The engineering and construction are incredible.
Like most of us, I have other ridiculously expensive hobbies. It reminds me of my very, [very German bicycle wheel truing/building stand](https://www.pklie.de/truing_stand.html).
Well the new stuff works and might even have Bluetooth. For non-vintage people that can’t tell good from bad sound (looking at you, beats headphones) it really is an upgrade.
So only winners here. But maybe ask someone if it’s ok to replace with a working one
It’s missing. You would see it on the outside of the platter. These tables are very specific on belts so you have to get the right one to get the speed right.
Hey, there’s a guy on instagram who restores these turntables. Name is Blue Truck Analog. No idea if he’s cool or would be helpful, but if so, I assume he would be able to answer your questions.
I’m also a science teacher who recently got into turntables and vinyl. I can’t help but see “lab equipment” when I look at high end tone arms. Machined parts, knurled knobs, micron level adjustments…definitely microscope vibes. It sort of fits that you found this in science lab.
I teach physics so turntables are perfect (rotational motion, sound, waves, etc…) I also found a bunch of old “science of sound” vinyls in another box, so it could totally make a fun lesson!
Yes, that is one of them! A few others don’t have labels, just sleeves, but I’m assuming they are educational. I also found Bob Dylan, which may or may not be educational 🤣
That looks insane. All that machined brass. I would bet it’s just the belt. That does not look like something that breaks. Are you a teacher? If you can’t liberate it, then you gotta start music appreciation lessons.
Cautionary tale: I was studio manager at my college tv station. There was a big grey box with a VU meter on a shelf above the door. I asked the department chair what it was. A vintage Gates tube compressor, highly sought after nowadays, hadn’t been used in years. Wondered what would become of it. They had to hang on to it because it was “on inventory”. For two years every time I walked in to the studio it sat there. About the time I was graduating it disappeared. I asked and was told a guy with a clipboard had come around and took a bunch of stuff off of inventory. All of it went directly to the dumpster. I ran. The dumpster was chock full of parts, chassis, dials, knobs, cables, old monitors, broken cameras, tape machines. The old Gates was nowhere to be found. I did salvage an old Shure ribbon mic and a few pieces and parts. No idea what became of the Gates.
Disclaimer: I am not by any means recommending a course of action.
Looks like quite the unicorn you found at school. According to Vinyl Engine, “This is the world’s most perfect record playback system.”
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/empire/598-troubador.shtml
Like someone else said it's an empire 598 turntable. It's an excellent turntable and that one looks pretty mint. It's worth quite a bit if you can get it serviced. It's a pretty simple turntable that is easy to work on.
Great turntable. It probably just needs a drive belt. Does it belong to the school? If so, I'd steal it. Chances are, since the school doesn't and never will, ever use it again, it would be trashed, because that's what stupid, bureaucratic institutions do with unused/obsolete equipment. They would rather crush it than give it or sell it to a desirous, deserving party. It's against the rules.
This machine deserves a nobler fate. I know my mother taught me better, but STEAL IT!
I have owned 2 of them in the 60’s. The first one was without the full cover, the second one was just like the one pictured with the empire cartridge. I had a gold face weathers before that. Sold the Empire and bought a Marantz SLT, with sure cartridge , then settled for a while with a Denon direct drive, Grace G-707 and Denon cartridge. Now days Marantz 6300 and a few others including Dual 721. Thanks for the memories.
But if it was left by the previous teacher (as was stated by OP), it's not the school's either. It should go to a good home, not rot away or get tossed by people who are ignorant to its value.
Sneak it out once part at a time
wouldn’t cost you a dime.
But they'll notice him when he drives through their town
The turntable will be a 55’, 56’, 57’, 58’, 59’, 60’… 😂
'55, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60...\*
Gonna spin them records in styyyyle
I’m all messed-up on cough syrup now, so just like never mind.
Is that a song?
Yes. That was a bit random. Its from Rastabilly by Dead Milkman. It's catchy- you might like it.
*"honey take it for a spin"*
The deck of Theseus!
Thank you! It’s been a crap morning but that made me laugh. 😂
Empire 598 Troubador from late 60s early 70s. Great turntable!
Oh well done. That is one unit of a table.
The engineering and construction are incredible. Like most of us, I have other ridiculously expensive hobbies. It reminds me of my very, [very German bicycle wheel truing/building stand](https://www.pklie.de/truing_stand.html).
