https://forum.talkingmachine.info/
Thanks. Cool site and not just for the list of manufacturers.52089 wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:25 pm Tim Gracyk's excellent website has a long list of these companies, but even that list is far from complete. See here:
https://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml
Thanks.gramophone78 wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:33 pm I would also recommend buying a few books such as those published by George P and Tim F. Also, joining the APS in order to access great and invaluable resource material, including one publication (R J Wakeman) on the many "off" brands that were available like AV.
https://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talk ... j-wakeman/
"^^^this."fran604g wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:22 am^^^this.gramophone78 wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:33 pm I would also recommend buying a few books such as those published by George P and Tim F. Also, joining the APS in order to access great and invaluable resource material, including one publication (R J Wakeman) on the many "off" brands that were available like AV.
https://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talk ... j-wakeman/
-Fran
Thanks. Interesting. I have only ever seen HMV and Columbia machines here in Canada, but then I have not been looking very long or very widely.epigramophone wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:59 am In the UK the big three in terms of production volume were HMV, Columbia and Decca.
HMV's reputation for quality enabled them to sell a premium product to a mass market. They probably have the highest survival rate today, and their prices in today's market reflect their continuing appeal to collectors.
There were dozens of small firms manufacturing gramophones from bought in mechanical components, mostly in the lower and medium price ranges. In the UK we call them "assembled" gramophones, which sounds less disparaging than "off brand", a term which I detest.
Even EMG and Expert, the finest acoustic gramophones ever made, were produced by small firms and used bought in motors. No such terms are used to categorise them. They are in a class of their own.
I agree with the feisty one. Some Brunswick machines are plain, but others have beautifully carved cabinets. The motors are nearly silent and many have the Ultona reproducer that will play Edison diamond discs as well as lateral cut records. They are excellent machines.gunnarthefeisty wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:11 pm I will stay by my opinion that Brunswick machines, of any era, are the finest quality. Good build, lovely to look at, very pleasant to listen to, and common enough to find parts for.
It's merely a reference to the previous post, as in "up", or "yes, this".Lah Ca wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 3:18 pm"^^^this."fran604g wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:22 am^^^this.gramophone78 wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:33 pm I would also recommend buying a few books such as those published by George P and Tim F. Also, joining the APS in order to access great and invaluable resource material, including one publication (R J Wakeman) on the many "off" brands that were available like AV.
https://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talk ... j-wakeman/
-Fran
I don't understand what this means. Sorry.
^^^ - what do the do the three circumflex chevrons indicate? Approval? Disparagement?
If opting for Edison as a main feature, I would shoot for a nice C19 or C150- common enough and often in quite nice shape. While Brunswick machines are really quite excellent sounding with Pathé and Acoustic records (possibly the best sounding, due to the massive diaphragm), the lack of feedscrew would make me wary with Diamond Discs.Django wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:52 pmI agree with the feisty one. Some Brunswick machines are plain, but others have beautifully carved cabinets. The motors are nearly silent and many have the Ultona reproducer that will play Edison diamond discs as well as lateral cut records. They are excellent machines.gunnarthefeisty wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:11 pm I will stay by my opinion that Brunswick machines, of any era, are the finest quality. Good build, lovely to look at, very pleasant to listen to, and common enough to find parts for.
Victor machines are an excellent choice as well. If you want to keep the quantity down, (best of luck with that), a good Brunswick with the Ultona reproducer and an orthophonic Victrola will take care of playing any disc up through World War II.
Welcome to a wonderful hobby. It is one of the few ways to authentically experience a bygone era.
I would not choose Edison discs as my main listening choice. Edison micromanaged the music that his company recorded, so I generally tend to listen to his competition for what is in my opinion anyway, a better selection. Regarding the lack of a feed mechanism, the Brunswick tonearm moves very freely and the Edison has a lot more mass to move, thus requiring the feed mechanism. I have never had an issue playing Diamond Discs on my Brunswick, but I am not really an authority on the subject. Maybe this has been discussed in the past. I would like to hear from those more knowledgeable than myself on the subject.gunnarthefeisty wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:47 pmIf opting for Edison as a main feature, I would shoot for a nice C19 or C150- common enough and often in quite nice shape. While Brunswick machines are really quite excellent sounding with Pathé and Acoustic records (possibly the best sounding, due to the massive diaphragm), the lack of feedscrew would make me wary with Diamond Discs.Django wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:52 pmI agree with the feisty one. Some Brunswick machines are plain, but others have beautifully carved cabinets. The motors are nearly silent and many have the Ultona reproducer that will play Edison diamond discs as well as lateral cut records. They are excellent machines.gunnarthefeisty wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:11 pm I will stay by my opinion that Brunswick machines, of any era, are the finest quality. Good build, lovely to look at, very pleasant to listen to, and common enough to find parts for.
Victor machines are an excellent choice as well. If you want to keep the quantity down, (best of luck with that), a good Brunswick with the Ultona reproducer and an orthophonic Victrola will take care of playing any disc up through World War II.
Welcome to a wonderful hobby. It is one of the few ways to authentically experience a bygone era.