Fear of losing interest and need Help?

[SonnyPhono]

Aaron, I know exactly how you feel. I was never really searching for a good hobby, but always had new ones. Once they lost luster, I would get the feeling you described. It was like I wanted to like the hobby or maybe I was just holding on to something that I felt invested in both with money and with time.

I won't tell you to drop the hobby or to keep it going. That's in your hands. But I will tell you that if you do continue with this hobby, try to set a small short term goal. For example, try to find a phonograph that you would like for your collection by say, February. In the meantime, let go of some of the records or things that have become monotonous in your collection in order to finance the machine you are looking for. I know it sounds elementary, but it may spark the fun or amusement you are looking for within the hobby and will put you back on track. It makes it a little more fun to work for something and is, of course, much more rewarding in the end.

Anyway, that's my two cents!

[USlakeside]

I practically forgot the hobby while in college because I was working on so many things unrelated to phonographs. I would visit home over the holidays and some years not even look at the machines but sometimes I would get that spark to crank up a machine. Maybe putting the collection away for a while could help you clear your mind. Youll be happy to pull it out on some rainy day down the road. In the meantime take up whatever feels right.

[Edisonfan]

Thanks for all of the great replies. Your absolutely right shane. I really do need a break. I had become so foucused on just the hobby, and wanting to find something. That I was actually becoming frustrated, and that led too the loss of interest.

So today, my paernts and I went antqueing in Hanover PA, and we had a good day. I bought some die cast cars. Two still in their orginal packages. A Crown Racing Team car, and a Country Time Racing Team car. Plus a Matchbox Federal Express truck. Before it became FedEx. A Pac Man Glass bottle, and a Yamaha PSS-130 home keyboard with orginal Box. Helped my father find some stuff for our shop. I did find some records, but none that I wanted to buy. Actually, I was not looking for anything phonograph related, today. That's probably why I found the stuff I did buy. I guess it makes sense. If you don't foucs on just one thing. You feel better. Well, at least I did. Finding, and buying things from the 1980's helped. Because, they were a part of my life at one time. Or something I remebered from my childhood.

So in a away, buy not looking for another record, or phonograh related item, or saying, I never find anything. I did! Letting my mind go, and just browseing and pokeing, and looking at items, that were of interest to me. Did me a world of good. So takeing a break helped.

[WDC]

My only pause was during school time and that was before I was aware of all the communities. I didn't even know a single collector then. Since then I have never found myself exposed to the lack of interest. What does happen is a focus shift from time to time which has gladly enriched my knowledge.

But I do absolutely agree with the general advice not to force yourself into this hobby. Give it a rest if you want to and after some months or even few years you will likely be able to answer yourself the question whether to go on or leave it. What only counts is that you feel comfortable with your decision. With both ways, there's nothing wrong with it.

[Andersun]

I have lost and gained interest in phonographs several times in my life. If you decide to leave the phono world, keep some of your favorite machines. You will be glad you have them when your interest comes back.

[Edisonfan]

I have invested too much time and money, in these machines. That I would never consider selling them off. They are after all still a part of me. I know at some point I will go back to them. I just need to do something else. I will however continue to maintain my machines. To keep them in working order.

[JohnM]

Finding, and buying things from the 1980's helped. Because, they were a part of my life at one time. Or something I remebered from my childhood.

Part of the decline of the general antiques business today according to many of my dealer friends, is that the majority of casual antiques buyers today could care less about the historical value of items, and more about the nostalgia value of what they had as a kid. These items are technically speaking, 'collectibles', not 'antiques', although the terms are certainly muddied today. I remember 40 years ago, the line of demarcation of what could be sold as an 'antique' and what could not was very firmly drawn by the '100-years old' rule in the US Tax code: an 'antique' had to be demonstrably 100-years old -- and dealers toed that line! Phonographs used to be cheap to buy and relatively unpopular as collectors items because because besides being more plentiful then, none of them -- not even Edison's first tin foil -- were 100 years old (until 1977, anyway): not 'true antiques'!

[Steve]

Over here the antiques business in general is taking a huge hit at the present time. Yesterday we went out on a rare antique (junk) shop run but it was cut short by the fact that 3 places we used to visit have now closed and the buildings are being turned into yet more 'luxury apartments'.

I think the younger generations are turned off collecting anything these days as it's associated with grey haired people who buy dusty old rubbish! It's not fashionable, chic or 'modern' to be thinking of old technology or domestic furniture. I think it's a bit sad actually but probably inevitable.

To boost the prospects for the trade in general, we need some young 'trendy' TV celebrities to state that they like X and collect Y etc. Then all the kids will want the stuff again to try and emulate their TV heroes. I don't know about the US but over here we seem to be 'ruled' by celebrity (air heads).

[SonnyPhono]

I agree. The upcoming young adults of today aren't interested in collecting antiques. I think that stems mostly from the disposable products that have replaced quality from the past. Take a simple but efficient Edison Standard phonograph. It was built to last and built with integrity. The machines I have now will probably outlive my Grandchildren. The problem is everything built nowadays is built to be disposed of, or at least built in the cheapest most cost effective manner which has in essence "trained" the upcoming generation to lose appreciation for quality and durability. This is why I don't think that there will ever be a day when iPods are collectible. (I could be wrong by the way). I may be comparing Apples to Oranges with this illustration, but the disposable nature of consumer goods nowadays coupled with the breakneck speed of our changing technology devalues their collectible future in my opinion.

[WDC]

It's not fashionable, chic or 'modern' to be thinking of old technology or domestic furniture.

I cannot say that I see this trend. Actually I do see the exact opposite in many ways, especially when it comes to furniture and anything interior. We are currently in the middle of a 1920's - 1940's art deco rush that is admired by younger generations.
Also one would have to admit that phonographs (since they became antique) have never been a thing for the masses. And we all should be thankful for it because machines and records are already expensive enough. Imagine what a financial impact a worldwide phono rush would have? The average collector could be proud of what he had by then, but expanding the personal collection would have reach the very end then.