The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I only have one machine right now. But... if I had more , I could not give this one up because it was a gift from my son, and it is(probably) the same model I have such fond memories of from childhood. A Victrola the 14th.
The record is a tough decision. Probably my 1923 Al Jolson because he was singing into a horn and Isham Jones orchestra is playing and one of the songwriters is playing ukulele on the song. California here I come.

Picking a favorite, (or even a favourite ) is nearly impossible. As to narrowing down a record: Impossible.

I completely agree!! I've been thinking about this for a long time, and can't decide! For machines, though, I would probably choose my Vic VV-XVI, as it's the most reliable and best sounding machine I have.

My choice would have to be my EMG 10B Oversize Export model: Record: Fletcher Henderson "Hot Mustard"

From among the relatively few machines I own, I would have to say that my favourite is my circa 1935 HMV 102c with its 5a reproducer: my choice here is made on the basis of its general utility (weight, size and protability) and its very much "punching above its weight" sound; as with the comparative behemoth of the VV2-55, it outperforms many (but obviously not all) of the tabletop, cabinet, and console machines from rival manufacturers.

My 1920 Aeolian Vocalion machine would be a second choice but a distant one. It was after all my first machine and thus holds a special place in my affections. Its sound is quite good (if not absolutely so), especially with acoustically recorded records. The (slightly awkward) ulitity of its universal arm alows me to play both laterally and vertically cut records. All in all it is a decently performing machine.

Being asked to pick a favourite record, puts me in situation like that of my childhood cat. With the first snow fall every year, it would madly fly about indecisively chasing snow flakes. It would also creep up slowly and hide behind a driveway curb and then leap over the curb into the middle of a flock of small birds in the adjacent garden. It never caught anything because there were too many choices.

So rather than choosing a favourite, I will choose a most frequently played recording. The two are not necessarily the same thing, although the second category is probably a subset of the first..

Beniamino Gigli - Che gelida manina
Label: His Master's Voice
Country: UK
Catalogue: D.B. 1538
Date: Dec 1931

https://youtu.be/vZEe4lLASTQ?si=GTCNOk17NICr52Gc

This is the disk that keeps spontaneously cracking on me and requires gluing. As such its play is restricted to acoustic machines. It is treated periodically with carnauba wax to protect it. It actually sounds surprisingly good on my Aeolian Vocalion machine.

Deutsche Grammophon A. G. Monarch de Luxe No. 15b with pedestal, from 1904: https://grammophon-platten.de/e107_plug ... 30876.post

Irene Abendroth: Vergebliches Ständchen (by Johannes Brahms) 7" G&T 43038, Dresden March/April 1902, only known copy.

Starkton wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2026 5:24 pm Deutsche Grammophon A. G. Monarch de Luxe No. 15b with pedestal, from 1904: https://grammophon-platten.de/e107_plug ... 30876.post

Irene Abendroth: Vergebliches Ständchen (by Johannes Brahms) 7" G&T 43038, Dresden March/April 1902, only known copy.

Your 15b with pedestal is without question, one of the most awe inspiring, beautiful machines I've ever seen. Congratulations on the fine restoration. The "green" oak does advance the Art Nouveau design and methodology beyond the plainer ebonised version.

If I was choosing a machine for practicality it would be my E.M.Ginn Expert with it's Garrard electric motor.
If I was choosing for sentimentality it would be my Columbia 204 which has been in my family from new in 1934.

As to records, for listening pleasure it would be Caruso's 1906 recording of "M'Appari" from Flotow's opera "Marta".
For rarity it would be H.M.King Edward VIII's Abdication Speech on two single sided HMV white label discs, which have no indication of their content. The BBC engineers were under instruction not to record the speech, but they could not resist.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 3:00 pm If I was choosing a machine for practicality it would be my E.M.Ginn Expert with it's Garrard electric motor.

I hear you with regard to convenience. I have two pedestal Expert Seniors, one with Paillard Indiction motor, the other with Collaro D30 spring driven motor.

Call it laziness, but guess which one I use the most!

DeeDee and I celebrated our 50th last August. I bought a Victor V project about a year before we were married. It came to me missing the horn and elbow and it was brush painted bright gold and not a good job. I always thought someone had ten minutes to get it painted or there would be consequences. Maybe it was used as an accent piece in a clothing store but I really don't know. I disassembled the machine and refinished the cabinet. I used lacquer thinner and removed the gold paint while saving the black paint on the back bracket but lost the majority of the decoration. The first horn I located was a #22 Flower horn in barely presentable condition. Over the years its had the largest brass belled Victor horn, an oak spear tip horn, a fabulous #24 black horn and more recently this after market nickel horn with flowers. I think the flowers are fairly recent but I like the horn. A few years ago I purchased the matching Victor V record cabinet. This is the machine that greets visitors to the basement.

Jerry B

It would have to be my Hexaphone 104....
So I get 6 records! I'd wanted a 104 since I saw Bill Endlein's flyer in one the Antique Phonograph Monthly issues about 1974. It was 3500.00 back then in the 70s an insurmountable amount for a high school kid. That remained a dream til 2023 when I pulled the trigger and got one. My cylinder would be Give Your Little Baby Lots Of Lovin'. By Jack Dalton's 7 Blue Babies w/vocal by Ermine Calloway as issued by Berlin Phonoworks. An outstanding recording for Edison or anyone else!