The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So I just recently got my third wind up phonograph. Up until this point, all my record players have had unique qualities which were the reason I had them. The Victrola plays early 78's, the Edison plays 2 minute cylinders, the stereo has a 3 speed turntable, and the one I have to plug into the computer can be nice for adding music to my ipod.

Well, I just bought a Brunswick 207 (there are pictures in another thread about it), and it plays Edison Diamond Discs and early 78's. To me, this makes my Victrola a bit obsolete in my collection. I think both the Brunswick and the Victrola's sounds are comparable, and I only have my bedroom (college student living at home yet), so I don't need one in each room.

How do you justify having multiple machines?

You have multiple ears. Why not multiple machines?

CarGuyZM10 wrote:So I just recently got my third wind up phonograph. Up until this point, all my record players have had unique qualities which were the reason I had them. The Victrola plays early 78's, the Edison plays 2 minute cylinders, the stereo has a 3 speed turntable, and the one I have to plug into the computer can be nice for adding music to my ipod.

Well, I just bought a Brunswick 207 (there are pictures in another thread about it), and it plays Edison Diamond Discs and early 78's. To me, this makes my Victrola a bit obsolete in my collection. I think both the Brunswick and the Victrola's sounds are comparable, and I only have my bedroom (college student living at home yet), so I don't need one in each room.

How do you justify having multiple machines?

Good question. 4 machines ..here

CarGuyZM10 wrote: How do you justify having multiple machines?

I diagnose you are a "machine collector" from now on. This is considered incurable.

Starkton wrote:

CarGuyZM10 wrote: How do you justify having multiple machines?

I diagnose you are a "machine collector" from now on. This is considered incurable.

His future wife may determine the disease is terminal.

ok, lets put it this way, im 15 with 8 machines, along with hundreds if not thousands of records, a turntable/stereo system, a homemade gramophone im working on and a emg horn crammed mostly into one room, and i can say, im not slowing down my aqusitions and my parents arent complaining yet so im sure you can get away with a decent collection, just try to keep it organised and dont let it go out of control (arrangement wise)

People have multiple machines because of the joy they bring and satisfying curiosity about the evolution of the art and the twists and turns that has taken. Simple as that. (I now have an even dozen!) And it is a lifetime process. Collections evolve as we learn more over time, develop core interests, and weed out and trade up to refine the collection.

It can be a bit addictive, but I would not get worried unless you have so many that the clutter begins to interfere with your life or relationships. I wish I had begun much earlier in life, as you have Car Guy, as I missed so many years when I could have been enjoying the hobby.

Clay

What are you worried about, you need two more before you can synchronize them and start to enjoy 5.1 surround sound!

Initially, I was determined to only collect machines that had unique purposes. For example, one portable, one orthophonic, one Pathé, one cylinder, etc.

That didn't last long... What can I say, they speak to me!

I think I have 10 machines so far and I haven't even started with tabletops or cylinder machines yet. I like that they all look different. I like the differences un sound. I read once it was only worth collecting edison and victors I am so glad I didn't listen. In fact, I think the Victors look so similar it is my plan to collect the different finishes.