In the UK we call these machines "Assembled" gramophones, simply because they were assembled from bought in components.drh wrote:I agree; it would be sad to cut up a machine that has lived this long.phonogfp wrote:I agree. There are certain off-brand machines I like very much such as Kammer & Reinhardt, Echophone, United States Talking Machine, Vitaphone, Star, Zonophone, Yankee Prince, Autophone, Talkophone, Duplex, Rectorphone, Brooks, Shell-O-Phone, etc.zenith82 wrote:I'd keep it intact.
There's a growing number of collectors who are taking interest in the so-called "off brands". I've personally never cared much for the term "off brand", as it tends to have a negative impression. Some off brand phonographs were very good quality in terms of cabinets and mechanics while others were cheaply made. Some collectors, myself included, tend to get bored with Victors, Columbias, and Edisons after a while.
The term "off brand" really shouldn't carry a negative connotation, but I'm open to an alternative word/phrase.
The inexpensive off brands of the teens and 20s are nice starting places for new collectors with limited budgets and lots of enthusiasm.
George P.
Rather than "off brand," how about something like "minor brand"? Or, taking a cue from the world of pianos, "stencil brand"?
The term is not a derogatory one. Even prestigious makers such as EMG and Expert used bought in motors.