The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I believe your original question was why is it nearly impossible to find a cylinder machine for $300 or less. The honest answer to your question is because, if they are complete, and not cobbled up, they are worth more than that.

I second the advice to look for an Edison 2/4 minute machine, such as a Standard Model D, for beginning. They are great little machines and parts are readily available for them. Read up about them in advance so you know what should be included on one and how they operate so you don't get taken with a bodged up unit. The best chance for a bargain is running across one on Craigslist, at a thrift store, or estate sale where someone has one and just wants to get rid of it. Another way to get a bargain is to get a fixer-upper if you know how to do your own restoration work.

Clay

Skihawx wrote:I remember paying $265 for an Edison Gem with five cylinders about 1978. It was a flea market, I was about 17 and I asked how much for the GEM? He said 275. I said will you take 250? He replied, "I mean two-hundred-seventy-five", sarcastically. I said, "I know, I mean two-hundred-fifty". In the end that machine still cost me $265. And that was paid with money from a paper route in the 1970's. I think there was a much greater interest in "antiques" in general back then and prices in comparable dollars were higher.

Adjusted for inflation, you may as well say $275 in the late '70s is about $1000 (or slightly more) today.

To the OP: Be patient. Most machines that you find for less than about $300-350 will be a total wreck that are probably beyond the ability of a newcomer to the hobby. The more common Edison models start around this range. In a way, that's good because it means that there is still enough demand out there to warrant the price. A lot of collectables' value decreased with the popularity of the internet. Many items once thought to be "rare" turned out to be very common. You have to also remember that even though a lot of these machines were produced, 100+ years have gone by and many did not survive. Everything from general obsolescence to WWII scrap metal drives took their toll on the number of phonos that are out there.

Don't overlook a nice Amberola 30, either. Blue Amberols are the most commonly found survivors, and have plenty of decent music on them.

I got a very clean example on ebay a while ago; $310 + $35 shipping, plus I had a 15% off coupon from PayPal - it was a total of $293.25 . Came with an extra Model H & adapter, to play wax Amberols (probably meant for ICS Language records). Nifty.

I will second what Jerry said about the 2/4 minute gearing. My first cylinder machine was a Standard B, 2 min. The next was a Standard E 4 min. I have since sold them both and have another machine that is 2/4 minute. Get a Standard D with the 2/4 min gearing and you will be happier. I did sell both machines to finance the purchase of a Triumph with 2/4 min gearing and I love the Triumph, but I might have waited longer for the Triumph had I gotten a Standard D as my first machine-would be cheaper too!

Hailey wrote:I believe your original question was why is it nearly impossible to find a cylinder machine for $300 or less. The honest answer to your question is because, if they are complete, and not cobbled up, they are worth more than that.

$300 or more is not so much to pay for a cylinder phono given that an iPud, iPhone or other iThings can easily cost double that.

Edisone wrote:Don't overlook a nice Amberola 30, either. Blue Amberols are the most commonly found survivors, and have plenty of decent music on them.

I got a very clean example on ebay a while ago; $310 + $35 shipping, plus I had a 15% off coupon from PayPal - it was a total of $293.25 . Came with an extra Model H & adapter, to play wax Amberols (probably meant for ICS Language records). Nifty.

Good advice. Ten years ago when I was looking for my first cylinder machine I attended the auction sale of a large collection. Many of the lower price machines were basket cases, but the well known UK expert Paul Morris pointed me in the direction of a complete and working Amberola 30. I bought it for £200 and kept it for several years before upgrading to a 50.

The 30 is ideal for the beginner, with a gear driven motor (no belt to slip, break or adjust) and none of the problems associated with wax cylinders.

Taking your time and looking at several models and makers will help in deciding what you want.
I looked for 2 years , off and on , before I found a decent machine at a good price.
Keep your eyes open and cruise yard sales and such.
I am going to an auction on weds, the listing includes "2 upright phonographs". Could be anything. Or nothing, or the buy of my lifetime. Cant wait to find out! Regards, Johnny

Johnny Smoke wrote:Taking your time and looking at several models and makers will help in deciding what you want.
I looked for 2 years , off and on , before I found a decent machine at a good price.
Keep your eyes open and cruise yard sales and such.
I am going to an auction on weds, the listing includes "2 upright phonographs". Could be anything. Or nothing, or the buy of my lifetime. Cant wait to find out! Regards, Johnny

Sound advice Johnny. Those first few you see are not the only ones out there. Take some time. Ask questions. Read a bit and you'll find the right combination of quality, features and price.

Valecnik wrote:

Johnny Smoke wrote:Taking your time and looking at several models and makers will help in deciding what you want. I looked for 2 years , off and on , before I found a decent machine at a good price.
Keep your eyes open and cruise yard sales and such. I am going to an auction on weds, the listing includes "2 upright phonographs". Could be anything. Or nothing, or the buy of my lifetime. Cant wait to find out! Regards, Johnny

Sound advice Johnny. Those first few you see are not the only ones out there. Take some time. Ask questions. Read a bit and you'll find the right combination of quality, features and price.

This is really good advice. It might not seem like it, but there is a plethora of cylinder phonographs out there, even out in the open market. Save, save, save, do your research, and be patient. That way, when the nice, original phonograph you want comes along, you can buy it! Also, it's worth keeping in mind that certain models are quite rare, and other examples are extremely common. Depending on your purposes, it might be worth waiting that extra while for an Edison Fireside with cygnet horn, or Triumph, or whatever else you seek. If you want good all-around value for a cylinder machine, get a Triumph with cygnet horn. It will be expensive, but they're certainly worth it, as they make quite a sound!