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Save 37%

Gates CB 500 16" M5739 transcription turntable 3 speed from 1960

List price: $1,500.00
$950.00
You save: $550.00 (37%)
gatescb5005
Out-of-stock
Add to wish list
 

“ seldom seen Gates 16" transcription turntable, from an Audio Engineer's estate. It was retired working from a broadcast studio a many years ago. When plugged in, the motor scrambledhealithly to life and allowed effective shifting from 33, 45 to 78 rpm, needs adjustments and lubrication (see the table on and spinning in exhibits below).  It presents in person, though needs lots of restoration... may need a fresh idler wheel, although this one is working for now. The Gates CB 500 is a well known table and rubber parts are easy enough to fabricate or source. The frame, platter and chassis need some cleaning and refinishing. The shift control area is legible, with wear. The bottom rim of the chassis has old tar based rubber that will need to be cleaned off There are numerous blemishes, including some light oxidation and chipped, worn paint around the edges (see photo exhibits) There are also a few blemishes leftover from previous accesories and old holes that were filled many years ago for tonearms and arm rests. The platter is solid, it needs cosmetic restoration, cleaning, and a new mat.)”

Before quality audio recording tape became viable in the mid to late 1950s (Pioneered by Ampex, and media makers like Irish Audio tape) -- the way to record and especially playback audio with fidelity for broadcast was with the classic large 16" recording turntables. As the broadcast markets boomed in postwar america, these large tables, thanks to their superior durability, stability and quality, became the reproduction standard in station studios all over the world .. two companies especially dominated commercial, studio audio for radio stations and recording studios nationwide ... Gates Radio, of Quincy Illinois and to a lesser extent Collins Radio (who did not make tables themselves, selling others like Fairchild).

Over the course of nearly 40 years, Gates made and perfected some of the best transcription size tables the USA ever produced, out selling everybody else.  Right in the league with Fairchild, Rek-O-Cut, Presto, QRK and RCA...diy audiophiles scour the USA for these, then restore them -- they're rugged, simple and killer sounding -- and have huge, heavy, quiet platters, and other special designs not seen in other makes (like the "quiet" smooth rocker switch, and reinforced platter structure). Well suited, and surprisingly compact for home use, when mounted to a plinth of your choice -- these are a dream to use -- they are frequently used with the now highly collectible Gray Research arms, among others.

Gates by far and wide outsold smaller competitors with their outstanding turntable design and construction -- this the result of by then nearly 40 years in the business. The CB 500 was one of their last big re-designs in the late 1950s, simpler and cleaner and  ruggedly overbuilt with a massive shaft and Chrysler bushing -- it was a huge sucess and produced for many years. Gates was known for excellent sound, easy to repair and service and heavy, high quality build.   

The claim-to-fame for Gates, especially the CB 500 -- was the good sound, and long, long life span...thanks to the huge shaft and a famous Chrysler oilite bushing (a special, type of expensive phosphor bronze not used in modern times)  -- the thick, platter weighs a whopping 8lbs! The weight and smooth, famed quite operation, thanks to the mass and oversize shaft / bearing.

 This good looking, complete turntable will make an excellent, quick, summer or fall project. It has had few extra holes, some were filled long ago, and one large correct cutout exists for the use of a 16" (or perhaps 12") home hifi use.. overall it presents really nicely (it was from a audio engineer's estate, who rsscued from an active broadcast service life)  The platter and overall table need lots of cleaning -- the paint is chiped in some areas, along with light oxidation that will come clean with polish and time. Thankfully the mechanicals and motor are also in nice shape, as you can see in (exhibit B). The motor mounts look OK, and rim drive rubber looks usable, though it  has wear and a tiny flat area, it should replaced for smoothest operation (exhibit B and H).

The motor runs and is smooth, and the bearing and shaft seem nice move in a  buttery, reassuring fashion. It will all be even better after minor adjustments and cleaning.  

Line cord and wiring are serviceble and original from 1960 -- it should be checke/ replaced for safety. 

Here is an example of of how nice these can be when restored... (this is *not* this table, this owner had restored and was sold off for top dollar years ago.. of course this one can be even better after your restoration and nicer looking in original grey !)


 

 

All-in-all, this is a real find... is the real McCoy, and you don't see these early 16" tables much... Clean it, oil it, install some new rubber, line cord, and add the arm... perhaps something else -- and you will have a solid, killer sounding and deluxe  turntable of a rare breed and bygone era.  Sounding as fine as many of the most expensive new types. Only really serious audiophiles set these up. Quite a bit of work, and well worth it. The effort shows and plays --  listeners leave not talking about your amp and speakers...but your turntable. They were expensive -- Gates built to a very high standard, solid as can be, using the best machining and bearings that 1950s USA could produce.

Once you see and hear one of these in action, you too will lust after the silky smooth, sprawling 16" platter spinning with authority...that's why they are so sought after. If you are looking for a cool winter project, and are in need of a real table built in USA, during the 40's and 50s -- this is the one -- Buy Now to avoid a bidder's war, will sell quickly.

The factory die cast top measures approx 21 1/4" x 21 1/4" x about 1 5/16" deep (not counting the motor of course, which adds another 4 7/8" -- all ready to fasten to your custom plinth or cabinet.

Packed weight will be about 40lbs. The best and safest shipping service

USPS EMS required to most countries. Certain countries require Global Express Guaranteed or FedEx, cost is higher (Russia and Vietnam will be around $280). Japan, China and most of Europe will be closer to $200 (please refer to shipping calculator above)

Will be carefully prepared, double boxed, platter removed and cushioned for proper, guaranteed safe delivery. Packed weight 40lbs. Shipping ASAP after payment received,see my 100% feedback. 

