A Guide to Buying Vintage Turntables

Buying a vintage turntable can be an overwhelming undertaking for some. If you aren’t sure where to buy one, you may be tempted to buy from a seller that may not be reputable due to price or ease of finding. That’s why we’ve thrown together this guide on buying vintage turntables near Bensalem!

Is buying a vintage turntable worth it?

There’s no one easy answer to this, as it really comes down to why you want or need a turntable. If you just want a piece of equipment to play records every now and then, then there’s no harm in buying a newer option. However, there are three main advantages to buying a vintage turntable over its newer counterpart:

1.      They can often be found at a cheaper price than a new, equivalent option.

2.      Products for consumers were built with better quality in the 1970s and 1980s, meaning your vintage turntable may be better quality than its new counterpart.

3.      Vintage turntables come with a certain sophisticated aesthetic that isn’t commonly available in newer turntables.

If any of these three advantages stick out to you as something you want, then it’s worth it to buy vintage!

Where can I buy a vintage turntable?

While you can find some on Facebook Marketplace or other unverified sources, our recommendation is to choose a trusted shop that not only sells vintage audio but repairs it as well. That way you know that you are purchasing equipment that works and have a good relationship with someone who can repair it if needed in the future! Here at Mort’s TV, we buy, sell and repair vintage turntables, so we have the experience and knowledge that you should look for when choosing where to buy your new vintage audio.

What should I check when buying a vintage turntable?

When buying a vintage turntable, there are some things that you should check for – especially if you aren’t buying from a reputable and trusted seller. First, always bring a test record along so you can check if the turntable works before buying it and bringing it home. This can save you from buying a piece of vintage audio equipment that will ultimately become a paperweight due to it not working. For this – don’t choose your favorite, most expensive record. Instead pick something that is relatively inexpensive in case it is damaged during the sound test.

Second, visually inspect it. Look for any signs of damage, wear or tear. If you notice anything that looks off, consider talking to someone with more expertise in vintage turntables to get their opinion before buying.

Third, ask questions! Learn about any required maintenance and when maintenance was last performed. If there’s regular performative maintenance that must be done to keep your new vintage turntable working, make sure that it’s been done within an appropriate timeframe.

Finally, complete the sound test! Make sure that the audio sounds right and that there’s no distortion. During the sound test, make sure to test different speed settings and pitch tune knobs to ensure that everything is inworking condition.

What if my vintage turntable stops working?

While some may trash their vintage turntables if they stop working, that’s not normally the best response. If your vintage turntable stops working, the best choice is to bring it to Mort’s TV! We have experience repairing vintage turntables of all kinds and are a trusted shop for repairing vintage audio pieces! If it’s not worth the cost of repairs, we can help you find a new to you vintage turntable that will suit your needs.

What should I do if I no longer want my vintage turntable?

If you already have a vintage turntable and you have decided to either upgrade to a different model or that a vintage turntable doesn’t suit your lifestyle anymore, you call always sell it! Here at Mort’s TV, we don’t just sell vintage turntables, but we buy them too! Pass along your vintage turntable to someone new who will appreciate it just as much.

 

When you are ready to buy, sell or repair a vintage turntable near Bensalem, the choice is clear. Stop by Mort’s TV today! You can also call us at 215-945-8381 or contact us!