Standard Talking Machine / Eagle - what do you think ?

[Calle]

I can buy this phonograph but I'm not if I should buy it...









First of all it has a Victor horn; I do think it's not original.
The soundbox looks also too shiny/new ? to me;
The phonographe says "Eagle" which isn't true in my opinion...
The seller is aking about $ 650 for it.

What do you think... Thanks already for your information !

[Victrolaboy]

This machine has the larger ½" spindle for playing the special standard talking nachine records. I don't think you would ever be happy with the machine since you can't play regular 78rpm records on it unless you had a lathe or could find a machinist who could turn down the spindle to ¼". There is a reproduction turntable that is made to convert the machine to play regular 78s without doing any harm to the phonograph and it is sold on eBay here: http://m.ebay.com/itm/221563099598?_mwBanner=1 And as for the reproducer, it coud be a reproduction but that's still the correct type that was used in this model. The reproducer was made by the Columbia Phonograph co. and the standard talking machine was one of Columbia's "client brand" phonographs.

[tinovanderzwan]

the horn is a victor the reproducer is a repro columbia longneck the standard type spindel we see isn't its a sleeve over a regular spindle and.. its actually resting on the record the front mount brackett is on the wrong side of the machine it should be above the id plate where we actually see the 2 holes for it

650,-!! never! i'm even wondering if the right motor is in there the motor board is fixed to the case with screws and that shouldn't be you should be able to open it

my hunch is that this is a elaborate frankenphone and not worth 650,-


tino

[Lucius1958]

the horn is a victor the reproducer is a repro columbia longneck the standard type spindel we see isn't its a sleeve over a regular spindle and.. its actually resting on the record the front mount brackett is on the wrong side of the machine it should be above the id plate where we actually see the 2 holes for it

650,-!! never! i'm even wondering if the right motor is in there the motor board is fixed to the case with screws and that shouldn't be you should be able to open it

my hunch is that this is a elaborate frankenphone and not worth 650,-


tino

I'm curious as to how you can tell that the spindle is a sleeve (as I am not able to zoom in on the photos): if the machine is indeed a Standard (model X or X2 by the look of it), someone might have drilled out the center holes of conventional 78s to fit it.

If the filled-in holes on the side of the cabinet are any indication, either the motor must have been moved 90 degrees (in which case, there should be a filled-in crank hole on the front; or else it was a rear-wind machine (does anyone know of rear-winds with an off center crank?)

As for the motor board: many of the cheaper 'client' Columbia machines had the screwed-down motor board.

Still, without the proper horn and elbow, and without any photos of the motor, I would agree with the general opinion: this machine is not to be trusted.

Bill

[JerryVan]

Stay away from that one. Just a collection of parts from multiple makes.

[Uncle Vanya]

The Standard X was a Columbia product. Columbia acquired the "Eagle" trademark in the bankruptcy judgement against the Talk-O-Phone company. I've seen another Columbia-Eagle hybrid. The reproduction reproducer is the correct model for this machine. The horn should be the petal horn as used on the Standard X-2, which is easy to come by. The crank, crank position and speed control suggest that the correct motor is present. Note that this motor mounts to the bottom of the cabinet. There should be no motor screws piercing the motor board, which is held in place with wood screws on is model. The lid is NOT hinged.

I would think that the oversized Monarch (actually a Monarch Special) horn and elbow would be worth a good $300-350, possibly more, to someone who is completing or upgrading a machine. If you can get this machine for $550 or less I think that it would end up being a good value, for the correct horn should not cost more than about $125. The Standard X-2 is a surprisingly good player when the spring is strong, and that a Victor "front mount" horn is a pretty desirable catch.

My attitude may be affected by the price that I received for a decent Standard X-2 at the November 2012 Stanton's auction ($550) and the price that zi would be willing to pay for that horn for the MS that I'm trying to complete.

[stevel]

I like it , I'd pay $650 for it.
Steve

[daverob]

Ebay standard machine prices are lower, but no eagles were recently sold (which means it is probably more desirable cuz it can be displayed next to the x, but is more rare). Considering the value of the Victor parts, and the cheapness of "parts machines" on eBay that could probably correctly reset the rest of the machine to factory settings, if u like it go for it. It kinda depends on whether u want to collect ALL phonographs, or just want a few u love, and u love it. Not sure it's a very good deal otherwise.

[jboger]

Pretty sure the top oak board--the motor board--is not original to the base. I don't know the machine, but judging it as furniture, you see how the end grain of the board shows through? I'd say this board was cut down from a larger board and the motor mounted to it. If original, I suspect the end grain would be covered by a piece of molding that would run around the perimeter. If not that, then finished off in some other way rather than just squared off as it is. To my eye, doesn't look right. I also suspect when that motorboard was made, the entire piece was refinished so color would match. Nice job, but that's what I think it is.

[alang]

Actually the low cost Standard Talking Machines and similar had motor boards just like that, straight cut, no molding. Looks original to me.

Andreas