Hi guys!

[Tara M]

My name is Tara, and I've silently been creeping this forum for a couple weeks before I got the courage to join. I have been really entralled by all of the great information on here! It's addicting.

I've been the owner of a VV-80 for about three months, and now I'm in the process of rehabilitating the motor. I've always wanted a phonograph and found the old gal on craigslist. Immediately as soon as I smelled that unmistakeable scent waft out from opening the lid, I knew this was one of those things you start, and you lose yourself in. That's going to be a good thing, right? Haha.

So far, I've found the Compleat Talking Machine book to be kind of so-so. It is a great all around book (covering many makes and models), but very sparse on the actual getting down to details. I have a Look for the Dog book on order. I took one poster's advice and watched Chilldude2007's videos on YouTube... they have been invaluable in my process. What an awesome guy for putting those up. I was hoping to find some quirky old guy in my area to be a mentor or something, but no luck. My family isn't very interested in my ramblings of mica diaphragms and my persistant requests to come over and have a listening party. So, when my toddler goes to sleep I sneak into the garage and tinker on my motor, or look up info on here from you guys. I might sound slightly manic, but this is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me... and I'm so proud after getting myself psyched up- I got my two springs out of my Victor motor.

I was also reading about Cacti needles. I am a transplant from Phoenix, so hopefully I can get someone to send me some needles. I bought a Peter Grey sharpener and started an aquarium filled with different species of barrel cacti, as kind of a needle farm. Unfortunately they will take years to be ready for harvest!

Sorry this is a lot. I'm excited to be here!

Tara

[dutchman]

Welcome to the forum Tara M.

[bob27556]

Nice to see more young people getting involved in the hobby/obsession. Welcome Tara, you have found the right board for learning about these machines.

[phonogfp]

Welcome Tara!

It's a good sign that you jumped right into mainspring removal - I know a few guys who have collected for decades, but won't open up a mainspring! I predict that once you've completely rebuilt that VV-80, nothing will scare you off. That's a great machine to start with, too.

Best of luck and welcome aboard!

George P.

[Andersun]

Welcome to the forum Tara. Your close now to the phonograph show in Union IL (West of Chicago) which is held the second weekend in June. Go there and you will find some good stuff and definitely meet old geezer St Louis collectors who are always willing to help!

[StL Bill]

Hi Tara
I guess that I qualify as one of the "old geezer" collectors in St. Louis (thanks Steve). I am always happy to help any phonograph collectors, especially beginners. We certainly need all of the new blood in this hobby that we can find. If you ever have any questions, need any help, or would like to stop by and see the collection, just let me know. You can send me a PM. Welcome to a great hobby.

Bill

[Andersun]

Hi Tara
I guess that I qualify as one of the "old geezer" collectors in St. Louis (thanks Steve).

Now now Bill, did I say you were one on the geezers? If you consider yourself one, then I guess I am one of the geezers who used to live in St. Louis!

[FloridaClay]

Welcome Tara. Once you have the bug, it is a forever kind of thing.

Clay

[edisonphonoworks]

Welcome Tera., I am the mad audio scientist of the group. My first machine was a Victrola floor model. I started restoring machines when I was 11 ½, and and now 38, and still young by the adv age I think on here of 56+. Talking machines are great to learn mechanics and audio, I now make blank cylinder records, record cylinders, restore machines, lecture on the subject, and do other kinds of recording like Sony Acid Pro, Sonar, Pro tools, and have dabbled with disc record cutting, and vacuum tube Ampex reel to reel. So in this hobby one thing can lead to another as you thirst for more records, to hear, and variety of machines to rebuild.

Sincerely

Shawn.

[Tinkerbell]

Welcome, Tara!

Glad to see you've decided to stop lurking, and join the group. It's always great to see another female collector/enthusiast on the forum.