Silvertone - Syntronic record changer

[Motorola minion]

Half the record changers used in Silvertone (sold by Sears and Roebuck) were made by Crescent in mid 60s consoles and portables. Most are very identified by the white cone-shaped control levers on tubed models to the black flat levers on SS models. The console pictured below is of a similar model but uses a Webcor (Webster Chicago corp) changer with stabilizer arm at left front, as many Silvertones do.

I generally advise against restoring the early generation of solid state. I have serviced a few of these changers in the past and the most recent experience on a '63 tube console was encouraging. I also had the same one in a stereo suitcase portable that I had sold, that was in good shape and similar to this one below, showing the Syntronic changer.

Its always a pleasant surprise when a dusty old changer ends up needing only four grommets (motor mounts and speed lever all gone) and the usual cleaning/lubrication. The idler pulley was soft and cleaned up well, Sonotone 9t cartridge sounding good after removing all the dirt up inside it.
One trouble that was tricky to fix, was the record size lever, which indexes the tonearm drop down. If it is stuck, it will drop all records and set down as if a 7 inch. There was an access issue but CRC 2-26 was the right lube and freed it up. Speed and changing of records was
The console itself is a lightweight but sounds surprisingly good using 12" woofs, coaxial mounted tweeters and SE 6BQ5 amplifier.

[Motorola minion]

Portable model I had was similar, very neat styling and it actually sounded pretty good. That is a Syntronic changer as well as my console below.

Silvertone portable 2.jpg (89.1 KiB) Viewed 9411 times

Below is another Silvertone using the equally common Webster Chicago unit. I have one of these also, cant wait to work on it

Silvertone 1963 model.jpg (32.47 KiB) Viewed 9411 times

[William]

Nice looking consoles, Dave. Does the portable have a tone control? I only see 2 knobs.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

Nice looking consoles, Dave. Does the portable have a tone control? I only see 2 knobs.

Bill

The one I had was a tad bigger, used three knobs (volume, tone, balance) and it was to right of changer under lid.

The model pictured seems to have a concentric knob possibly bass and treble?

[electra225]

Could the concentric knobs be for balance and tone? That is a cool looking changer. Reckon what was the purpose for the spear on the tone arm?

[William]

I think the spear was for manual pickup. My cousins had a Sear portable with that tone arm and the spear was kind of handy to manually pick up the tone arm.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

I think the spear was for manual pickup. My cousins had a Sear portable with that tone arm and the spear was kind of handy to manually pick up the tone arm.

Bill

The 'banana" on the record stabilizer is a handle as well. Some of the design features on these made other changers look rather basic.