Empire 698 Vintage Turntable

Classic Empire turntable. This particular table offers considerable potential, but is in need of restoration.

Upside:
Motor working and quiet.
Platter spins at speed, smooth and quiet.
Tonearm action free and smooth.
Continuity of signal from stylus to rca connectors. (The included Grado cartridge has a broken stylus. However, we were able to brush the cantilever stub and establish signal in both right and left channels. Please note that the headshell/armtube interface is fragile on these tables, so we did not remove the headshell for any purpose.)
Cueing and tonearm support lights working.

Downside:
Metallic plinth finish shows significant tarnish/wear.
Wooden base shows light wear, including sight separation of veneer.
No lid.
Cueing controls do not work. (Common in this model).
Rubber mat does not lay flat when fitted. (We warmed the mat and it lay flat, but when cooled it retuned to non-flat condition.)
One small rubber foot missing.

There may be aesthetic or mechanical issues we have not noticed or have failed to describe. Please ask questions and/or examine pictures closely. They are part of our description. Our rating reflects our desire to deter potential buyers who have little or no experience restoring turntables and/or don't read item descriptions before buying.

I will not part out this turntable, please do not ask.