The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If I gave her a diamond stylus and/or a big Diamond Disk, I'd be afraid to close my eyes at night.

Jerry B. wrote:If I gave her a diamond stylus and/or a big Diamond Disk, I'd be afraid to close my eyes at night.

I once made a variation of the diamond stylus suggestion to my wife too. I can confirm that while in her case diamonds and sapphires are high on the Christmas wish list, either of those attached to a phonograph reproducer is a no-go!

I removed a couple of cranks, squeezed things a bit and the the spring driven XVI is in the lineup in my basement. Some tough decisions will have to be made when I find that Vernis Martin Victrola that's just around the corner. Jerry Blais

Awesome! Good to hear you were able to make room for it, Jerry.

I'm sure DeeDee was thrilled that you brought home another "dust catcher".... .I think maybe you should try and just collect Berliners. then you can stack then up and fit lots in a small space.Wait!!!......I think you have a Berliner. I just haven't seen it yet....... .

Jerry B. wrote:I didn't realize that some collectors had a preference until I noticed that spring driven Credenzas were an easier sell than an electric Credenza. Is that because record collectors see the Credenza as a utilitarian device and a spring powered machine is safer around the house?

I figure that a lot of people prefer windup machines to electric ones simply because the windup versions fit in with the whole 'mechanical' nature of old phonographs that we all love, i.e. the music is being produced completely mechanically without the aid of electricity. Also the old Victor motors do have some audible a/c hum to them, whereas a windup doesn't. You can do tweaks here and there to reduce the motor hum a lot but there's always going to be some there, more noticeable the closer you are to the machine. As far as safety I doubt anybody has concerns about their electrics, at least after they've gone thru them and fixed any frayed insulation etc. I also fix and collect really old tube TV sets, now THOSE are devices that should not be operated unattended, due to possible fire dangers.

I have a very early Electrola VV XVI from 1913. It has a serial number in the 2,000's. The machine is Mahogany. I also have a very early VV XVI from 1912. It is fumed Oak. I decided to keep them both. The only way I would sell these is if I found a nicer example. I don't know how many times I sold something and regretted it. Jerry, I'm glad that you decided to keep them both. Congrats on your find.
Harvey Kravitz