Hallicrafters SX-88 - sold for $10,000 on eBay
Ed Wallis
been refinished), and it's rare and all, but I don't think that I'd
want to sink $10 Grand into it. Somebody did, though - link below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4673&item=3002177038&
Ed
Sven Franklyn Weil
> Looks real nice (according to the article, the outside cabinet has
Goes to show what GOOD pictures can do for your sale.
--
Sven
Bill M
"Sven Franklyn Weil" <sv...@gordsven.com> wrote in message
news:slrnb3gl0...@gordsven.com...
Shows what having Joe Walsh bidding will do too!
-BM
Uncle Peter
I wonder what price an SX-28 or SX-42 could command, given the
same rarity and condition of that SX-88. Personally, the SX-28 is the
"classic" Hallicrafters, IMHO.
Pete
Robert Casey
>
>
> Shows what having Joe Walsh bidding will do too!
> -BM
You'd need TWO such people in a bidding war. Or a
ballsie shrill. I would assume "Joe Walsh" would use
an alias so as to not be seen as a shrilling opportunity.
Phil Nelson
news:JsZZ9.122570$ui1.2...@news1.east.cox.net...
> I wonder what price an SX-28 or SX-42 could command, given the
> same rarity and condition of that SX-88. Personally, the SX-28 is the
> "classic" Hallicrafters, IMHO.
I own all three of those sets and the SX-88 is certainly the best of breed.
On the other hand, you can get a perfectly nice SX-42 or SX-28 for, say,
$500 and invest the spare $9500 in your kids' college fund or donate it to a
worthy charity. I felt I was paying a fool's ransom when I bought my 88 a
few years ago, but it was a small fraction of this bonanza price. If there
were only 60-some SX-28s or SX-42s left in the world, they might go for the
same money in today's frenzied bidding climate. People are paying a premium
for rarity, pure and simple. I only hope that the winner isn't a dealer who
plans to leave the set in its box and re-auction it next year. I agree that
the SX-28 is probably the most memorable Hallicrafters, both for performance
and because of the historical context. Hardly a week goes by when I don't
get email from someone restoring a treasured SX-28. As with the R390A, there
is a large community of SX-28 lovers out there, and some times it is more
enjoyable to trade information and stories with fellow collectors than to
sit alone in a dark room listening to a radio -- no matter what it says on
the back label.
My wife's comment when I showed her this auction result: "Good grief -- it's
only a radio!!"
:-)
Phil "88 on the bedside table" Nelson
Neutrodyne
>From: Ed Wallis no...@noway.org
>Date: 1/29/2003 3:56 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: <kfjg3vcf1jd121ccs...@4ax.com>
I think I'd want it to at least be NIB for $10K.
Neutrodyne
Beerbarrel
12000 dollars for that radio!
Then my wife would have got it in the divorce settlement...
Tracy Fort
KE4ODD
Beerbarrel<nospam>@cox.net
Remove the <nospam> for replies
AComarow
California" band. If you looked at his feedback, you'd see that he rarely
sells, mostly buys, and his recent deals show that what he wants, he buys. Must
be nice to have an bottomless war chest!
Avery W3AVE in Potomac, Md.
[snip]
>I only hope that the winner isn't a dealer who
>plans to leave the set in its box and re-auction it next year.
>
Uncle Peter
QST or CQ Mag., IIRC..
Pete
"AComarow" <acom...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030129195635...@mb-cr.aol.com...
Uncle Peter
"Phil Nelson" <philn...@antiqueradio.orgNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:X5_Z9.3376$wd2.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
doors off of it...
Running and ducking..
Uncle Petey
Ken G.
Pgonshor
"$10,000, at the drop of a hat, I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be
like that."
At the time Dylan wrote that, $10,000 was somthing. Today, it barely buys a
toy for a rich guy.
kenneth scharf
> My wife's comment when I showed her this auction result: "Good grief -- it's
> only a radio!!"
So is a Stratosphere. They go for several times the price that SX88 did.
I saw a Hammarlund Comet Pro for auction on ebay a while ago. I think
they are rarer than
the SX88, but it didn't fetch anywhere near that price.
Joe Bento
After loosing his license by speeding in his Maserati, (My Maserati
does 185...) what else has he to spend his money on? :-)
Heh... and he claimed in the CQ article that he doesn't routinely try
and outbid others.
