'Worst Phonograph Description On Craigslist' contest

[OrthoFan]

Granted, the photo on CL is terrible, and I must admit being a newcomer puts me in about the worst position to make a judgement call... but does anyone else think this looks strangely similar to the India knock-off reproductions being hawked on Ebay?

eBay Item #330450820001

Hi Tinkerbell:

That's exactly what it appears to be, aka, a "Crap-O-Phone."

http://www.mainspringpress.com/crapo.html

It even matches the one illustrated in the above link!

Here's another guide to Crap-O-Phones: http://www.oldcrank.com/articles/crapop ... ction.html

[schweg]

Tink, First, Glad to have provided you a good laugh. I just couldn't resist.

Second, your observation on the crapophone is correct, as already pointed out by Ortho_Fan. I attend a local auction at which the auctioneer told me a while back that he bought a bunch of them for $25 each. He has slowly sold them off over the last few years and never tries to sell them as original antique phonos. That's about the only time he isn't trying to rip off all of us who attend. He's gotten me once or twice but I think overall I've come out way ahead on the items I've purchased from him over the last 10 years..

Steve

[Tinkerbell]

Granted, the photo on CL is terrible, and I must admit being a newcomer puts me in about the worst position to make a judgement call... but does anyone else think this looks strangely similar to the India knock-off reproductions being hawked on Ebay?

eBay Item #330450820001

Hi Tinkerbell:

That's exactly what it appears to be, aka, a "Crap-O-Phone."

http://www.mainspringpress.com/crapo.html

It even matches the one illustrated in the above link!

Here's another guide to Crap-O-Phones: http://www.oldcrank.com/articles/crapop ... ction.html

Ahhhh... very enlightening. Thank you for the links.

[OrthoFan]

Ahhhh... very enlightening. Thank you for the links.

Hi Tinkerbell:

Those links describe the most typical Crap-O-Phones. Unfortunately, there are others that are less obvious. Sometimes, for instance, an inside horn case will have been converted to an outside horn model simply by removing the original tonearm mount and adding a bracket, replacement tonearm & horn to the back of the cabinet These are often referred to as Franken-Phones.

There used to be a website with dozens of photos of various slapped together fake gramophones & phonographs, but apparently, it no longer exists.

In any event, if you ever come across something you're not sure about, feel free to ask about it here. As the saying goes, don't ever let this -- http://www.cameronfreeman.com/index.cfm ... icleID=304 -- happen to you!

OF

[schweg]

Fraaaankenphones? Those are Abbie Normal!!

[Tinkerbell]

i'll trade you my portable victrola for dental work (chicago only)

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Date: 2010-07-14, 3:27PM CDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

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title is self-explanatory. I need a checkup, a few cavities filled, and possibly a crown for a cracked tooth that doesn't hurt. If you are a dentist or know a dentist who is interested in exchanging their dental services for my portable victrola (working condition, great sound!) please send me an email!

...And perhaps if one is lucky, they won't wind up with the crap-o-phone as payment! I don't know, better be a pretty darn nice Victrola to cover the cost of a crown and a few filings. In my book, that runs around $2,000.00.

[Tinkerbell]

Okay, so perhaps it's not a CL listing, but this Ebay write up is interesting nevertheless...

This rair item a Pathé Reproducer that fits on a Victor Phonograph. That lets you play Pathé records. This lets you take off you Victor are and reproducer and replace it with this Pathé. It has a original woring styless for the Pthe records works will and great item. This comeswith the original box.eal neat item..

eBay Item #320560020629

[JohnM]

Okay, so perhaps it's not a CL listing, but this Ebay write up is interesting nevertheless...

This rair item a Pathé Reproducer that fits on a Victor Phonograph. That lets you play Pathé records. This lets you take off you Victor are and reproducer and replace it with this Pathé. It has a original woring styless for the Pthe records works will and great item. This comeswith the original box.eal neat item..

eBay Item #320560020629

Wow. Just wow.

[JohnM]

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atq/1830424991.html

"Set of 3 Edison Amber Rolls - $15 (Indy - NE Side of Town)

Set of 3 Edison Amber Rolls

*Record 1 - Green Box, Song is "Meet me tonight in dreamland" medley - waltz no actual record in this box however.

*Record 2 - Blue and Orange Box, Song is "Dixie Medley" - Banjo - Fred Von Epps - box is complete with lid and record

*Record 3 - Blue Box - Song is "In a kingdom of our own" - Gladys Rice - box has record and is just missing flat part on top of lid, the ring of the lid is intact

Please ask questions if you have any!

I am selling part of my mother's antique collection, she was in the antique business for years...if you have questions please let me know!

You can pick these items up or I can ship them to you for a minimal shipping charge, I would just find the most cost effective way to ship and charge you that amount."

[estott]

Honestly, that record description is far from the worst I've read.