The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Lah Ca wrote: Sun Sep 08, 2024 10:11 am For me, it is the music first.

The simple phrase that Iñigo wrote spurred a lot of good reflections!

I share Lah Ca's impression - the music takes precedence for me as well. But I am also attracted by the engineering behind the machines, the ingenuity of some of them that resulted or not in the improvement of reproduction. And, as mentioned before, I am most of the time more impressed by the sound of a vintage recording played on a gramophone than with modern transfers. There is the physical impact caused by the horn - especially coming from something like an EMG/Expert - that is not present in a modern loudspeaker. And most of the modern transfers suffer of the insistence in showing too much, including sounds that were not supposed to be heard. In this sense an older machine is more effective, as its limitations hide or attenuate the record faults. Having said that, I already ordered and am anxious to listen to the centennial King Oliver CD set that got great reviews - as I don't have any original source record, only 78 rpm dubs, I cannot experience spinning one of his Gennetts in an Expert.

Secondary to the music and the sound, there is the satisfaction of restoring or putting back into function the old machines - they are simple enough to allow restoration and maintenance even 100 years after their manufacturing, with new replacement parts machined or cast as needed, contrary to most modern electronic gear, that after 40 years become almost impossible to restore, with parts for which there is no replacement - just think of the displays that die out with time and the bespoke ICs and are in the heart of all hifi gear since the 90s.

There are also the aspects that are more common to all collectors, like the aesthetics, the completeness and the rarity. I admit that over the years I bought some machines and records for one of more of these reasons, but certainly none is a main driver for me as collector. Amassing every single variation of a model or a brand does not attract me - they will all sound the same anyway - but I open exceptions, like wood-case colonial models, that to me fit in all three categories: they are nice to look at, more or less rare and all their variants are interesting because diverse in shape and form.

Lastly, there is another aspect that all collectors share: the hunt. The best gramophone and record in my collection is the one I still don't have and is waiting to be added in a special place.

I agree with the previous comments but, for me, I think there is something personal which I can trace back to being a small child of five or six when I used to spend a lot of time at my beloved grandmother's house. One day, my elder sister and I found a blue HMV 101 in a cupboard, together with a selection of 78's ranging from dance bands to Sparky's Magic Piano and a few classical pieces. We learnt how to put needles in and play the records on this machine and I was absolutely fascinated - and that fascination has never really left me. We had some laughs as well, playing the records at wrong speeds (and the spring was a bit tired and would cause the record to run slower and slower, then we would frantically wind the handle to get the speed back - that was fun too!). Happy days!

Time machines. I often think about the previous owners of these old records. A hundred years ago, they were sitting and enjoying the same music, having similar thoughts and emotions as I do about children, life, future aspirations, worries, love, death and more. I guess its hard to explain in writing.

-Travis

I agree with literally everything said here. I'll also add my admiration for things so well made, designed and conceived, that over 100 years after their manufacture, they still perform the service & function that they were intended to offer. I don't just mean that they "still work", I mean that they still have the ability to not only work, but to still entertain and to still be relevant. (This is also why I love Model T Fords. Henry Ford's intentions to bring city folks to the country and country folks to the city are still played out by those who own and drive these cars yet today.)

They still work 100 years after their construction... and they do it very well, almost as perfectly as initially intended. Only add a bit more noisy motor, a few stains and cracks, if any, and that's all! Some still do as new.

a) ...
b) ...
c) ...
d) ...
e) All the above!

Great discussion. Many thanks, some wonderfully expressed comments, pretty much all of which ring true for me!

It also fights climate change by using green renewable energy and promoting recycling, while also involving some exercise.

gramophone-georg wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 10:59 pm It also fights climate change by using green renewable energy and promoting recycling, while also involving some exercise.

I think I will tell these facts to my wife next time I want a another machine. "Look, I know I do not need anymore but its for the environment and to keep my heart healthy"

In addition to enjoying machines and records themselves, the social side of our hobby is very important to me.
As well as attending CLPGS events, especially the annual Malvern weekend, I and a few fellow collectors who live locally meet regularly in each others homes, to play records over afternoon tea and cake.
Then there are the American collectors who I only know on line through this forum. They have increased my knowledge of American machines, and I hope that my knowledge of British machines, such as it is, has been of help to them when they find one.

Roger (still learning after over 60 years collecting).