Joe
Remove the -nospam- to send e-mail
joseph-...@kirtland.com
Joe Bento
That's no alias... That's his real callsign. I doubt someboy would
bootleg that.
Joe Bento
>Joe Walsh, the winner, isn't a dealer--he's a member of the Eagles, the "Hotel
>California" band. If you looked at his feedback, you'd see that he rarely
>sells, mostly buys, and his recent deals show that what he wants, he buys. Must
>be nice to have an bottomless war chest!
I just took a look at his bid history. Now I know why I've never won
bidding on something as modest a National vernier dial! My pocketbook
rarely allows me to do a major purchase on e-bay. $50 or $60 perhaps
every few months is pretty much all I allow myself.
I read the CQ bio about him. It looks as though he has some mint
condition radios with over seven operating positions for his ham radio
hobby.
I can still kick myself when I first got my ham license - Back in 1970
or so, I thought $100.00 (at the time) was too much to pay for an
SX-88 on consignment at Ham Radio Outlet.
Robert Casey
> On 30 Jan 2003 00:56:35 GMT, acom...@aol.com (AComarow) wrote:
>
> >Joe Walsh, the winner, isn't a dealer--he's a member of the Eagles, the "Hotel
>
> I read the CQ bio about him. It looks as though he has some mint
> condition radios with over seven operating positions for his ham radio
> hobby.
He has an "amateur extra" class license, so he must take ham radio
quite seriously. Though he hasn't yet done the vanity callsign thing.
But I haven't done that either, as I like my old call. WA2ISE
John Stone
wa2...@bellsouth.net wrote on 1/29/03 7:52 PM:
Less than 70 SX88's known to exist according to the auction? My brother has
2 of them. Really!
Phil Nelson
news:7410-3E3...@storefull-2316.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Phil ... you have one of those ? is it on ebay about now !
No, sitting on my bedside table, where it will stay until they pry it from
my cold, dead fingers. At the garage sale (or charity pickup) after I kick,
maybe someone will scoop it up for $25, and I wish them happy trails. As far
as my wife & kids are concerned, these radios are just boring old crap. At
least it keeps me out of their hair :-)
P.
Phil Nelson
to this group.
http://antiqueradio.org/dumpster.htm
P.
Scott W. Harvey
That SX-88 is the cherryist boatanchor I've seen in some time. The
appearance is as breathtaking as the performance. 10 grand is quite a
sum, but then again, Joe Walsh is no Ordinary Average Guy.
-Scott
Sven Franklyn Weil
Phil Nelson wrote:
> as my wife & kids are concerned, these radios are just boring old crap. At
> least it keeps me out of their hair :-)
Phil, you should tell your wife what it's worth...that way if
god-forbid anything should happen to you, she'll get the right price
for it...and be taken care of. At the very least she shouldn't let it
go for $25.
Consider it a sort of lifeinsurance.except it's one that you don't
have to pay premiums on, well except for the electricity it takes to
run it. :)
--
Sven
Sven Franklyn Weil
Phil Nelson wrote: > I had forgotten about this silly (staged) page,
which may amuse new vistors
So Phil....how much is "retail" for that radio in that condtion? :)
Couple-a hundred? A few? Closer to a thousand?
Will I keel over if I hear how much?
$10,000. Hmmm...I'd buy myself a 1950something rust-bucket car
(from TimR. probably) for $1,000 bucks and have money left over for a
few steak dinners...parts for the car...and maybe one hour in a New
York City parking garage! :-D
--
Sven
Michael A. Terrell
>
> Sort of like the Zenith Waltons, any decent Philco or RCA will blow the
> doors off of it...
>
> Running and ducking..
>
> Uncle Petey
I think you should duck first, then RUN! :) :)
--
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
Brian McAllister
<wa2...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>He has an "amateur extra" class license, so he must take ham radio
>quite seriously. Though he hasn't yet done the vanity callsign thing.
>But I haven't done that either, as I like my old call. WA2ISE
I always thought yours was a vanity callsign. Way too Wise. ;l-)
Brian McAllister
Sarasota, Florida
John Doty
>> as my wife & kids are concerned, these radios are just boring old crap.
>> At least it keeps me out of their hair :-)
>
> Phil, you should tell your wife what it's worth...that way if god-forbid
> anything should happen to you, she'll get the right price for it...and
> be taken care of. At the very least she shouldn't let it go for $25.
NO HE SHOULD NOT!!!!!!
