The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I would trade most of my machines for an EMG Mark Xb (oversize).

Don't think that I need to worry about finding one anytime soon.

Have 3:

1. Minty Regina Hexaphone
2. Polyphone Gem
3. Edison Class M

Brian, thanks for bringing that DecaDisc to my attention. But at $48k it's about an order of magnitude above what I'd consider paying for it. Rotsa ruck to the seller. I suspect this will sell off-eBay for a lesser, negotiated price. (Adios, eBay fees.) If it sells at all. I guess it's gonna hafta remain on the top of my "wish list" instead of in my parlor. If any of our deep-pocket collectors out there goes for this, please keep us posted.

larryh wrote:
That Keenophone your talking about, does someone have some photos of it? I saw a machine this weekend that I couldn't find a name on but have seen before somewhere. It was a sort of an upright desk with the turntable in the opening where the desk would be and above that the horn was built into a top portion above the turntable. What is that?

Larry

Keen-o-phones:




Not sure about the desk phono...I know Columbia made phono/desks, but that doesn't sound like anything I've seen before.

Cool collection you have there! I don't think I ever saw one around here. Is there any advantage in sound to the horn above the turn table?

Very cool Keen O Phone pics. Wow!

What do they go for and from what time period are they, I assume early 20's? I really don't know much about them.

Thank for posting!

PS: I note that virtually ALL OF YOU GUYS are not reading the title of this thread before posting, What one machine would you want if you could have it?

You are all naming two or three or more. I guess it shows how badly we all suffer from the disease.

Nice Keen-O-Phones! Once I got over the shock I thought how plain my Keen-O-Phone #1 looks... but I love it.

larryh wrote:Cool collection you have there! I don't think I ever saw one around here. Is there any advantage in sound to the horn above the turn table?

I only wish it were my collection. I believe the machines were pre-1920. I think much of what Keen-o-phone did was an effort to get around Victor patents. They did a few odd things with the tone arm being driven a feed screw at times, and a few other strange configurations. I don't know too much about the company. I actually think the configuration and the connection between the horn/lid tonearm/connection to the lid, would be a cause more problems in terms of sound quality than any benfit. That, and it seems to be a horned machine for all intents and purposes, so I would think for the purchaser of the time, something that actually was a strike against them, than a plus.

Not the most common machines, but are certainly very cool.

I was wondering if the Deca Disc would make it to this forum. Yes, we have talked about it before and Greg, as a collector of pre 1933 record changers I must be crazy to put this up for sale but I have something else that I want more than this right now that cost more than what I am asking for the DD. If it sells I will probably regret it later because I can't replace it. It is the only one known to exist. What are probably just as rare are the pamphlet and coin. How do you put a price on something like this if none have sold. The big jukebox auction down in Texas I had jukes for 100 grand so who is to say what is too much. I wish we were back thirty years ago when all the things that we collect were not wanted. Only light up jukes were worth money and 10-50's and 9-55's were $50 for the taking. I missed out on the cheap outside horn era so I collected something I liked and could afford. Now most things I like are priced in the stratosphere and I cut back my buying to a trickle. Sorry I can't put this in your living room Greg as I know you would appreciate it for what it is but thanks for your wishes. I have two guys who are very interested in it but we'll see what happens. I am posting the coin which I found on Ebay!!

But there is another DecaDisc machine existing (and working). There is a link to a video of it in another section here. Carsten took a video of it in California. So, seems there are at least two of them around. As far as price goes, it's only worth what somebody is willing to pay. Rarity doesn't always determine value and I think most of us know that even though something may be extremely rare (like the MINT 1948 Seeburg home library I bought on ebay for $100), it isn't necessarily going to pay off your mortgage (I'd be lucky to get $1500 for my SHL once it's restored). Incidentally, I'm a juke and changer fanatic myself...and I have no intention of parting with my Home Library.

Sean