Hello. I have recently inherited a Webcor record player. I think from the 1950s. Its beautiful. Model number MT1755-1 . It still works. Even the speakers. It has the owners manual, some sort of spare clip that I think holds the needle on in the original envelope, a white spindle for playing multiple 45s, and 4 metal discs that say ’Webster Chicago corporation ’ on 1 side and ’Patent Applied For’ on other side. . I believe are adaptor discs for playing 45 records.

I was going to just put it out for trash, but I cant believe it works and is in such good condition.

Could someone help me? Was thinking of selling it. Would love for it to go to someone who would enjoy it. Any help about its history, what it may be worth, and where its a good place to sell that I won't get ripped off and where there may be vintage record player enthusiasts.
I keep trying to upload pictures but it says file too large. I could E-mail pics of it would help.

Thank you.

As for the MANY 1st-posters pop on here with the same "I just inherited" - "I just aquired" - I recently found" - etc. etc.
My reply is: in as-is condition it's worth around $20 bucks - the going rate for such articles.
It is not a gold mine, nor rare.
Properly restored by a knowledgeable tech, it'll sound great and be safe to use, as well as last a long time.
But if you want to sell it, fine, just don't expect a lot.

I usually recommend Craig's List. Advertise it as "Vintage Turntable" or similar, and include a few nice pictures. Be willing to take a month or two to sell it. Your goal shouldn't be maximizing the price you get -- though being willing to take a month or two to sell it will to some degree push up the selling price. Your goal is the same as with a housepet. You want it to go to a "good home." That usually means a collector. When a collector shows up in response to your ad, you'll be able to identify them easily. They'll know what it is, and they won't have off-the-wall expectations.

Avoid the fortyish parent whose fifteen-year-old child is "getting into records." They don't know much about changers and vintage audio. They'll think that what you have is the same as one of those awful Crosley all-in-one units available as the discount stores, except that yours is older. Later, when a technician in their town tells them it'll cost $200 to fix it up, they'll toss it in the dumpster.

Fred
owner
Classic Audio Repair

Well, OK. Thank you for such a warm reply. I was not expecting nor hoping for a ’’Gold Mine’’ . Yes this is my first post here. I just wanted a little help and guidance. I know nothing about these machines, other than how to use them. I was more hoping to find someone that would really enjoy it, and if I make a couple bucks.. .then great. If not, then oh well. But I did not come on here hoping I had something ’’Rare’’.

As I was writing this, I saw a reply. Thank you Fred. I appreciate your post. I wouldn't want it to end up in a dumpster or in the hands of a teenager who will trash it. Again, thank you.

That's a nice record player! Hopefully, it will find itself with a collector who will properly restore it and enjoy using it!

I agree that $20-$25 would be about right in it's current unrestored condition.

I would love for it to go to a collector too. I've had bad experiences with Craigslist in the past. Is there anywhere else that I could get it to someone who would love it?

I too have had bad experiences with CL. Too many flakes and con artist. It's a long shot; but, if there's an antique radio club in your area, one of it's members may like old record players. Or, if you don't mind shipping it, you could try selling it here in the classifieds.

If I was buying, which I am not, I would pay $55-$60 for the musicale shipped, especially if it had the GE VR-II cartridge and some replacement styluses. I sold one of those restored for $150. It sounded pretty good. On CL with customer pickup, 40 bucks .But you never know. You might get $100 if it still sounds good unrestored. If you sell it unrestored, don't sell it to a lawyer as it could burn down his house without the e caps replaced.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Your MT1755-1 is a great find. The "M" prefix on the model number, by the way, signifies the mahogany finish. I also have an MT1755-1 Musicale Coronet that was my first record player purchase when I was 11 or 12...and also a copy of it's blonde sister, the BT1755-1A. These are great sounding players with attractive mid-century styling. Made in 1957-58, they were factory equipped with ceramic cartridges and reasonably powerful push-pull tube amps.

A common issue with an un-restored Webcor player of this era is a rock hard, and therefore very noisy idler (or drive) wheel. These can be rebuilt, or perhaps an NOS replacement can be located on eBay or wherever. Also, since your player is nearing 55 years old, it could probably use a complete replacement of all capacitors (used in the amplifier).

It would be terribly difficult to assess a value based on the one picture and limited information you posted. Many times, these players will limp along and "play" as found- although not well - even though they need a needle, an idler wheel, cleaning and re-lubrication of the changer mechanism, etc. Usually, what kills the value for me is the condition of the cabinet. A water-ringed, chipped, peeling, cracked and abused cabinet and finish is more work - and more money, if you are not a DIY'er - to "fix" then it does to fix the electrical and mechanical issues. In good, original cosmetic condition, playing but needing the usual work that comes with age and the passing of time, I'd say that your player might be worth $50-75.

Here's a picture of my blonde BT1755-1A, taken when I bought it off a Craigslist seller in 2010: