So how do you build an interesting collection?

[Phonofreak]

Gadgets, gizmos, memorabilia, and old paper will round out a collection. It will be more diversified.
Harvey Kravitz

[schweg]

Gadgets, gizmos.... hmm I think there's a song title in there somewhere.. No wait, a book title!! That's it!!

[Brad]

For me it has as much to do with the hunt as for the item. I really enjoy searching for, finding, and acquiring my next machine. I always strive for "a good deal", and will pass on a machine that I feel is over priced. When I started collecting, I bought everything I came across. As my collection has grown, I have become a little more selective.

I don't really care if my collection is interesting or not. To some it is rather drab, to others it is overwhelming, and to me, it is many years of memories and lots of fun to play, tinker, restore, and show off.

[coyote]

I'll also agree that I collect for myself and not others, so I could care less about how others view my collection. I like and enjoy the machines I have, and that's what really matters. If your interests lead to a diverse collection, that's great, but if you REALLY love just one model and collect five of the same one, well, YOU like them! I suppose we're diverging a bit from the original question here.

It can be helpful for a beginning collector (or even others) to view machines in books or at a show and come up with a "wish list" of machines within their price range that they hope to own someday and use it as a guideline. For example, before I knew much about the variety of Edison DD machines, I bought a BC-34 in middling condition that's now relegated to the basement. I'd have to give that machine away. If I had researched DD machines and come up with a list of what I found most interesting, I never would have bought it. While it may add diversity to have a relatively common and uninteresting (to me, now) console, it's the only regret I have.

[antique1973]

When I first started collecting I bought any phonograph I could find in my area. I now
seek out Victors and Edisons although I keep myself open for rare models of other makes.
My main goal was to find machines capable of playing most of the formats, i.e. 78's, DD's
4 min and 2 min cylinders. I have met my goal for the most part, so now I am looking to
upgrade and then sell the previous model in a particular category. For example, if I was to come
across a Victor VI then I would sell my Victor III. If I came across an XVI in American walnut,
I would sell my L-Door, and so on. If I had more space I may do things differently, but for the
most part this is working out well. I also keep an eye out for possible rehab machines that I
can turnover for a profit but I am not as active in this area now due to other obligations.

[SonnyPhono]

Everyone is different in their tastes and are attracted to the hobby for different reasons. I have been more interested in the actual phonographs than records, gadgets or ephemera. I find the phonographs themselves interesting and for me, the earlier the better regardless of format. Unfortunately, I have only been in the hobby for three years and have had two kids in the meantime so my pockets aren't deep enough to build an "interesting" collection in my eyes.

Like others have mentioned, I have to stick to a fairly tight budget and do plenty of hunting to find deals. The hunt is a big part of the fun for me. I also will buy just about any phonograph if priced right due to it's poor condition. I have tried to stick to a rule that I buy, fix, then resell to fund the other phonographs I want for my permanent collection. I don't plan on always having this rule, but my wife will need some more coaxing before I can change it.

I do think that recently I have really taken a liking to phonographs with a story or their original paperwork, etc. It adds to the intrigue to narrow down where a phonograph came from, who owned it and to have any other details or documentation that goes along with a machine.