Perhaps the most frustrating piece of getting started on this was discovering how much damage has been done by the little critter that took up residence in the stereo console. A peek inside the record player chassis and I could tell that is where the mouse had made its home. There were giant balls of fluff everywhere and the worst part is I couldn't figure out how to remove the top of the turntable. I spent a lot of time trying to remove the rails that hold the turntable onto the console, but I couldn't get my tools into the narrow space where the bolts were holding the metal turntable body to the rails. I tried removing the screws holding the rails down to the wood, but I quickly discovered that some of the screws holding the rails on were nearly inaccessible due to the position of the rails. I forced it a bit and managed to remove the metal turntable and the rails from the console. Then I had to spend some time getting inside the turntable into the mouse home. I found the latches that hold the sprung top down and opened it up. It was a wreck. See the photos for evidence.
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| That fluffball was the former mouse home |
Finally, I was inside and could see that this Zenith Cobra-Matic was a Voice of Music turntable manufactured for Zenith in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The model number is stamped on the metal. Model 1201-339. I am pretty happy to learn this as there is a ton of information on Voice of Music turntables and there are great sources for parts over at
Voice of Music Enthusiasts. I am grateful that Gary Stork had the wherewithal and the means to save the inventory as the company was going out of business in 1998 and that he is still able to keep a great source open for folks who are just getting into this mess of a hobby.
There is a super helpful post at Antique Radio Forums that will help me dive into the restoration process.
V-M 1200 Changer Step-by-Step Restoration. I am amazed at all the resources out there for someone just diving in.
Here are a few other photos of the insides of the record player. I am super happy that there were no mouse remains to deal with, clearly, this little critter decided to move out before I took ownership of the Zenith.
Here is the ink-stamped code on the underside of the turntable. 857 941 1201 339. "857" is the Electronics Industry Association's identification number for Voice of Music Corporation. "941" is the date code (changer built 41st week of 1959) and 1201-339 is the actual V-M model number of the changer.
Here is the destruction caused by the rodent that called this record player its home. I plan to take a hose to this and will probably repaint the interior to get it back to its shine (and cover up the residual smell of nicotine and mouse that is lingering).
