The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A monument to bad taste of an almost Stalinesque dimension.

I sure get a kick from looking at these crapophones. To be honest, I have one in my collection. I paid $50.00 for it at a yard sale. Actually, it's one of the more attractive ones. To me, it fits in the history of the phonograph. What gets me torqued is when sellers proclaim it to be original. On the ones from China, I love their version of English. That always cracks me up. Sometimes there are legitimate machines that look like crapophones. The second edition of the Compendium show a lot of oddball machines. That has provided me with a lot of knowledge about these machines. Also, Eric Reiss's book shows you what to look for in identifying crapophones. I live near Seattle and all kinds of really cool European machine come my way. I have a few of these European machines in my collection. That said, knowledge is power.
Harvey Kravitz

How about this one?



I also have a photo of another weird crap-o-phones, usually made by Asian (Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans) people. but I have to check it out on my computer at my house - I'm now at the office where I'm doing public services.

Phonofreak wrote: Sometimes there are legitimate machines that look like crapophones.

Of which the machine pictured immediately above would count as it's brethren, no?

Not in the strict sense a crapophone.

Here's a Franken-Phone I made by myself some time ago. The soundbox, decal, motor, and turntable came from Columbia Portable model No.203, and the body/crank is from Indian Crap-o-phone. The sound would come out from the door in front of the body. The motor has a severe flutter problems. so I don't use this machine often.

transformingArt - you made that? I like it!

I love that Furtwangler label in the photo, Transforming Art!

just seen on ebay Australia: I was searching for more ugly crapophones, but couldn't let this go - it is a listing for a worn out looking HMV needle tin.

"This item is well sort after globley by collectors.and is a genuin antique.

this is sutible for " His Masters Voice " LP record turntables.

item : genuin loud tone needles in genuin box"

Take a look at this nice fix!

I love that extension 'speaker' and the angle on the needle is out of this world. Please, please, post more! I love this thread!