Fear of losing interest and need Help?

[larryh]

Steve,

Sounds pretty familiar to me.. I had lot of every fine 40's console radios when Scotts, Meisners, Capeharts were truly fine instruments. Also the table model Zeinth and others. Most of them never worked more than a few weeks after spending good money getting them fixed. Then there was the RCA model with record changers that a friend of the family gave me and when I plugged it in it filled the room with black stinky smoke! So I gave up on vintage radios and phonographs and went mainly to either new, or mechanical versions. I also had the Candle stick phone but found it difficult to use and i possible to take notes with while on it.
I've given way more than my share of things to the dump when they seemed hopeless. Overall though these pesky wind up machines and records still hold an interest, even if over time they now and then loose some luster for a while. I got rid of a huge amount of records lately, but the ones that didn't sell are still here, and it is always amazing how I can drag a few out and they still appeal and I think, gee I am glad they didn't sell..

[EdisonSquirrel]

I will often go for days without playing records on my phonographs. That's because I have a finite number of records, and really don't want to listen to my favorites over and over. I find that I usually don't listen to the records that I listened to 30 years ago. However, I'm on the computer every day looking for "new" old records--on Youtube and elsewhere. Unfortunately, there are not enough old records for me on all these sites combined. Now if someone were to give me a collection consisting of thousands of hot '20s dance band records, male quartet records, 2- and 4-minute cylinders, single-faced Victors and Columbias, and all the other goodies, I would be one flying squirrel that would break the sound barrier to fly back to my machines for a prolonged listening orgy.

In the years immediately prior to the advent of the internet, I listened to my music somewhat infrequently as the days of finding old records in flea markets and antique shops had basically come to an end. When the internet came about and made the music available once again, my interest was rekindled and has not yet abated.



Rocky

[FellowCollector]

I used to think I wanted some of those way back, but after listening to a few and buying some records I could only stand so much "tinkling" music. A few discs and they all sounded alike to me at least.

I began noticing about 2 years ago that my interest in phonographs was decreasing just a bit as at that time I had found most of the models I was interested in. And, like phonofolks, I jumped into early disc music boxes with a passion as I'd always admired their delightfully resonant sound. I used to believe that most disc music boxes of the same size would likely sound the same but this is not at all true. There are an incredible number of factors that come into play (pun?) when discussing the sound produced by individual disc music boxes, even within the same manufacturer. Some combs tend to be tempered differently. For example, a softer comb produces more mellow sound whereas a harder comb would yield a brilliant and louder sound, generally speaking. A Regina short bedplate model produces more volume and a distinctly different tone than a long bedplate model. A Mira music box (which is my favorite) produces a very full tone with lots of volume and resonance. But, again, there are differences in comb tempering and soundboard design that could radically change the sound and acoustics. I have four of the larger Mira models, three of which use the exact same disc size and comb configuration (some are featured on my YouTube channel) and each one produces a distinctly different and noticeable tone. Yes, all music boxes produce a similar resonant "tinkling" sound that some folks might find incredibly boring after a while. But, for me, that primitive resonant sound is incredibly satisfying after a long day.

I still very much enjoy and appreciate my phonographs and player pianos very much. But I've diverted a little for a while. I guess it comes down to what you like to listen to on a given day. I really enjoy most any type of early mechanically produced music. But, again, I never really completely lost my interest in the phonographs and still keep my eyes open for the more interesting ones (and records!) to add to the collection.

I hope you will all forgive the slight diversion from the current topic! Best Wishes, Doug

[Edisonfan]

Don't sweat it, Doug. I don't mind if it goes, slightly off topic, as long as it's relevant. It's when it gets out of hand, or no longer pertains to the topic. Usually, when two people talk to each other, on a thread. Instead of privately, in a PM. That's what I don't like.

Anyway, I guess I just needed a break. I have been listening to my Edison machines. My 2 minute machine yesterday and my DD tonight. You really do appreciate them a lot more, when you have taken a break from them for a while. I think what it is with me, is that I am only enjoying my machines, and I should be sharing this enjoyment with other people. If I had a video camera, I would. Unfortunately, funds are tight at the moment, but soon. I will, with my next computer.

The other fear I have, is not contributing enough to this board. But, it's hard, when I have nothing to say. I guess really doesn't make that much of a difference. Unless of course I have something to say.

Paul