Stuff you've been dying to thrift??

[goodaim]

I love looking for old childrens' books that I remember reading when I was a kid. I'm still on the lookout for a series written by Madye Lee Chastain that came out in the 1950's - pretty dated by now in some ways, but still fun reading. They're occasionally available through online used book dealers but seem to go for a ton of money (I think as high as $65.00/book sometimes!). I look at the kids' books section of every thrift store, used book sale and antique store I go to in the hopes of finding this series. I would be so thrilled if I did - especially at typicall thrift store prices! 

good aim

[Krisathome]

Anything 60's to 70's.  Pink things.   Dishes.  And vintage table cloths.

[valleythriftshopper]

Anything 60's to 70's.  Pink things.   Dishes.  And vintage table cloths.

Love all those things, though my favorite era is the depression era.  Good vintage tablecloths are hard to find.  I found a fun vintage printed tablecloth with fruit last summer & now I can't remember what I did with it, very frustrating! 

[Krisathome]

valleythriftshopper, hope you can find your tablecloth.  I do that all the time, misplace things, I mean.  Aggravating isn't it?

BTW, I use to find most of my vintage tablecloths at GW until recently.  They have rearranged things and I think it's easier for other people to find them now.  Good for them...bad for me.

[Big Daddy Audio]

I feel like an idiot listing all the stuff I look for, as I seem to do it a lot.

1) Any type of high quality audio gear - vintage or not.
2) High quality recordable cassettes (although, I now have so many that I might shift this to "Type IV - METAL" cassettes only)
3) High Quality bikes
4) Stafford Oxford cloth shirts (long sleeve or short sleeve)
5) Frank Zappa albums
6) Rotary Phones (although I have a couple, and they're fine - I still look)
7) Books from my childhood

As for the record players/turntables - when you find one (anyway you will, because I find them), make sure it works.  You don't want to get one that is only of mediocre build, only to find that the price you paid will increase by $75-150 due to required repairs.  Belts and cartridges are easily repaired or replaced, not so with motors and lifting mechanisms. 

As for phono pre-amps, this is one way to do it, but you'd be just as well off to find an amp or a receiver with a "phono" on the input switch (again, make sure it works).  If it says "phono," you're good to go, if it doesn't, then pass it up.  The suitcase type record players are notorious for gouging records.  Find a good table, and if in doubt, splurge for a new cartridge - your vinyl will thank you. 

If you are "hell bent for leather" to get a decent turntable (and those retro all-in-ones aren't, no offense intended), then check out a pro-music source - many of their turntables will be USB compatible and have a built-in pre-amp, negating the need for a vintage receiver or amp, and with a USB type turntable, you can connect it to your computer.  Stanton and Numark are decent brands, and some tables will have a "78" setting (for those that need it or want it), as well as a reverse (so you can finally hear exactly what's on Stairway to Heaven for yourself).  You'll pay more for added features, so be sure you want them.  THEN you can thrift vinyl to your hearts content, and you'll know you have a place to play those treasured finds. 
 
See you next time
bye for now.

       

[Jay2TheRescue]

I feel like an idiot listing all the stuff I look for, as I seem to do it a lot.

1) Any type of high quality audio gear - vintage or not.
2) High quality recordable cassettes (although, I now have so many that I might shift this to "Type IV - METAL" cassettes only)
3) High Quality bikes
4) Stafford Oxford cloth shirts (long sleeve or short sleeve)
5) Frank Zappa albums
6) Rotary Phones (although I have a couple, and they're fine - I still look)
7) Books from my childhood

As for the record players/turntables - when you find one (any you will, because I find them), make sure it works.  You don't want to get one that is only of mediocre build, only to find that the price you paid will increase by $75-150 due to required repairs.  Belts and cartriges are easily repaired or replaced, not so with motors and lifting mechanisms. 

As for phono pre-amps, this is one way to do it, but you'd be just as well off to find an amp or a receiver with a "phono" on the input switch (again, make sure it works).  If it says "phono," you're good to go, if it doesn't, then pass it up.  The suitcase type record players are notorious for gouging records.  Find a good table, and if in doubt, splurge for a new cartridge - your vinyl will thank you. 

If you are "hell bent for leather" to get a decent turntable (and those retro all-in-ones aren't, no offense intended), then check out a pro-music source - many of their turntables will be USB compatible and have a built-in pre-amp, negating the need for a vintage receiver or amp, and with a USB type turntable, you can connect it to your computer.  Stanton and Numark are decent brands, and some tables will have a "78" setting (for those that need it or want it), as well as a reverse (so you can finally hear exactly what's on Stairway to Heaven for yourself).  You'll pay more for added features, so be sure you want them.  THEN you can thrift vinyl to your hearts content, and you'll know you have a place to play those treasured finds. 
 
See you next time
bye for now.

       

When I was about 10 I took apart an old cassette player and put it back togeather with the heads in backwards so it read the opposite side of the tape so I could hear stuff backwards. 

-Jay

[Mattie]

I feel guilty because I have some of the stuff that folks want - a rotary phone, a pink pyrex gooseberry bowl, a record player...  Well, the record player is actually a big early-'70s Magnavox console stereo.  I rarely play it because it makes a grinding sound.  It probably needs a new belt but I'm afraid to take it apart because I have a habit of taking things apart and not knowing how to put them back together.

The stuff I hope to find includes Heywood-Wakefield (dream on, I know), an inexpensive working treadle sewing machine, and a suitcase stuffed to the gills with antique photos and priced at $1 for the whole thing (dream on again...).

[valleythriftshopper]

*cameras (esp. polaroids), but I'm hoping to find a Lomo camera one day.

You should check out your local freecycle (freecycle.org).  I have been seeing alot of polaroids offered up for free lately.

[dukek9]

Old Magazines!!! Okay i'm not talking like two years ago -- I want like 80's or earlier (I guess early 90's would be cool too). And I don't want time or national geographic -- I want woman's magz, good housekeeping, vogue, and the like. Totally impossible to find.
I want them for altered fun, collages ect.
I think they just throw them out if they get them >_< which kills me.
So far i haven't found one.

I think they do probably throw them out if they do get them.  You should talk to managers at your favorite thrifts and express your interest and they may be very happy to find someone to give them to, rahter than tossing them.

Also keep in mind other sources, such as book sales, where people often donate stuff like magazines.

Also, if you haven't already, join freecycle and put out a wanted ad for the old magazines.  You may find someone has some sitting in attic or garage that they have been wantign to get rid of.

The places i have seen magazines in the age range you would like is at estate sales and they almost always are priced way too high.  But I think a cruise by on the last day of the sale with an offer of a price that you will pay for the remaining magazines (which are apt to be the majority of them due to the high prices individually) might get you some at a good price.

Good luck with this.  I love it when people use things that would otherwise be discarded or deemed worthless.

Dee

[Jay2TheRescue]

I feel guilty because I have some of the stuff that folks want - a rotary phone, a pink pyrex gooseberry bowl, a record player...  Well, the record player is actually a big early-'70s Magnavox console stereo.  I rarely play it because it makes a grinding sound.  It probably needs a new belt but I'm afraid to take it apart because I have a habit of taking things apart and not knowing how to put them back together.

The stuff I hope to find includes Heywood-Wakefield (dream on, I know), an inexpensive working treadle sewing machine, and a suitcase stuffed to the gills with antique photos and priced at $1 for the whole thing (dream on again...).

You missed one a while back...  I had a 50's era Singer treddle that nobody wanted because apparently, it wasn't old enough.  I ended up selling it for $40 I think.

-Jay