Your favorite machine from your entire collection?

[De Soto Frank]

There is no way I can compete with all of the georgeous machines you members have posted
since I am a newbie collector, I only have 6 machines.An Edison W-19 (just purchased),an
orthophonic VV-8-4, a VV-220, a VV-VI, a VV2-60 portable,and a VV-XVI (my favorite). I
got it from a young lady who inherited from her grandmother and didn't want it, I asked
her what she wanted to get for it and she told me 100.00, needless to say the money flew
out of my pocket. Here is what I got.
Gene

Wow - and with all the binders too !!!!

[De Soto Frank]

It is interesting to learn why a particular machine is someone's favorite. It doesn't have to be expensive, mint original condition, or esthetically appealing, but whatever it is, it is important to you!

Certainly sentimental attachment, and / or family history have a lot of influence... or resurrection of a forlorn basket-case...

In some ( many?) cases, an individual's "favorite machine" might be different than "if you could keep only one machine, which one would it be?"

My attachment to my VE 8-12X has a lot to do with it being originally purchased by my Great-grandmother. If I ever had to part with it, I would like to see it go to someone in that side of the family... plus, it's a decent performer, and in nice condition. Someday I hope to be able to hear a Credenza and an 8-12 side-by-side, to determine once and for all ( for me) whether or not I "need" a Credenza...

"If I could keep just one machine", I would lean towards one of my Brunswick "Ultona" models, which ( at least on the face of it ) are capable of playing all disc record formats...

I would find it difficult to part with my Edison cylinder machines though...

[ejackett]

Thanks for comments Frank, Clay and phonohound,When I was fortunate enough to
get my machines I've tried to get as much family history behind them as I can,
and then I make up a folder with all that info, and pics of where I purchased
them, so that when I hand them down to my daughter and grandson, they will
know something about each machine. In my own way I enjoy saving these fine
pieces of furniture/phonographs from the scrap heap, even some of the really
bad condition machines which I've managed to salvage and make playable again
for other people to enjoy.
Gene

[Kevan]

I think mine is an Edison... of course. A standard B 2/4 min with an O reproducer and cygnet horn. In the video there is a B reproducer on it but I have an O now and it sounds better.

Kevan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyLrR5O-8zo

[Orchorsol]

I thought this may be a fun thread.

If out of your entire collection you had to chose one machine that you could safely call your favorite, what would it be?

"Favourite" is so difficult! So limiting! So confusing! For which reasons, for which purposes/contexts, and how to weigh them up? Comparing apples with pears...

OK, if pressed, my EMG Mk Xb.

But for sentimental attachment, and the one I'd let go last (but hopefully never will, and neither will my sons) my grandparents' HMV 111 which nurtured my love of all this and of music from a very tender age.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

My faithful C 200 trumps any other machine I own. I was given it when I was 16 and I've had it with me ever since...like, over 40 years! I play it virtually every day. It came with the original owner's records all in original sleeves. All the recordings date between 1914 and 1921.It's in very good original shape except for the grill cloth..which I replaced.The cabinet is dated March, 1915 which means it's an early C200. And it came with a sample of Edison grease and a smashed lateral adapter. All those reproducers nestled under the lid are for my "second best friend," the Model D Standard which faces the C200 across the room. ( That Exhibition snuck in there somehow.)

Jim

[pughphonos]

Given the Edisonic "inventory" thread I've been laboring on since April 21, you won't be surprised to find see this as my favorite:

My Schubert Edisonic, serial number 3621.

The Edisonics were the last hand-crank, acoustical disc machines offered by the Edison company. They had a different horn configuration than the preceding Edison disc machines--and they seem to bring out more "warmth" and detail--though some Edison collectors identify earlier Edison machines (such as the C-250) as having better bass response.

Part of the charm of owning an Edisonic is that they are scarce without being rare or expensive. I'm never going to own a rare machine; so this is as near to "special" as I'm going to get.

Also, it sits next to my Victor 8-4, which was a roughly contemporary machine.

Ralph

[pughphonos]

My faithful C 200 trumps any other machine I own. I was given it when I was 16 and I've had it with me ever since...like, over 40 years! I play it virtually every day. It came with the original owner's records all in original sleeves. All the recordings date between 1914 and 1921.It's in very good original shape except for the grill cloth..which I replaced.The cabinet is dated March, 1915 which means it's an early C200. And it came with a sample of Edison grease and a smashed lateral adapter. All those reproducers nestled under the lid are for my "second best friend," the Model D Standard which faces the C200 across the room. ( That Exhibition snuck in there somehow.)

Jim

Jim, I've always liked those mid-range Edison models from the ca. 1915 class of phonos; the C-200 (Adam) is cool especially. I can see why you like it. The C-250 Chippendales are monsters, whereas the Adams are more compact with a curious mix of elegance and simplicity.

[gemering]

I picked my Edison Gem.
It is said that "you can't take it with you."
However, when my collecting days on this earth are over and I head to that great phonograph show in the sky, this machine is small and may be able to be squeezed in near my feet.
My runner-up is my $100 Edisonic Schubert.
Gene

PS
Doug, I loved your story regarding the doll.

[De Soto Frank]

I thought this may be a fun thread.

If out of your entire collection you had to chose one machine that you could safely call your favorite, what would it be?

"Favourite" is so difficult! So limiting! So confusing! For which reasons, for which purposes/contexts, and how to weigh them up? Comparing apples with pears...

OK, if pressed, my EMG Mk Xb.

But for sentimental attachment, and the one I'd let go last (but hopefully never will, and neither will my sons) my grandparents' HMV 111 which nurtured my love of all this and of music from a very tender age.

Holy Moses, that's an enormous horn !!!