To a true hobbyist this stuff is just lovable, worthless old junk.
Bringing "value" into it is degrading. The Ebay vermin who've discovered
this stuff are to be despised and resisted: they are the equivalent of
those who would site toxic waste dumps on parkland. Hurray for the
hobbyists who restore and enjoy this magnificent technology! Shame upon
the greedy "collectors" who are defiling and destroying our hobby.
--
| John Doty "You can't confuse me, that's my job."
| Home: j...@w-d.org
| Work: j...@space.mit.edu
Ron
> >been refinished
10 grand for a repainted radio ? ? ? ?
I wouldn't have a piece of repainted crap in my collection.
It ruins all the value as far as I'm concerned.
I glad for the seller that Joe bought,
if I found a repainted one I'd sale too.
Ron
Bill M
"Ron" <kc4...@trellis.net> wrote in message
news:d98f9107.03013...@posting.google.com...
Joe has several other SX-88s. He can put that beautiful chassis into a
"real" cabinet and put one of the $4000 junkers into the painted cabinet..
-BM
Uncle Peter
"John Doty" <j...@w-d.org> wrote in message
news:0_-dnV7x9pR...@speakeasy.net...
I'd rather see a classic in the hands of a true collector who paid top
dollar for it. Most likely it will pampered, enjoy a climate controlled
environment, and hold its worth and desirability for many generations;
while hopefully being played and enjoyed by someone who appreciates
the radio's history.
I've seen too many fine classics end up in the hands of "hobbyists":
extra panel holes, countless mods, and dynamo tape for labels. Most
have become fodder for toxic waste sites because their value has
been destroyed by "ham" butchers. Someone who is a hobbyist
who RESTORES and ENJOYS this technology is certainly also most
likely a serious collector with the means to support his hobby; even on
a modest budget. To attempt to seperate the two is ludricrous.
Many classics would have long become land fill if not for their monetary
value. I've paid 125 bucks to have SX-28s crated and shipped across
the country. I suspect if they had no value, they would have long ago
been butchered or ditched.
Peter, k1zjh
collector, ham, and restorer.
You break it, I'll fix it.
Gerald K4NHN
22
Marconi 106-C
Scott Philharmonic
Wireless Specialty IP-501
Philco Concert Grand
http://www.estesauctions.com/feb22listing.html
"Bill M" <ex...@caribe.net> wrote in message
news:v3jdrp4...@corp.supernews.com...
Steven Dinius
doing the same on ham equipment? Thank God somebody had that talent so I
could see what a new one looked. What is the difference? None! It looked
damn nice too! Joe got a bargain and more power to him! If you like a fully
restored TV or tube radio set or a cherry restored car, why do you take
exception when somebody displays fine craftsmanship and restores a
transceiver? Hmmmmph.
Steven
"Gerald K4NHN" <gcr...@usit.net> wrote in message
news:rxn_9.5987$wd2.4...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
Beerbarrel
Am I wrong?
On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 01:06:40 -0700, "Steven Dinius" <10...@fmtc.com>
wrote:
Tracy Fort
Sven Franklyn Weil
> Hmmm. I thought it was just a communications receiver?
Apparently it was THE short-wave radio of the time period. Hence the
price...
--
Sven
Ken G.
1800$ It was hard to keep from putting it on ebay but i just got it and
the newness has not worn off yet .. or may never ?
If any one of my radios was going to sell for 10 grand i would sell it
and buy a couple high end sets i`ve been wanting . I am biased on the
Halli though i just never cared much for those metal box SW sets however
the 88 has a beautifull front panel !
Uncle Peter
Naw, just a very expensive and desirable ham receiver that was produced
in two short runs. Most of the first run sets developed warped bezels.
Apparently out of several hundred sets not many survived, making them
a coveted collectable.
Pete
Brian McAllister
wrote:
>If you all refinish Philcos and such, how CAN you complain about someone
>doing the same on ham equipment? Thank God somebody had that talent so I
>could see what a new one looked. What is the difference? None! It looked
>damn nice too! Joe got a bargain and more power to him! If you like a fully
>restored TV or tube radio set or a cherry restored car, why do you take
>exception when somebody displays fine craftsmanship and restores a
>transceiver? Hmmmmph.
>
I don't think that sx88s came with a powder-coat finish, so using one
can hardly be called restoration.
