Why do you do what you do?

[Steve]

I can assure the OP (Jonathan) that there is nothing unusual about being early 40's and tripping over phono projects. I'm 45 and my house is FULL of them! I think it's quite normal!

[STARR-OLA]

Ok here goes.
age-48.

I started carrying a cheap windup phonograph in the late 60s,i would go places play records and sing.i always wanted to sing,i dont think im ready for the big time yet .and just the other day i walked down to starbucks with my brunswick 102 and a dozen records and played them for the humans.so i guess im at 40 plus yrs of record playing.next step is to play 78s for the elderly in group homes,that will start after september.
Restoring penny farthings and old harleys is something ive done and enjoyed but became to expensive for me.gramophones are in my blood!i get alot from getting a machine that was sitting for 90 yrs and getting it working-satisfaction- i cant stop restoring old things,i was born in the wrong time im afraid.

my newest fixer upper,a victor belt buckle.

[Nat]

-How old are you?

63, alas!

-What other objects to you like to restore and enjoy?

Georgian furniture; I've also built a neo-Georgian fireplace surround, as well as all the furniture in my cabin. I also buy old books, but I have them restored by a magician in Seattle.

-What artistic endeavors do you entertain?

I abuse a viola. started very late, sound awful, love it!

-Why do you love phonographs or the other interests that you have?

I collected my first when I was in 7th grade, and simply loved the old-fashionedness of it. Today I collect and restore for fun, but the underlying reason is always as a means to play music - mostly opera or chamber.

[edison phonographs]

33 years old

I am interested in any mechanical music, currently trying to find a Symphonion music box, used to own a roller organ that I sold in order to buy a very nice Edison 200 phonograph, and have never found as good a deal on one since so regret parting with it.

My everyday wrist watch is a Waltham trench watch from WWI and love the idea of usuable antiques like that. It doesn't sit on shelf it gets used every day.

I play trumpet and guitar and our music room is a combination of phonographs and intruments.

My dream machines would be an Opera, a Nickelodean and some unknown mechanical music contraption that I don't know that I want yet.

I hope that my 3 year old daughter continues to love her time in the music as much as she does now when K-K-K-Katy comes on the phonograph and she sings along to her song. (Her name is Kate so she says it is her song)

[alang]

-How old are you? - 51
-What other objects to you like to restore and enjoy? - I've fixed some old furniture and treadle sewing machines.
-What artistic endeavors do you entertain? - I am not artistic, that's my wife's role
-Why do you love phonographs or the other interests that you have? - I love to bring these old machines back to life. So I really enjoy more the fixing than the collecting. Of course, once I put my heart and soul into fixing a machine I cannot get myself to give it away
Andreas

[edisonphonoworks]

-How old are you? 38
-What other objects to you like to restore and enjoy? Antique cars (do not own any) player pianos, Steam things (Traction, industrial engines, locomotives.), reel to reels, microphones, and vintage audio, general antiques, Civil War items.
-What artistic endeavors do you entertain? playing and recording music, drawing, working with mechanical and electrical items,. Thomas Edison things.
-Why do you love phonographs or the other interests that you have? I lived on a farm and needed something constructive to keep busy, and had a laboratory to do experiments, and liked to read history books, and biographies, such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Nickola Tesla, Franklin, Washington, General Lee ect.

[m0xiemama]

Sounds like this is a really talented group of people. Jonathan I love your photos and will definitely be getting one.

Ewok that guitar is gorgeous. I am such a sucker for the light wood guitars though I am not able to play much more than a terrible plucked out version of hava nagila.

Thanks for all the compliments on the sink cabinet. It was really a labor of love and shallow pockets

[epigramophone]

How old are you?

65, and yes it does show.

What other objects do you like to restore and enjoy?

My wife and I collect musical boxes and any items connected with the history of our village.

I own two classic cars which are exhibited at rallies and shows.

What artistic endeavours do you entertain?

I am not an artist. My garden is my creative outlet.

Why do you love phonographs and the other interests that you have?

Through no fault of my own, I was born 50 years too late!
My interests take me back to a time when life was simpler and slower, a time when people had better manners and more concern for each other.

[HisMastersVoice]

1) I'm 25 years old. Don't let my age fool you
2) I also enjoy restoring antique lighting, kitchen appliances, and old cars. Antiques in general seem to find me, I don't think I own a single piece of furniture produced after 1940. I've also restored several Victorian parlor organs.
3) I've been playing the Highland Bagpipes since I was 14, though in recent years phonographs seem to have superseded practicing somewhat. I'm sure the neighbors don't mind.
4) I've always been fascinated by mechanical things, and music has always been a big part of my life. My first 78s I got when I was about 8 years old. I remember asking for a Victrola for Christmas several times, but alas, it never came. I finally had the opportunity to buy one right after I finished college, it's all been downhill since

Me with my 1966 Chevrolet Corvair 500

1942 Roper stove I just finished restoring a few months ago

[FloridaClay]

Sounds like you are off to a fantastic start at a lifetime of collecting Brandon.

Clay