Cannibalization of phonographs on EBAY

[Guest]

WOW

That became a hot topic quickly.. I probably struck a nerve with some people but we all have to live with our dicisions. I for one have a hard time seeing perfectly good machines parted out but then again if I had an incomplete machine that has been sitting around waiting for one of these parts to show up, I would jump on it before someone else did. I guess we can all justify our purchases so in our minds we are keeping another machine alive for the future. Another angle might be that who among us can be 100% positive that the very machines we own and cherish are in fact totally original in the first place?

This topic was not to throw stones at any individuals especially dealers that make a living by providing us all with the necessary parts to complete our projects but occasionally I see things being done on Ebay that is quite disturbing.

FMBLIZZ

ps

I have a ¾ #8 screw if anyone needs one to screw down the speed control on a VV-VI. I will be listing it soon... LOL

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Not long ago there appeared to be most of an Amberola 1A parted out on ebay. Now, that is sad.

[USlakeside]

I have been thinking about this because I just bought a Triumph that had its case destroyed in shipping. So now its just upper works... lid.... crank.... Will it be parted? I don't know. I havent fully assessed a full-blown rebuild of the splintered cabinate.

[bbphonoguy]

I have been thinking about this because I just bought a Triumph that had its case destroyed in shipping. So now its just upper works... lid.... crank.... Will it be parted? I don't know. I havent fully assessed a full-blown rebuild of the splintered cabinate.

OOOH! OUCH! That must've hurt.

[Jerry B.]

Was the mechanism shipped still in the case? Any chance of posting a photo? Maybe all is not lost. Jerry

[fmblizz]

WOW Guess I stirred up a little hornets nest... LOL

It is because of people in USLakeside's situation that many other machines are now complete. I would not hesitate parting out a machine that is too far gone and by putting these additional parts out there on the market, many of us can complete projects that have been sitting idol on the shelf. Machines that are too far gone would certainly be a legitmate reason for cannibalization. It would not surprise me if 25 % or more of my collection is not 100% original. In fact, what guarantee really do any of us have that any our machines are snow white pure.... NONE

True it is great to be a purest but it's not always possible so you go to the next best thing.

I hope I didn't hit a nerve with some peope but that's why they make vanilla & chocolate. It just does not seem right to tear apart a perfectly good machine in the hopes of picking up an additional 10% on a reselling them for parts. Just my opinion mind you.

As far as dealers are concerned, these are not the Ebay users I am referring to. Dealers (phonograph dealers not antique dealers) are doing more than their fair share to keep this hobby alive.

I was glad to see all the input from members of this site.
Happy collecting..

Gary Blizzard
[email protected]

PS
I do have a ⅝ inch NO.6 slotted round head screw that I will be listing if anyone need one to screw down a speed adjuster on a VV-VI LOL

[Valecnik]

I have been thinking about this because I just bought a Triumph that had its case destroyed in shipping. So now its just upper works... lid.... crank.... Will it be parted? I don't know. I havent fully assessed a full-blown rebuild of the splintered cabinate.

Very sorry to hear that. Sounds like the seller tried to pack the heavy works in place, inside the case.

I'd strongly consider a rebuild of the case if that's at all possible. There are some miracle workers out there...

[Nat]

I would not hesitate parting out a machine that is too far gone

seems to be to be right on target. Several of my machines would not be working, were it not for parts from other machines - I just hope they were beyond repair when the parts were removed!

I used to have a lot to do with wooden boats - they're never "original," as you're constantly repairing and replacing. It's the same, really, with any piece of "machinery" you want to keep using, be it skis, violins, cars...

But butchering a complete, working machine for parts? Seems awful to me!

[Zeppy]

I personally find parting out otherwise good machines rather distasteful. Yes, it's the seller's property to do as he wishes...if he wanted to, he could put a match to it. That doesn't make it the right thing to do, nor does it mean I approve of what someone does under the guise of their property rights. The number of machines that are have all the same parts as when they were purchased isn't going to get any larger. Sure, you can try to rationalize it that by parting one good, original machine, several more have been made complete, but none of those machines are really original (not that any of us could tell the difference). I think I would rather wait a little longer waiting for a part to come from a basket case, then take part in the splitting up of good condtion original (and as far as I know, I have never purchased parts from a otherwise good machine being parted for profit).

Leave the parting out to machines that are beyond salvation.

[bbphonoguy]

In fact, what guarantee really do any of us have that any our machines are snow white pure.... NONE

Actually, I know that most of my machines are 100% original. I'm only the 2nd owner for some of them, because I began collecting when enclosed horn phonographs were sometimes being given away. For one of my machines I'm only the 3rd owner and I know its history, and know that it is also all original. I'm sure there are quite a few of us with similar stories.