'Worst Phonograph Description On Craigslist' contest

[JohnM]

Don't you think that a "serious buyer" should likewise require a serious seller?

Currently on Lynchburg, Virginia Craigslist:

"Hi. i have a 1904 phonogragh deseigned by thomas edison. This phonogragh takes the canister records.
This phonogragh also happends to have 150+ records for it. One sold at a state auction for 5400.00 im looking to sell this one for 4500.00
its in flawless condition with original parts. id be willing to bend on the price but not much. u know its from that era becuz it has bronze bolts.
Plus it comes with orignial documentation.
Just call 434-944-2700 if interested. No spam. Serious buyers only"

[Nat]

u know its from that era becuz it has bronze bolts.

Well, if it's really the first Bronze Age machine discovered, it's worth every penny!

[antique1973]

Speaking of sellers that can't be serious:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/atq/2548492456.html


Victrola 1908 - $5000 (south central downtown)

Date: 2011-08-15, 1:58PM PDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

1908 Victrola, perfect condition works great, crank lasts entire record, cherry wood, four door, original hardware,hinges
original ensignia's, one of a kind from grandmother call xxx xxx xxxx

[JohnM]

Shown with the requisite MGM record on the turntable (or Ricochet or some yellow label not of the correct time period!)

[antique1973]

Shown with the requisite MGM record on the turntable (or Ricochet or some yellow label not of the correct time period!)

Reminds me of when I went to look at a machine one time and the seller demonstrated with
a vinyl record! I was actually impressed that the motor could plow through a soft vinyl
disc without stalling.

[gramophoneshane]

Shown with the requisite MGM record on the turntable (or Ricochet or some yellow label not of the correct time period!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-x317LiUkQ[/youtube]

[gramophoneshane]

Shown with the requisite MGM record on the turntable (or Ricochet or some yellow label not of the correct time period!)

Reminds me of when I went to look at a machine one time and the seller demonstrated with
a vinyl record! I was actually impressed that the motor could plow through a soft vinyl
disc without stalling.

Vinyl can sound great on an acoustic machine.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFdYALD4Ygw[/youtube]

[antique1973]

Shown with the requisite MGM record on the turntable (or Ricochet or some yellow label not of the correct time period!)

Reminds me of when I went to look at a machine one time and the seller demonstrated with
a vinyl record! I was actually impressed that the motor could plow through a soft vinyl
disc without stalling.

Vinyl can sound great on an acoustic machine.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFdYALD4Ygw[/youtube]

I should have mentioned the owner was using a destructive steel needle. Your video does sound excellent. Is that a special stylus for vinyl?

[1923VictorFan]

Ouch! The content is painful and the grammar horrific. Why must we retired English Teachers - Collectors be subjected to such torture?

[gramophoneshane]

Is that a special stylus for vinyl?

Yes, they're a steel needle called Trailer needles. They look a little bit like a bent spear tipped needle but the underside of the tip is also V shaped to ride in the groove. I guess this was to distribute the stylus pressure over a larger surface area of the groove. They also work quite well with an electric pick-up on acetates.
The picture below shows a couple different packets they came in, & a blurb at the bottom of the kiddy record section in the 1952 HMV record catalogue. There's a couple needles there too, but my cheap camera is pretty hopeless at close-ups, so you wont see them in any great detail.
I'm not sure if Victor made these too, but I don't think they did??