Finding yourself on Craigslist.

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
edited April 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
Hello,
This is the first time I've found something I modified for sale on any site. Way back in the early 70's myself and two buddies started a small company modifying Dynaco ST70 amplifiers, PAS3x preamps and Rabco SL8E tonearms. I did the Rabcos and the great Lance Greenstreet did the Dynaco work (in many ways some of the things we take for granted such as upgraded resistors, capacitors and even advanced interconnect cables were first thought of by him). For the Rabco I would take the metal head shells and rebuild them completely out of balsa wood that had been filled and painted. I also coated the inside of main arm railings with Teflon and added damping blocks to the main arm carriage. Since the tonearm was considerably less weight than the original I had my dad cut about a third off of the counterweight. It was a really good sounding tonearm, in fact J. Gordon Holt used one and it was a Stereophile recommended component for a while.
To find one for sale, after all these years, brings back lots of memories.
Cheers, Ken
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/4416718490.html
Post edited by [Deleted User] on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Hello,
    I kept track of the number of tonearms I did (I kept the original metal head shells in a shoebox) and it was around 125 of them. I've thought about buying this one, especially since my late dad helped with them, but I'm a few days from payday. Here are some photos of what the modified Rabco became. One of DKL's friends was the late Herb Papier, the developer of the famous Tri-Planer tonearm, and he wanted to see what he could add to what I was doing. Herb had been an instrument maker and was far more skilled than I was. He took my Rabco and transformed it with combinations of carbon fiber and aluminum. In fact you can see the beginnings of what the Tri-Planer would become. He thought of placing the battery compartment separate from the main assembly and lots of details such as a brass counterweight and Teflon coated silver wires. I had my Rabco mounted on a Luxman PD-121 table, which shared some of the design of the Technics SP10 turntable. I eventually added the outer tonearm damping material and enjoyed it for many years until I found the Maplenoll.
    Enjoy, Ken
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited April 2014
    Explain to him how the mods ruin the originality and offer him a 10 spot.....
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Ah, good idea!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited April 2014
    Ken - Great story! Thanks for sharing! If I had any vinyl, I'd buy it for certain! It's cool to know that something you did so long ago can still be enjoyed by someone today.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Yes, it is a good feeling. I wish I could find one of Lance's modified ST70, that was a good amp. We developed a kit for the PAS3x but not for the ST70.
    We also had a modification kit for the old Infinity 2000A which had an electrostatic tweeter system.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Oh my, that is very generous. The comptroller, my wife, has already approved a loan from our savings (I'm already in the hole for a recent purchase) if I want to pick it up. I just might see what happens tomorrow, our customary day out exploring.
    Besides you guys are no trouble at all to work with, I owe you actually.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited April 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    Ken, if you want it and others are willing, I'll shoot you $10 via paypal. If you want it and it has sentimental value, I'm sure some other guys wouldn't mind pitching some in as a thanks for putting up with us all these years.

    Great idea, Ken has been great to me-wish he was still at Polk!!

    I will chip in.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Hello,
    I appreciate the offer, but it isn't necessary, believe me. I have too many pending projects going on already, got to finish this Tapesonic and then the A77 motor. The really big Ampex project is next and I'm too easily distracted by shiny objects. Like saying, "squirrel" to a dog.
    Ken
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited April 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    Ken, if you want it and others are willing, I'll shoot you $10 via paypal. If you want it and it has sentimental value, I'm sure some other guys wouldn't mind pitching some in as a thanks for putting up with us all these years.

    I'll pitch $10.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited April 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    C'mon Ken, let us do this for you.



    SQUIRREL!!!! :cheesygrin:


    It would be nice to be able to give a little something back to someone who has helped so many of us.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited April 2014
    Ha, that's really cool.

    I know you said you're good, but if needed I can chip in as well.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited April 2014
    Hello,
    Thanks everyone, but I checked my "moderator's handbook" and it forbids accepting gifts from members. I told my wife what you guys offered and she was amazed. I told her it's typical of what you guys do all the time. Arguing one minute about cables and sending someone prayers the next.
    Take care out there, Ken
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited April 2014
    I'm sorry Ken, but I feel I have to set the record straight. We don't argue about cables, rather we correct the naysayers mistaken and often ignorant viewpoint on the matter. :mrgreen:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • villian
    villian Posts: 412
    edited April 2014
    Cool find!
    Too many good quotes to list..waiting for some fresh ammo. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited April 2014
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Oh my, that is very generous. Besides you guys are no trouble at all to work with, I owe you actually.

    That is correct, I was having trouble approaching the subject. You owe me for the tank of nitrous oxide I sent you at your request.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited April 2014
    George Grand wrote: »
    That is correct, I was having trouble approaching the subject. You owe me for the tank of nitrous oxide I sent you at your request.

    Sir laughs a lot, huh?
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter