A Very Merry Christmas

[Homestead]

I would like to thank Raphael Cole for the best Christmas gift I have gotten in a long time! Now he didn’t get it for me, rather I bought a Hexaphone model 104 from him in December. Way back in 1973 or 74, a young William Endlein had an insert in Allen Koenigsberg’s “Antique Phonograph Monthly” listing a Hexaphone for 3500.00. That was a fortune for a high schooler whose only income was from mowing yards, nevertheless the dream was born. I just looked at it over and over and hoped for one…someday. Well, now a senior citizen, my dream came to fruition. I had been watching various models over the last several months at auction houses, web sites and ebay. Yes, I could have saved some money by going to the big phonograph auctions or shows, but because I am still working (to help support my hobby) I really couldn’t take off the 5 days or so to travel from Texas to out east or the Midwest, and be sure I would not return empty handed. I also was hesitant to do shipping especially purchasing sight unseen and not knowing up front the cost. Please understand I have bought several wonderful items from Stanton’s Auctions and the shipping although expensive, was safe. Anyway, I called Raphael, agreed on a price and about 5 days later the Hexaphone was at our gate. The young R&L driver loaded it in my pickup bed and road in the back with it uphill our mountain drive. He helped unload, uncrate and move into the house. (it is amazing what a 20 dollar tip does!). It has performed flawless as described and I couldn’t be happier…sometimes dreams do come true. For me in was a very Merry Christmas. PS a shout out to Shawn O’Rourke for supplying a replica information card found inside the coin access panel.

[travisgreyfox]

Beautiful machine. Congratulations

[An Balores]

Fantastic machine! Beautiful and unusual!

[TinfoilPhono]

Gorgeous and fun machine -- congratulations!

[Raphael]

James, thanks very much not only for your purchase but for the kind words expressed in your post. And you are correct, cheaper ones could be had, and with the attendant risks and problems inherent in auction purchases. None of these machines are sold without a thorough going-over, and I leave necessary repairs to professionals far more qualified than I to sort out any issues and properly service them for trouble-free operation. Thanks to Ken Danckaert, Shawn O’Rourke, Wyatt Marcus, Paul Baker, etc. these complex machines always have new life in them.

For the benefit of the naysayers out there, machines such as Hexaphones can be safely shipped to anywhere in the world. I’ve sent four to new homes in the past year, with not a single problem. A picture of the shipped item is shown, which consists of multiple layers of double-wall boxes with styrofoam between them, etc. And of course, proper internal packing, shrink-wrap and blanket wrap.

Enjoy your Hexaphone, and I hope you don’t wait another 50 years for your next purchase!

Raphael

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[Roaring20s]

Nice post and a fine unit!

James.

[Liamhamb30]

That's a beautiful machine, and I'm sure it had quite the journey to get to you! Now all you need to do is load it with seasonal cylinders, if Raphael didn't already load it with Homer Rodeheaver for a little "Jesus" fix!