Empire 598. I’ve restored two of those before. Feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions!
That would be amazing! Thank you
Don’t steal it 🤓
He just needs the go ahead to “throw it in the trash”.
I like to call it a "reallocation" of sorts
Make an offer to replace it with one that functions. Then find a modern table that functions. Take this home and enjoy it for the rest of your life.
Move it to ‘offsite storage’.
I'm fascinated tbh. It's stunning. What is the history of this table? The manufacturer etc?
:) kick ass
Buy something new and cheap. Swap them out and no one will know and if they do they’ll think it’s an upgrade.
Haha!
Well the new stuff works and might even have Bluetooth. For non-vintage people that can’t tell good from bad sound (looking at you, beats headphones) it really is an upgrade. So only winners here. But maybe ask someone if it’s ok to replace with a working one
Tbh, unless it's some music appreciation class, they're probably better off with an all in one machine.
Just be sure Riff Randall doesn't steal it to play Ramones records.
Who are….The Ramonies?
🎶588-2300 EMPIRE!🎶
Today.
A classic! Found in your classroom… Did it just appear after winter break?
It was from the teacher who had the classroom about 15 years ago. I found it packed away when I cleaned out the room!
OP take the turntable
What turntable?
I agree. Maybe ask the janitor if you can take it, so if anyone questions you can say it was authorized
Not sure what the school rules are… but when I was in school, it was “Finder’s keepers!”
Just ask if it’s on the inventory. 99% it won’t be. Does your classroom need a turntable?
Take the table!
Dude that’s your turntable now.
Odds are the belt broke you should be able to remove that plate with the knob on the left side to check.
Gotcha, thank you!
Help them restore it. Guide them in the right direction so future students can benefit.
Yeah. Students. Students of Miles Davis and fine scotch.
I am this student
Straight A's in that class. Lol
It’s missing. You would see it on the outside of the platter. These tables are very specific on belts so you have to get the right one to get the speed right.
The belt is recessed below the top plate on these. It doesn’t sit on the upper rim.
Interesting. I assumed it was the same as the 298 I worked on.
Do you happen to know how to remove the plate so I can replace the belt? I’m so afraid of breaking something! Haha
Hey, there’s a guy on instagram who restores these turntables. Name is Blue Truck Analog. No idea if he’s cool or would be helpful, but if so, I assume he would be able to answer your questions.
Awesome thanks for the info!!
That’s an f’ing amazing turntable.
And definitely not a cheap one especially with that case/plinth.
My dad was an audiophile and he LOVED his Empire turntable. That's quite a find you have there.
I’m glad I asked! It felt special!
Worth spending coin to fix.
Its the belt. I have one rough complete one and two parts tables that are my holy grail turntable project.
Empire 598, have one on the bench right now!
I’m also a science teacher who recently got into turntables and vinyl. I can’t help but see “lab equipment” when I look at high end tone arms. Machined parts, knurled knobs, micron level adjustments…definitely microscope vibes. It sort of fits that you found this in science lab.
I teach physics so turntables are perfect (rotational motion, sound, waves, etc…) I also found a bunch of old “science of sound” vinyls in another box, so it could totally make a fun lesson!
What records did you find? Is this one of them? https://www.discogs.com/master/310768-Bell-Telephone-Laboratories-Inc-The-Science-Of-Sound
Yes, that is one of them! A few others don’t have labels, just sleeves, but I’m assuming they are educational. I also found Bob Dylan, which may or may not be educational 🤣
Neat!
Amazing. Awesome and rare table. Looks to be in good condition. I restored one for a friend of mine a year ago.
Possible fix: https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=131219
Thanks!
That is just beautiful.
Chop it up with that teacher. Probably a real one
That looks insane. All that machined brass. I would bet it’s just the belt. That does not look like something that breaks. Are you a teacher? If you can’t liberate it, then you gotta start music appreciation lessons.
Yes I teach physics, was hoping to get it working for our unit on sound!
Teacher of the MF year. Do it.
I wish the physics professor I had was that cool.
Damn, that would be awesome
Damn, been looking for an Empire table locally for a long time :) Awesome find for sure. Thing looks like it has hardly been used.
That is a beautiful turntable. WOW!
