Crapohone? Innovative project? Frankenphone?

[Nat]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/clt/2145855816.html

Interesting, at least, and different....

[schweg]

Contact Frank at 425-221-3120 for more information. Motivated Seller!

First time I've seen a Frankenphone ACTUALLY MADE BY SOMEONE NAMED FRANK!! Priceless..

Steve

[brianu]

if the cabinet's solid and to your liking visually, and considering the number of discs involved (if they're all diamond discs and in decent shape), I think that could totally be worthwhile to someone who's just looking to play the discs on an original set-up without necessarily having to have an entire original machine... I've considered doing this in the past, both with an edison mechanism and a victor orthophonic set-up, but the time required for the conversion and cabinet was too much of a deterrent... plus, if he's motivated, that likely means the final price will be a bit lower.

[MTPhono]

I vote INNOVATIVE PROJECT. This is visually interesting machine. Like Brianu, I've considered similar projects with parts I have lying around. If only I was a decent woodworker!

[Edisone]

At least 10 years ago, I bought 2 reproducers via ebay, and the seller decided to send ALL the working parts of his flood-ruined Edison Disc machine. I don't remember even checking to see what model they came from (150 something, maybe) but they're waiting in the cellar, for me to start such a project.

[antique1973]

It looks like a candidate for a museum exhibit titled: "Contemporary Frankenphones for the modern age" It was actually done well, and considering it was a baby console its not a terrible loss. Nothing wrong with having a functional machine from various scattered parts.

[Phonofreak]

That machine has been listed many times in CL before. For that same $300.00, I can get a real diamond disk machine. This is a piece junk only good for parts.
Harvey Kravitz

[brianu]

This is a piece junk only good for parts.
Harvey Kravitz

that definitely sums up a purist collector's perspective, but not everyone is that focused on something being totally genuine or legitimate. some people - even collectors - don't mind the occasional experiments and projects, and even throw them together themselves at times. certainly this example isn't that elaborate (it seems designed more for basic function that anything else... and unlike the typical crapophones and frankenphones and whateverphones, this mechanism is entirely original so using it won't damage discs or result in a ridiculously bad sound)... but there are other examples that aim to do a bit more, especially with aesthetics... ie., things designed in that steampunk style. a lot of that can be pretty intriguing and far from junk, I think.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

At least they aren't trying to pass it off as "THE RAREST VICTROLA EVER PRODUCED - GLASS CABINET!!!!!" or something.

[Nat]

At least they aren't trying to pass it off as "THE RAREST VICTROLA EVER PRODUCED - GLASS CABINET!!!!!" or something.


My thoughts exactly. If the original case was beyond repair, this seems a very sensible and well-done way to play some DD's.

And as was pointed out above, a lot of us have monkeyed - or thought of doing so - with our machines. I've got a few experiments in mind that I'd love to try out, and which would definitely not be "original" to any machines. In doing something like that, we're only doing what acoustic engineers were doing all along: tinkering, trying for something better. A line has to be drawn between creative tinkering, and passing something off as realm - which this isn't.

It would be interesting to hear what alterations and tinkerings members have carried out on otherwise "authentic" machines. I've messed with installing a shaped cork at the right angle of the crook on my Victrolas, to provide a better passage for sound waves/pressure, and to my ears, it sounds a bit better.

Nat