The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Having only four machines, they don't spread enough where I ever need to regroup them (although they certainly would if they could. They have minds of their own for sure!)

Do you prefer 78s, cylinders or Diamond Discs?

I prefer 78's. They are easy to find, cheap and their quality is pretty good.

What was the most recent machine that you acquired for your collection?

My newest machine (also my oldest ) is my Edison Standard D that I purchased from Jerry Blais.

Upright, console, tabletop or portable, and why?

winsleydale wrote:My newest machine (also my oldest ) is my 1902 Edison Standard D that I purchased from Jerry Blais.

The Edison Standard D was introduced in late 1908.

George P.

:O My bad! I must have misread something along the way then. Let me edit that.

winsleydale wrote:My newest machine (also my oldest ) is my Edison Standard D that I purchased from Jerry Blais.

Upright, console, tabletop or portable, and why?

Upright for me. I think they look very classy in any setting.

Do you use the "foes" option on the board to limit exposure to any members?

I did not know there was such an option and I do not think I would use it even now that I do. There are some forum members I shake my head at and other that cause me to giggle but generally I enjoy the comments and helpful hints that are shared on the TM forum.

Have you ever helped someone join the TM obsession by selling a machine cheep or fixing one for nothing?

Bruce

Not a machine, but I have given a few records and needles to friends whose families have a machine, but nothing to play on it. I have also recommended nice starter machines such as a portable, VV-IV or a VV-VI.
Do you prefer the original, as found finish possibly with slight alligatoring, or does it have to look the way it did when it left West Orange, Camden, etc.

Call me a heretic if you will, but I want everything to look as shiny and new as possible. I like to think of my antiques less as survivors of a bygone era, and more as a window into that era.

Have you ever waited weeks for a crucial part to arrive, only to wreck it in your haste and have to order it again?

winsleydale wrote:Call me a heretic if you will, but I want everything to look as shiny and new as possible. I like to think of my antiques less as survivors of a bygone era, and more as a window into that era.

Have you ever waited weeks for a crucial part to arrive, only to wreck it in your haste and have to order it again?

Not yet, but I've come close:

Last fall, I finally received my beautifully repaired AO carriage from Jean-Paul Agnard, and in my haste to quickly assemble the top works and tune the motor, I inadvertently forgot to let the mainspring unwind.

Fortunately, I quickly jammed the fleshy part of my left hand - the web between my thumb and forefinger - into the bull gear and its mate, averting any damage.

A seriously stupid mistake.

What will be your next acquisition?

Fran