Excellent condition, really, for its age. As far as I can tell, it works properly, with two rotor speeds. Belt appears in good condition. Cabinet shows wear on corners and has tolex abrasions, but no tears or missing chunks. The worst thing is that the grillecloth (originally tan in color) has apparently been painted, as has at least part of the back panel. You could fix that.
Note that there is NO BUILT-IN AMP. There's a power cord for the motor and a speaker lead. You plug the speaker into the output of any amp - and you have yourself not the analog-simulated or digitally modeled sound of a rotating speaker, but a real rotating speaker.
It's only an 8" speaker, and it's not a heavy beast of a thing. On the negative side, there's not a lot of low end and it overdrives easily. On the positive side, it rolls off muddy low end and overdrives easily.
It works smoothly and sounds fabulous. _____
I'm particular about rotating-speaker sounds from pedals, programs, or modelers. They don't have to sound REAL for me to find them useful, but I do know when I'm hearing a good one. (I spent too much time around real Leslies not to.) And there are some very good ones out there. It's so convenient to have Leslie in a pedal or under some parameters on a screen - and you can do things with rotor and ramp speeds, horn-woofer balance, and EQ that you could never do with a real one. I use simulations all the time, and I dig'em.
And still. None of them really create what you hear in a room with a real rotating speaker. By comparison, they sound like great recordings of a rotating speaker - and that's as good as they get. There's still something that happens in the air and around your ears with a live Leslie that just can't be captured, either in a recording or in a pedal or program. The fullest dimension of the magic, the languid liquid rolling throbbing turmoil of complex soundwaves dancing, is reserved for those in the presence of the actual thing.
And this is the mini-version, no doubt, with just one speaker. (You could upgrade it.) But it's still the real thing. _____
I'm not deep in the history of the Cordovox; I know it came from Chicago, understand that it shared not only technology but a business relationship with the big Leslie cabs. This one was originally marketed by the Cordovox accordion company (and I swear I'd pay to hear an accordion through it). I believe it shares its internal design with the Fender Vibratone (which is much better looking).
I know nothing of the history of this one prior to my purchasing it in a music store closeout in Indiana 7 or 8 years ago. I've used it lovingly for both guitar and keyboards.
Now, because I'm out of room and suffering the process of gradual virtualization of everything mechanical and analog I once knew and loved, the Cordovox must find a new home. Maybe it will be yours. _____
It's 21.5" high and wide, 14.5" deep, and weighs 50 lbs. Fits great under a combo amp. It'll be pricey to ship; estimates in the listing are a guess.