Description and Photos © 2015 HiFiTown

All vintage USA audio 1930s ~ 1980s

Save 37%

Gates CB 500 16" M5739 transcription turntable 3 speed from 1960

List price: $1,500.00
$950.00
You save: $550.00 (37%)
gatescb5005
Out-of-stock
Add to wish list
 

“ seldom seen Gates 16" transcription turntable, from an Audio Engineer's estate. It was retired working from a broadcast studio a many years ago. When plugged in, the motor scrambledhealithly to life and allowed effective shifting from 33, 45 to 78 rpm, needs adjustments and lubrication (see the table on and spinning in exhibits below).  It presents in person, though needs lots of restoration... may need a fresh idler wheel, although this one is working for now. The Gates CB 500 is a well known table and rubber parts are easy enough to fabricate or source. The frame, platter and chassis need some cleaning and refinishing. The shift control area is legible, with wear. The bottom rim of the chassis has old tar based rubber that will need to be cleaned off There are numerous blemishes, including some light oxidation and chipped, worn paint around the edges (see photo exhibits) There are also a few blemishes leftover from previous accesories and old holes that were filled many years ago for tonearms and arm rests. The platter is solid, it needs cosmetic restoration, cleaning, and a new mat.)”

Before quality audio recording tape became viable in the mid to late 1950s (Pioneered by Ampex, and media makers like Irish Audio tape) -- the way to record and especially playback audio with fidelity for broadcast was with the classic large 16" recording turntables. As the broadcast markets boomed in postwar america, these large tables, thanks to their superior durability, stability and quality, became the reproduction standard in station studios all over the world .. two companies especially dominated commercial, studio audio for radio stations and recording studios nationwide ... Gates Radio, of Quincy Illinois and to a lesser extent Collins Radio (who did not make tables themselves, selling others like Fairchild).

Over the course of nearly 40 years, Gates made and perfected some of the best transcription size tables the USA ever produced, out selling everybody else.  Right in the league with Fairchild, Rek-O-Cut, Presto, QRK and RCA...diy audiophiles scour the USA for these, then restore them -- they're rugged, simple and killer sounding -- and have huge, heavy, quiet platters, and other special designs not seen in other makes (like the "quiet" smooth rocker switch, and reinforced platter structure). Well suited, and surprisingly compact for home use, when mounted to a plinth of your choice -- these are a dream to use -- they are frequently used with the now highly collectible Gray Research arms, among others.

Gates by far and wide outsold smaller competitors with their outstanding turntable design and construction -- this the result of by then nearly 40 years in the business. The CB 500 was one of their last big re-designs in the late 1950s, simpler and cleaner and  ruggedly overbuilt with a massive shaft and Chrysler bushing -- it was a huge sucess and produced for many years. Gates was known for excellent sound, easy to repair and service and heavy, high quality build.   

The claim-to-fame for Gates, especially the CB 500 -- was the good sound, and long, long life span...thanks to the huge shaft and a famous Chrysler oilite bushing (a special, type of expensive phosphor bronze not used in modern times)  -- the thick, platter weighs a whopping 8lbs! The weight and smooth, famed quite operation, thanks to the mass and oversize shaft / bearing.

 This good looking, complete turntable will make an excellent, quick, summer or fall project. It has had few extra holes, some were filled long ago, and one large correct cutout exists for the use of a 16" (or perhaps 12") home hifi use.. overall it presents really nicely (it was from a audio engineer's estate, who rsscued from an active broadcast service life)  The platter and overall table need lots of cleaning -- the paint is chiped in some areas, along with light oxidation that will come clean with polish and time. Thankfully the mechanicals and motor are also in nice shape, as you can see in (exhibit B). The motor mounts look OK, and rim drive rubber looks usable, though it  has wear and a tiny flat area, it should replaced for smoothest operation (exhibit B and H).

The motor runs and is smooth, and the bearing and shaft seem nice move in a  buttery, reassuring fashion. It will all be even better after minor adjustments and cleaning.  

Line cord and wiring are serviceble and original from 1960 -- it should be checke/ replaced for safety. 

Here is an example of of how nice these can be when restored... (this is *not* this table, this owner had restored and was sold off for top dollar years ago.. of course this one can be even better after your restoration and nicer looking in original grey !)


 

 

All-in-all, this is a real find... is the real McCoy, and you don't see these early 16" tables much... Clean it, oil it, install some new rubber, line cord, and add the arm... perhaps something else -- and you will have a solid, killer sounding and deluxe  turntable of a rare breed and bygone era.  Sounding as fine as many of the most expensive new types. Only really serious audiophiles set these up. Quite a bit of work, and well worth it. The effort shows and plays --  listeners leave not talking about your amp and speakers...but your turntable. They were expensive -- Gates built to a very high standard, solid as can be, using the best machining and bearings that 1950s USA could produce.

Once you see and hear one of these in action, you too will lust after the silky smooth, sprawling 16" platter spinning with authority...that's why they are so sought after. If you are looking for a cool winter project, and are in need of a real table built in USA, during the 40's and 50s -- this is the one -- Buy Now to avoid a bidder's war, will sell quickly.

The factory die cast top measures approx 21 1/4" x 21 1/4" x about 1 5/16" deep (not counting the motor of course, which adds another 4 7/8" -- all ready to fasten to your custom plinth or cabinet.

Packed weight will be about 40lbs. The best and safest shipping service

USPS EMS required to most countries. Certain countries require Global Express Guaranteed or FedEx, cost is higher (Russia and Vietnam will be around $280). Japan, China and most of Europe will be closer to $200 (please refer to shipping calculator above)

Will be carefully prepared, double boxed, platter removed and cushioned for proper, guaranteed safe delivery. Packed weight 40lbs. Shipping ASAP after payment received,see my 100% feedback. 

Description and Photos © 2015 HiFiTown