The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Why don't we establish this thread as a place to offer excess machines to new collectors? You put your contact info on here and what you might have available - don't list a price. Then it is for you to determine whether or not to donate or sell cheaply your unwanted machines to someone starting out.

This isn't listed in the Want Ads, because the idea is to establish some sort of communication with new collectors and to encourage them in their new endeavor. If the item is just listed for sale, you don't have the control or interaction to determine whether or not you want to be of help. Hopefully, other collectors won't take advantage and misuse this... Just an idea.

I did something similar a few months ago. I posted a free working Victrola with records on Craigslist. The only condition of this offer was that the recipient had to be under 18 years old. I had two responses that met that condition and gave it away to the first one that could make if over. They drove over an hour to come get it. The boy was 14 and VERY excited. Granted, it was an off brand machine but it worked great. I did have one person call that he wanted it for himself ( He was in his 50's ) and asked how much he could get for it. Needless to say, that call didn't last long.

I like the thought of helping a young (like Phono-Phan's idea) collector and would also consider providing a few records that would go with the phonograph.

I did provide a couple large boxes of records and a bag of needles to get him started. I also gave a nice working Cecilian upright to a friend that was starting an antique shop as a kind of a "Good Luck" present.

New Collector here! I would be more than happy to take your phonographs off your hands

Well, I'm not exactly "new", but I'll squat down to the height of a 12 year-old if you're handing out Class M phonographs.