.
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
1 May 17
The old turntables were easier to repair. I have a question, did you try to play a record? Some turntables do not start to spin until the tone arm is is over the turntable.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
2 May 17
@TheHorse In this case it is very possible that it is the belt. I am pretty sure that you can find online tutorial to replace the old one with a new belt.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 May 17
@LadyDuck It could be the belt. But I'm not sure that I'm wedded enough to this thing to do the research and fully fix the innards. If I fix the wood, someone else can find the belt and replace the capacitors on the way to the tweeters. I not retired, so I have to set my limits.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 May 17
Yeah, I did that. This is one of those old time "changers," so I tried every combination and purmutation I could think of.
2 people like this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
30 Apr 17
Good for you there
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
We'll see what comes of it. I'm almost done restoring the top.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325696)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 17
You'll have fun restoring this. I put a bucket on warm water on our dining table and that has left a ring so when you run out of work......
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
Oh, I'll stop by on my way to Trader Joe's. Hey, is Herc feeling better?
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
@JudyEv Well, I'm glad that love trumps food. But I'm glad he's eating again as well.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325696)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 17
@TheHorse He was back eating today although he would have left his pellets to come up to the house with us if we'd allowed it.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
1 May 17
That's a beautiful piece of furniture. You might get more than you think..
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
That would be really cool. It IS a well-made piece.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 May 17
@RubyHawk It has a space for 33s (records) or books. I suppose one could "clear it out" and use it as a hallway unit.
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
2 May 17
@TheHorse It is and will likely last longer than some new furniture.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (62112)
• United States
1 May 17
Yeah, get those child laborers to working on it!!!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
I'm doing most of the work on this one. But he's helped me a little bit.
1 person likes this
GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 Apr 17
Listen to your child laborer--you can always come down in price!!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
Heh heh. OK, I'll start at $1000. His name is Martin, same as my favorite dreadnought guitar!
Fleur
@Fleura (29126)
• United Kingdom
18 May 17
Having just looked at the 'after' picture, you both did a great job!
Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
1 May 17
How cool is that @TheHorse ; you never know when you're gonna stumble upon something unexpected.
Deborah-Diane
@DeborahDiane (40053)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 May 17
@TheHorse - That is great! I love it when I luck into a nice freebie!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
@DeborahDiane It's a cool console. But it needs both cosmetic and electronic work. I'll do the former and then see what happens.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
Here's what it looks like as of today. I hope I can find a happy home for it fairly soon.
1 person likes this
Deborah-Diane
@DeborahDiane (40053)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 May 17
@TheHorse - Wow! It looks gorgeous. I'm sure someone will be very pleased with it.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
1 May 17
Aim high. Shoot for $2000! Then when they talk you down to $150, they'll think they got quite the bargain! That kid is a genius.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 May 17
I see a great future for him.
1 person likes this
Kelli M
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
1 May 17
I'd love to see pictures of the cosmetic restoration!
April
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
30 Apr 17
My grandparents had one almost identical to that, but it was painted. John Deere green, probably by my uncle.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205682)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr 17
Well, my Great-Great Grandfather knew John Deere, back in Moline Illinois, but I still think I'd prefer natural wood. Heh.