The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

bigshot wrote:I'm different than most phonograph fans. I got into it specifically to hear the music the way it was supposed to be presented. I find that the quality of music on 78s is better than Edison, so I've never gotten a diamond disc or cylinder machine. I have one machine for acoustic 78s and one for electrical and I'm happy with that. But I have thousands of records, and whenever I see good ones at the junk shop, I pick them up. That will likely never stop.

Do you mean the sound quality, or the music itself? There's still some good stuff to be found on cylinders and DDs, if you look for it. As for sound quality, the Diamond Discs were just about the pinnacle of acoustic recording.

Bill

Music, not sound. Caruso, Stokowski, proto jazz. There's good stuff on Edison, but it's a tiny sliver of time and a narrower range of styles. There's much more great music on 78s.

bigshot wrote:Music, not sound. Caruso, Stokowski, proto jazz. There's good stuff on Edison, but it's a tiny sliver of time and a narrower range of styles. There's much more great music on 78s.

I totally agree! Most of the later BAs worth listening to (for me personally) can also be found on Diamond Disc so that's why I kept my C-19. Plus, with a Kent Adapter and a Meltrope reproducer, that machine sounds amazing playing standard 78s.

I'm only 29, started collecting at 17...and my interest has always been more on the cylinder side of things. Then a few years ago I expanded into DD, but until now my focus has been machines. (Getting my Opera after Jan 1st!!! ) Now I have started to expand my collection of cylinders and records...as I have a bunch of nice machines but not as many quality cylinders. I very much enjoy listening to these old cylinders...sometimes I wish I could download good versions on my phone to listen to when on the road. Some friends think its strange...but there's just something about the simplicity of the time, and the wholesomeness of the subject matter...my son and family can have a blast picking out records and playing them. Its something I hope he remembers and appreciates when hes older; and hopefully he does with his kids.

One thing that has always kept me from getting more into 78rpm is the availability of quality machines locally, and the confusion I seem to have between what records are good to play on what machines...I just cant tell the difference most of the time...but that's mostly just ignorance of that part of the hobby. Perhaps soon ill get myself a nice upright Victor to start myself off...but id like to get some more good cylinders and DD's...and a nice new cabinet to store them in!

I really want to get with some school or museum around here and do demos...I just don't know how to get started...or even what to talk about. I think younger kids and people would find this stuff fascinating...as around here most didn't survive the years due to hurricanes, humidity, etc...so when someone new comes over its always an hour or so discussing things they have never seen...which I love doing

EdisonWizard wrote: I really want to get with some school or museum around here and do demos...I just don't know how to get started...or even what to talk about.

The Antique Phonograph Society is currently developing a "program in a box" for members and nonmembers alike to accomplish this. Included will be a simple outline of what to cover, suggested monologue, and suggested types of 2 or 3 machines (lightweight and easily portable). Look for it on the web site later in 2018.

George P.

Wizzard,

Its nice that your exploring old music and records with an open mind. That is exactly how I ended up enjoying Opera and Classical pieces. Trying things I had never heard of and having an open mind about it. I alway remember the first booklet I got with a console Victor when I worked right out of high school. It mentioned that while a popular ditty was fun, a classical record will last forever as far as quality of music is concerned. As to getting others to enjoy the victrola or edison, that I have often tired but most people simply don't get it and a few times I read on here that after 30 seconds most friends have heard enough so you may as well stop the machine. I find usually that is true and even those who proclaim how interesting usually would never try it again. It seems to take a certain person to have devotion to early recordings.

Larry

George, I had someone tell me this earlier in the year but I wasn't sure about the timeframe so I been checking the site. Good to know!! Can't wait to see it. I'll definitely use it and give y'all feedback on how it goes if y'all like.

Larry- I recently have gotten into operas myself!! Haven't found any cylinders but I don't know of many, just Magic Flute and Marriage of Figaro...basically because of the famous arias..but it opened the door for me. Wish I could find a cylinder of the queen of night aria! Not sure if the reproducer could handle the F lol.

But honestly, I have found the same to be true. Only person that has cemented interest after seeing mine is my cousin/Godfather, who now owns a nice ICS machine, with an original cygnet I sold him.

The most famous acoustic recording of the Queen of the Night aria was made by Frieda Hempel for HMV/Victor, although I prefer Maria Ivogun on Odeon. Hempel also recorded for Edison, notably on Royal Purple cylinders, but unfortunately she did not include that aria.

There are a few operatic gems among the Blue Amberols and Royal Purples, but the majority of the top singers were already under exclusive contract to HMV and Victor. Even Columbia struggled to compete until they did a deal with Fonotipia, enabling them to issue some of their superb recordings.

I have been interested in this stuff since I was 16 (52 yrs ago) and my interest has not been waning, just more focused. I am probably peculiar in the sense that I love to hunt for good items, but after finding them I like to find a good home for some of them where they will be appreciated. I realize that I cannot keep everything and take them with me, so I feel somewhat responsible to find them a place where they will be cared for. Some of my best finds have been in the past couple of years and I have had my share of "Holy Grail" type finds, so I am content with keeping a few and letting the rest go even though I miss them. I'm being very selective about records, since titles and artists can be misleading... I will never buy a good record without listening to it first, either in person or an MP3 on the internet, since records can get overwhelming in a short time. New collectors should consider listening to a number of recordings on YouTube to determine what they like before getting buried in tons of shellac...

Curt A wrote:I have been interested in this stuff since I was 16 (52 yrs ago) and my interest has not been waning, just more focused. I am probably peculiar in the sense that I love to hunt for good items, but after finding them I like to find a good home for some of them where they will be appreciated. I realize that I cannot keep everything and take them with me, so I feel somewhat responsible to find them a place where they will be cared for. Some of my best finds have been in the past couple of years and I have had my share of "Holy Grail" type finds, so I am content with keeping a few and letting the rest go even though I miss them. I'm being very selective about records, since titles and artists can be misleading... I will never buy a good record without listening to it first, either in person or an MP3 on the internet, since records can get overwhelming in a short time. New collectors should consider listening to a number of recordings on YouTube to determine what they like before getting buried in tons of shellac...

You are not alone. I started at age 10 (60 years ago) and although my collection is pretty much full I cannot resist rescuing waifs and strays. If I see a machine in my local auction room looking down on it's luck I will often buy it if the price is right, just for the pleasure of restoring it to good order. It is very satisfying to hear a machine play for what is probably the first time in decades.

Of course I cannot keep them all, so the portables being easy to post usually sell on eBay and the larger machines in specialist auctions or to other collectors by word of mouth.

My family say that I run a re-homing service for gramophones in distress .