The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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"

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!

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

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

JohnM wrote: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.

JohnM wrote: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]

antique1973 wrote:

JohnM wrote: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]

gramophoneshane wrote:

antique1973 wrote:

JohnM wrote: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?

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

antique1973 wrote: 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??