The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thank You!

Curt A wrote:I wish I had the foresight back in the '70s to buy a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing basket case for $5000 that I ran across in the back of a garage, but at that time coming up with $5000 was like coming up with several hundred thousand now...

I was a "car guy" long before I started collecting phonographs. Curt's post reminded me of a similar opportunity to buy a gull wing 300SL. And why didn't I buy it? Because I didn't like the color. I thought a gull wing should be a silver with red interior only car. The 300 SL that I found for $8500 was a mud ugly brown with beautiful tan interior. The profit I could have made on that car could have funded every phonograph I ever desired. Oh, well. I can recall several missed opportunities because I wasn't ready to take a huge leap. I have owned several vintage Corvettes, a Shelby GT-350 (yes the real thing, no clones back in the day), and plenty more collectible cars, trucks and bikes. Currently the garage is empty with just a vintage Norton motorcycle. What comes next might be a car, truck, bike or phono. Like Gregg said, the key to collecting is knowledge. You need to be prepared to buy, have cash available, and persistence. Scour the local antique stores, Craigslist ads, newspaper classifieds. Hit the flea markets and garage sales, this stuff is still out there as many post right here. And yes, there are great deals right here on the Yankee Trader. Good luck and don't quit. Joe

Thank You Joe!

One more thought... Don't get caught up in the "buying for an investment" idea, as nothing is guaranteed to hold it's price or desirability. As younger people become collectors, they have entirely different ideas about what is valuable to them and it may not be the same as what you think is great. Years ago I decided not to buy anything that I didn't personally like, whether it became worth $20k or dropped to zero... That way, no matter what the market turns into, you only have the things you actually like... I love records, but now I never buy a record without listening to it first. In the past, I bought records for titles not knowing what they actually sounded like or labels that I didn't have, which led to collecting boxes of records that I can't stand playing... Now, that doesn't happen and it's the same with machines...

Yea, no I am not buying for investment. I am playing them. In fact I have a Channel on YouTube.

Although, I have gone a bit more crazy with cylinder records, then I have with 78's.

I found a really cool Columbia Phonograph at a good price on eBay, however due to certain financial means. I have to pass on it, until I can pay off some bills. Plus, I am still waiting on my tax refund. SIGH!

Good things come to those who wait, Grasshopper.

Thank You!

I did a little more research. It's a Columbia AU that has the modified turntable spindle. It would need to have the reproducer rebuilt.

Edisonfan wrote:I did a little more research. It's a Columbia AU that has the modified turntable spindle. It would need to have the reproducer rebuilt.

Put that item in you saved or watch list and age it a few days or weeks till you get your return. Sometimes if they do not sell you can E mail and ask to buy it . Since it did not go for the asking price see if you can get it cheaper if still available. Worth a try. I have gotten a few items like that. Tom