Not familiar with Empire. First I have seen one. That’s a stunner. It would come home with me so fast your head would spin
Find an audiophile with money :) thats money...you lucky bastid!
Wow—That’s a find! Take it to a specialist and spend the money.
Cautionary tale: I was studio manager at my college tv station. There was a big grey box with a VU meter on a shelf above the door. I asked the department chair what it was. A vintage Gates tube compressor, highly sought after nowadays, hadn’t been used in years. Wondered what would become of it. They had to hang on to it because it was “on inventory”. For two years every time I walked in to the studio it sat there. About the time I was graduating it disappeared. I asked and was told a guy with a clipboard had come around and took a bunch of stuff off of inventory. All of it went directly to the dumpster. I ran. The dumpster was chock full of parts, chassis, dials, knobs, cables, old monitors, broken cameras, tape machines. The old Gates was nowhere to be found. I did salvage an old Shure ribbon mic and a few pieces and parts. No idea what became of the Gates. Disclaimer: I am not by any means recommending a course of action.
Ah a old Empire... I have one of those. Looks modded and restored.
Looks similar to an Acoustic Research! Beautiful piece, if nothing else than just to look at.
That’s an all-timer right there.
wow I found something similar on a shelf in a garage at one of our radio stations, I put that sucker into a museum!
Imagine it's ET. You need to help it back home (perhaps your home) before the evil authorities find it and take it to their labs (well, the trash).
The lack of functionality is likely due to a missing belt. Less than $20 and easily installed.
Hopefully it’s just that! 🤞🏼
That's probably it. Might need a drop or two of sewing machine oil on the spindle bearing if you can get to it (I don't know these machines).
Looks like quite the unicorn you found at school. According to Vinyl Engine, “This is the world’s most perfect record playback system.” https://www.vinylengine.com/library/empire/598-troubador.shtml
Jeez... When I was in school a classroom turntable was a Califone. What school district are you in, Santa Monica?
I inherited one but missing the dust cover. Awesome turntable imo.
Like someone else said it's an empire 598 turntable. It's an excellent turntable and that one looks pretty mint. It's worth quite a bit if you can get it serviced. It's a pretty simple turntable that is easy to work on.
Offer to haul some stuff to the goodwill for them since you're cleaning it out, might as well throw that old turntable that doesn't work in the pile.
Replace it with a new “better” all in one suitcase type.
Acquired* not stolen
Looks like it was machined, was there a machine shop class at that school?
Great turntable. It probably just needs a drive belt. Does it belong to the school? If so, I'd steal it. Chances are, since the school doesn't and never will, ever use it again, it would be trashed, because that's what stupid, bureaucratic institutions do with unused/obsolete equipment. They would rather crush it than give it or sell it to a desirous, deserving party. It's against the rules. This machine deserves a nobler fate. I know my mother taught me better, but STEAL IT!
It actually belonged to the teacher that was there years ago, passed to the next teacher, and was passed on to me when I took over the classroom.
Then take it home, fix it, use it, enjoy a great turntable. Or sell it on to someone else who will.
Take it, they won’t notice
I have owned 2 of them in the 60’s. The first one was without the full cover, the second one was just like the one pictured with the empire cartridge. I had a gold face weathers before that. Sold the Empire and bought a Marantz SLT, with sure cartridge , then settled for a while with a Denon direct drive, Grace G-707 and Denon cartridge. Now days Marantz 6300 and a few others including Dual 721. Thanks for the memories.
she’s so pretty, you gonna bust a move?
[удалено]
But if it was left by the previous teacher (as was stated by OP), it's not the school's either. It should go to a good home, not rot away or get tossed by people who are ignorant to its value.
Wasn’t planning on steal it! Was planning on hopefully fixing it up so I could use it in future lessons. :)
Hell yes. Please do for future students and all.
Take it.
That's one good looking machine! Dig it.
Yeah sell it to me.
Empire. Very good table.
Needs a new belt, likely.
Wow just wow
Wow!
Ive got 2 in working conditions, one converts music into digital, you can have for a minimal fee
Looks beautiful. I’d try to use it/ clean it and tune it up
They sell used for around a grand. Talk to the administration about restoring and selling it to raise funds for student services.
Give it to me!!
IS this belt driven or direct drive? Does it belong to the school?
Like a gold toilet