The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

gramophone78 wrote:Although just my opinion.....why is this thread even on here... .

Someone is bored and wants to stir the pot?

At least it is not pointed at me this time.

Does it make sense to destroy a good original machine for parts...? No. On the other hand, what is the difference if you add an original cygnet crane mount to an existing original machine?

A lot of cygnet machines had crane mounts added by dealers or owners to upgrade them as time went on... time is still going on, so why not upgrade a machine now if you have the correct parts? If you have a two minute machine and come across a 2/4 conversion that is original, why wouldn't you add it to your machine to improve its usefulness?

Not everyone wants multiple variations of the same machine, for example: how many different models of Edison Standards are there, with how many different reproducers and carriages, horn cranes - original or aftermarket, different case decals, horn variations from all brass to morning glory to cygnet, original Edison horns or aftermarket, and then if you had to have one of each in both 2 minute and 2/4 minute or 4 minute only configurations you could have a complete house full of just Edison Standards... I think you get my point.

Curt A,
You are quite correct in your statement that, since machines were upgraded from the day they were bought new, there is nothing inherently wrong with using original parts to modify a machine.
My personal view is that, as I have other machines that are fitted with Cygnet parts, I am not going to be the one who, in 2015, drills holes in a perfectly original machine's case when it is not necessary.
Regards,
Alistair.

Curt A wrote:...you could have a complete house full of just Edison Standards

Curt - I'm looking for the downside in that.

- Martin

Allistair, I understand completely...

martinola wrote:

Curt A wrote:...you could have a complete house full of just Edison Standards

Curt - I'm looking for the downside in that.

- Martin

Martin, the only downside would be that they are Edison Standards...

Another way to look at this is that that one machine is being sacrificed to put together many machines and making several people happy that their machine is finally complete. I am against it however.

Andersun wrote:Another way to look at this is that that one machine is being sacrificed to put together many machines and making several people happy that their machine is finally complete. I am against it however.

Yes, but a historically correct example is destroyed to complete a few cobbled together machines. The original post asked about a complete and matching original machine with matching serial numbers etc, and to split that up is sacrilege.
Andreas