The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Antique phonographs with antique automobiles, what a great combination! If you enjoy playing your portable phonograph at car shows feel free to share!

I'll start us out:
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I went to a local car show this past weekend. I don't have an antique car but I still love going up to see all the unique/vintage vehicles. I brought my 1922 VV-50 portable, it was a great hit with the crowd! I talked with a lot of people who were very interested in the music and mechanical phonograph, especially when I told them how old it was.

People were particularly impressed by how great the old records sound; hardly any scratching or static. I spoke with several individuals who also owned an old mechanical phonographs that had been their grandparents. They said it didn't sound very good, which gave me the opportunity to inform them on only using a needle once and where to buy replacements. It turns out they were still using the original needle!

Who knows, maybe seeing/hearing the VV-50 will spark someone's interest in antique phonographs and introduce new enthusiasts to our hobby.

The event organizer said he's hoping I come back next year to play my phonograph near the registration tent! Maybe someday I will even have an antique car to transport it with, lol.
Thanks for looking,

I have owned classic cars for over 40 years, and always take a portable with a few dance or jazz records to accompany the picnic :

Good for you both. It is things like this that will keep our hobby alive.

Clay

Not unusual at all, one of my customers recently talked me out of an early 1921 VV-50 that he plans to carry in his 1925 Franklin. I have for years has a VV-35 living in my 1925 Model T Ford. Last big car show I spotted at least three machines displayed along with the cars, one was being played.

I took a Brunswick Panatrope portable to an R/C helicopter meet last May.

It was amazing to see how many people could not understand the machine or how it worked.

It was, admittedly, an odd thing to bring to a model meet, but I usually bring a small stationary steam engine to power my lights at night, so they all know I am a bit different...

Nice player, but I think your suit is AWESOME! Were did you get your duds? Regards, Johnny

RAK402 wrote:I took a Brunswick Panatrope portable to an R/C helicopter meet last May.

It was amazing to see how many people could not understand the machine or how it worked.

It was, admittedly, an odd thing to bring to a model meet, but I usually bring a small stationary steam engine to power my lights at night, so they all know I am a bit different...

That's a good idea, you can make the helicopter dance to the phonograph's music!

I also bring my VV-50 to R/C aircraft events, it's fun trying to fly in sync with the music.

Johnny Smoke wrote:Nice player, but I think your suit is AWESOME! Were did you get your duds? Regards, Johnny

Thanks Johnny,
It's a modern 'J. Ferrar' 3 button suit with a classic fit. The shirt is an 1890s reproduction made by Frontier Classics and has the old fashioned club collar, which has been starched stiff as cardboard. The bowler is made by 'Hats in the Belfry' in Maryland. The only true antique is my pocket watch, a 1908 Waltham.

Player-Tone wrote:The only true antique is my pocket watch, a 1908 Waltham.

Nice choice, I'm wearing my 1877 Waltham William Ellery today

What is that building?

Jerry