Off brand talking machines and them some

[briankeith]

Where can one get a complete list of "off brand" talking machines? Since buying my little Ecco and Domestic phonographs a few weeks ago, I have taken a big interest in these little single spring machines. Or as some of you here coin the term: "scheme machines" such as the Harmony and Symphony phonographs. I assume after the Victor and Edison patents ran out, everybody jumped on the talking machine "band wagon" and made quite a bit of money on these little phonographs. Some are actually quite nice with beautifully constructed cabinets (like my Ecco) and others were built just to sell their own brand of records like my Aretino machine with the huge 3" spindle. I've got the off brand bug now!!

[Jerry B.]

A "complete list"? Sounds like you have a life long project. Jerry Blais

[schweg]

A "complete list"? Sounds like you have a life long project. Amen to that!

But here's a head start.

http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

[Sidewinder]

Someone is already trying I think

http://www.romfi.com/category.cfm?Category=%26!A]%23X%3C8D%0A&CFID=911897&CFTOKEN=65356858

(topic: Music Reproduction > Phonograph-Disk)

I post there when I have something interesting to add.

[briankeith]

Interesting how neither site listed my newly found Ecco Talking Machine!!

[Blimpy]

Don't forget the Champion that was posted about recently.

[phonophan79]

I tried to do that on this forum a while ago with all the off-brand machines that we come across in life and on craigslist...

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=3804

[JohnM]

The 'scheme' brands would be Standard, Harmony, United, Aretino, and Busy Bee. Not aware of a 'Symphony', although some of the internal-horn versions of them (not the Busy Bee, though) were modified Columbis 'Symphony'-series machines -- lidless table models with single spring motors and cast-iron back-brackets that double as the first section of the horn throat.

[alang]

The model is called Symphony, made by United Talking Machine Co. I think between 1912 and 1915 there were 2 different models with slightly different grille and decals.

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Andreas

[JohnM]

Yes, 'Symphony' as a model, but not as a brand. The machine you show is exactly the type I refer to being based upon the equivalent Columbia model.