Stumptown Traders: 1966 Voice of Music Model 362 Three Piece Phonograph or: "Whatever happened to West Michigan manufacturing?"

Made very close to my home town in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the Voice of Music company started making phonographs in 1944. Not exactly an opportune time to start a new manufacturing company given the United States was heavily involved in WW2. But V-M kept plugging along, and became a stereo producing juggernaut throughout the fifties an into the mid-60s.

In the late 60s and early 70s, when all the other major electronics manufacturers were shifting their production over seas, Voice of Music refused, keeping all of their production in Benton Harbor, which ultimately led to their demise. The company finally came to an end in 1977 when a power failure in New York City prevented a wire transfer of critically needed funds, and the company declared bankruptcy.

If you're interested in restoring one of these, or the history of the company, everything you need can be found here.

The Voice of Music Model 362 pictured below was in production in 1966 when V-M was at the top of their game. A true testament to the quality and craftsmanship of American manufacturing, this stereo still functions nearly fifty years later. The sound is amazing an loud. This three-piece system was well worth the $5.00 we spent for it, and it looks as though it's taken up permanent residence in our living room.