why are cylinder phonographs so hard to find?

[GrafonolaG50]

I am really wanting to buy a cylinder machine soon, but they are all always so expensive. Why is it almost impossible to find one for $300 or less. Almost all of the ones on ebay are anywhere from $400-$1000 or more. Are they really this rare? Would it be easier and cheaper just to build one from parts?

[gramophone78]

You may want to keep looking on Craig's List. There can be some great deals. However, you have to act fast. This can be an expensive hobby. Saving your money is also a good idea. $300 is not a lot in this hobby.

[De Soto Frank]

I would second the suggestion to watch Craig's List.

Generally speaking ( very generally ), Edison cylinder machines suffix "B" and later are not particularly "rare", in fact, the "Home" and the "Standard" are probably still the most plentiful and affordable of cylinder machines.

You should be able to find a decent, playable example of either model in the $300 to $400 range. By decent, I mean: complete, operable, with all the correct parts, and presentable enough to place right in your living room. For that price range, don't expect more than an original or repro 14" "witches hat" horn.

Now, that is a generalization... you will find many machines as described above for more $$$, and some for less.

if this is your first cylinder player, you would do well do to some research, perhaps attend a phonograph meet / show, and talk with some folks. I think you would do well to spend a little more on your first machine, and get one that is in good order. Once you become acquainted with them, perhaps you will want to take-on machines that are less expensive, but need more TLC.

Columbia machines can come with endemic problems related to deteriorated pot-metal castings, so again, for a first machine, you are probably best-off with an Edison "Home" or "Standard" B or "C".

Both machines were available with gearing to accomodate 2-minute and 4-minute cylinders. There were also two-minute-only versions.


When I bought my first cylinder player, I purchased it from a dealer on the West Coast (who is well-regarded). It is an Edison "Home B" with 2 & 4-minute gearing, and I asked to be set-up with: a repro 14" horn, C two-minute & H four-minute reproducers, an original Edison Recorder(in its box), and four blank ( shaved ) brown-wax cylinders. I paid a little over $700 for this about 7 years ago. Some folks might feel this was a bit steep, but everything I purchased was in first-class shape, ready-to-run, very well-packed, and I was (and still am) quite pleased with it, and have enjoy it since.

Now, all that said, in the intervening years, I have purchased two more Edison "Home" machines: one a "Banner B" 2-minute in rough shape, the other a "Home D" with 2 & 4 minute gears, a repro crane, and a 30 inch Tea-Tray Company red japanned morning-glory horn; and lastly, a "Standard B" 2-minute with 30" brass Superior horn. All of these machines were in the $250 to $350 range. None were as nice the first machine I described.

I would love to have an Edison Triumph or Opera, and a large Columbia cylinder machine, but these all bring pretty dear prices.

One more thing to consider - especially for your first machine, try to find something local enough that you can inspect it and hear it run before committing to it, and bring it home with you. Be very wary about buying on-line (e-bay) and having the machine shipped: if it is not packed carefully, it can get destroyed during shipping.

I would wrap-up by saying that any machine worth owning is not going to come "cheap", but if you do some homework and careful shopping, you should be able to make a reasonable purchase.


Good luck !

[Chuck]

Please keep in mind also that the value of
the U.S. dollar is decreasing very fast these days.

They are printing this fiat currency as fast as the
presses can roll, flooding the whole place with
trillions of little green pieces of paper that are
worth absolutely nothing.

So, your elusive $300 cylinder machine which you are
hoping for, is really about like a $150 machine was
only maybe 5 years ago.

Get ready, my friends, we are well on the way
towards the $100 loaf of bread.

Seriously, everything doubles, then doubles again
quite rapidly any more.

Chuck

[EdiBrunsVic]

All of the previous posts had good thoughts. My extra thought is to put a post on Yankee Trader. Perhaps a collector who has several cylinder phonographs may want to sell one. Another idea is go go a phonograph show (usually they are posted on the forum) if one is not too far from where you live.

[miker2001]

I am new to this hobby, but have collected things before. One thing I have learned is patience when it comes to collecting. Look at as many players as you can, learn the values, and I can nearly promise you, a good buy/value will eventually come your way.

[Jerry B.]

The best advice I can give is to buy a 2&4 minute player. Often new collectors buy a nice two minute player and then try to find the gearing to convert their machine to play four minute cylinders as well. Skip the headache and buy a 2&4 minute player to start with. The difference between a Model B Edison Standard two minute player and the same thing with the additional gearing is about $50. A 2&4 minute Edison Standard or Home is a good beginning machine. I prefer the Standard but I'm sure others prefer the Home. The Trader section of the Forum is a good place to search. Jerry Blais

[Jerry B.]

Cylinder players are not really hard to find. The prices of the entry level machines are not much different then when I started collecting back in the seventies. I have three ready to go to my next sale and they will range in price from $325 to $550 depending on horn options. Jerry Blais

[bbphonoguy]

Almost all of the ones on ebay are anywhere from $400-$1000 or more. Are they really this rare? Would it be easier and cheaper just to build one from parts?

I think the reason ebay prices are too high (for lots of items, not just phonographs), is because sellers are asking what they wish their stuff was worth, or are asking what some neighbor told them it was worth. I refer to it as a seller trying to "fund his retirement".

[Skihawx]

I remember paying $265 for an Edison Gem with five cylinders about 1978. It was a flea market, I was about 17 and I asked how much for the GEM? He said 275. I said will you take 250? He replied, "I mean two-hundred-seventy-five", sarcastically. I said, "I know, I mean two-hundred-fifty". In the end that machine still cost me $265. And that was paid with money from a paper route in the 1970's. I think there was a much greater interest in "antiques" in general back then and prices in comparable dollars were higher.