The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Matt, I think that it's you anyway

Your Aeolian-Vocalions are beautiful, they look great. I am also fond of Aoelian-Vocalions, their grills are nice looking. Would like to see them in person some time.

Mike

Very pretty machines, very nice job.

I've never been able to figure out why Aeolian didn't make more of a splash in the market place: they certainly tried and advertised like crazy especially in the late teens. They had money to burn and they introduced the phonograph line at the peak of their financial power. Their Pianola and Duo-Art player actions were enormously successful, but the phonograph line never seemed to catch on, especially up here in Ontario where Aeolian Vocalians are rather uncommon. I think I've seen about four in all the long years I've been into the hobby. They seemed to have wanted to cultivate the high end market...a la Edison and the Canadian McLagan company, which might have been a mistake.

JRT

I think the previous (several posts up) comment about having an Aeolian back a few decades ago, and the spring breaking and there was no place to get parts or repairs is actually wrong. Anybody that read Hobbies magazine in the 1950's, 60's, or 70's could find ads from several vendors who would sell you parts, or do repairs. I think it may have been harder to find sources then, but certainly not impossible.

Looks fantastic. Did you use any parts from the machine I sold you? I'd love to think I helped in a very small way. I would love to see some more pics......and maybe see a youtube video of it playing...... with the volume control in action. Once again , great job and enjoy it.

Yeah mike its me ...lol
Any time you wanna check out the machine, you know where to find me.
And Garry, I ended up using the motor from the machine I got from you..the extra lid I had, that I was hoping to fit to it ended up being too small ...however I may still have a few ideas for the cabinet, and one can never have too many aeolian parts..all the more for the next lol.

A few months ago there was an Aeolian Vocalion that was cut down and "improved"edisonplayer

Your restoration work looks to be first-class and you now have a really handsome machine. I have always been curious about these, knowing Aeolian Vocalion's good reputation in other areas, and would like to see and hear one in person some day.

Clay

Really nice job. Congrats. I used to have an oak machine just like the one you have pictured, but the tonearm was snapped off and missing, and I couldn't find one for the life of me. I ended up selling it. These are really stunning machines, and you have really done a service restoring these machines before they fall victim to someone who will "shabby chic" them, discard the workings and paint the cabinet hideously.

Cheers,
Brad