Brian McAllister
Sarasota, Florida
Ron
> doing the same on ham equipment?
Be carefull when you say "you all refinish".
Not everyone is a refinisher.
I've been collecting radios for almost 33 years and
I have NEVER refinished a radio.
Originality and Condition is EVERYTHING.
The ONLY refinishing I endorse is when the original finish
and wood surface has been destroyed.
Almost anything short of that, clean it preserve it and leave it
alone.
Ron
Uncle Peter
Oddly enough, the big bucks are brought by sets that have
been meticulously refinished. Even to the point of absurdity.
Must be an eBay "thing"; or the serious money is outside
of the collector fraternity.
Pete
Phil Nelson
Well, everyone has different standards, and if you can't abide a repainted
boatanchor, that's your standard. I personally have a different approach to
metal-cased boatanchors than to wooden-cased consumer radios. With wooden
radios, I frequently choose gentle "reviving" methods to freshen an original
finish, rather than strip it to bare wood and lose a lot of the character.
Poorly refinished wood radios look phony and cheap to me. With metal-cased
radios, I don't think there is as much character to preserve. It was just
paint with lettering in the first place, and a nice repaint should look
pretty much identical to a nicely-preserved original. I redid the cabinets
on my Hallicrafters SX-28 and SX-28 and don't regret it. On the other hand,
I didn't pay much for them in the first place and they both had serious
paint problems.
Anyhow, it's a big, wide world with lots of things to find. My theory is,
buy what you like and ignore the rest :-)
Regards,
Phil
John Bartley
> I redid the cabinets
> on my Hallicrafters SX-28 and SX-28 and don't regret it. On the other hand,
> I didn't pay much for them in the first place and they both had serious
> paint problems.
>
Hey Phil, I have an RCA AR88LF here that's in need of a coat of paint,
and I'm going batty trying to find a source of non-aerosol black
"wrinkle" finish that I can apply with a spray gun. I'd even settle for
a nice black or grey hammertone. Any ideas for a manufacturer source?
==
Regards from :
John Bartley
43 Norway Spruce Street
Stittsville, Ontario
Canada, K2S1P5
==
Sven Franklyn Weil
Nelson wrote:
> on my Hallicrafters SX-28 and SX-28 and don't regret it. On the other hand,
> I didn't pay much for them in the first place and they both had serious
> paint problems.
And that paint is the only thing protecting those tin cabinets from
getting rusted out - even if you don't get the cabinet wet, there's
enough residual moisture in the air that the metal will start rusting
very slowly.
It's like an old car that you want to keep from corroding. Paint on metal
doesn't survive the years very well and has to be re-done. It doesn't
soak into the metal like such coatings do with wood (which is probably
what helps lacquers and paint on wood remain in fairly good shape over the
years).
--
Sven
william_b_noble
that supplies automotive repair and industrial users -
"John Bartley" <j...@igs.net> wrote in message
news:3E3AEB5B...@igs.net...
Phil Nelson
heard about the $10K auction and went to look at an old receiver that he has
owned for 30 years. Yep, it's an SX-88 and he's going to sell it on Ebay.
No, I am NOT gonna try to buy it. I just gave him some advice (clean it up
but don't play it any more, don't repaint, etc.) and wished him luck.
Regards,
Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html
James Hilins
completely refinished set including having the front panel painted and
silk-screened.
So go get them old sets, paint them up and put them on eBay.
Man I wonder what a clean original set would have gone for?
Maybe it was a museum who bought it using Government Tax payers funds !
Wouldn't surprise me !
Jim
"Phil Nelson" <philn...@antiqueradio.orgNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:YKr6a.3570$vU3.3...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
William Sommerwerck
> Maybe it was a museum who bought it using Government taxpayers' funds!
> Wouldn't surprise me!
You mean like the Cowgirls' Museum?
If it's of any interest, the Smithsonian does not have funds to buy stuff.
Whatever they have on display has been donated.
James Hilins
meant maintenance costs)
The Milwaukee Museum has a blue bird radio. Most of their art deco stuff
has a name of who donated it, but not this piece, I'm betting they bought
it...
Jim
Sven Franklyn Weil
> They might not buy stuff, but the spend a pretty penny restoring it, (Oh I
> meant maintenance costs)
And who cares whether it's bought or donated? And who cares where the
money came from?
I certainly don't care, as long as everyone can get to see the
item and it's preserved for generations to come. :)
--
Sven