The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi! Pretty new to the site, and the whole turntable/phonograph business. I wanted to buy my first phonograph, and came across a website called "Best Phonographs." I can't link to it, I guess, so if some of you could do me a favor and look up in Google "bestphonographs.com" I think the first result is the website. I was told that it I shouldn't buy off of it. Can someone tell me why? They look pretty nice. Thanks.

That is all Crapophone junk. Not a vintage phono on that site.

Well, it depends on what you want. At first glance, they seem to sell two things. First, various types of machines to play records back electronically. Nothing wrong with that, as such.

However, they also sell "reproduction" machines designed to look like older phonographs/gramophones, and which play records using steel needles. The usual term for these machines is "crapophones". These are assembled from a hodge-podge of old parts that would never have been used together and are cheaply made. They're fine as a decoration, but horrible as actual, useable phonographs.

If you want a decent, basic phonograph, try your local Craigslist and find a Victor or Columbia upright or table top machine. You'll probably pay less for those than a "crapophone" and you'll be happier in the long run.

Phototone wrote:That is all Crapophone junk. Not a vintage phono on that site.

Dittoes on that... There are plenty of knowledgeable collectors on this site who can direct you to something worthwhile... if you are not sure, run it by us before committing to buy something.

These are assembled from a hodge-podge of old parts that would never have been used together and are cheaply made. They're fine as a decoration, but horrible as actual, useable phonographs.

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that was true some years back now the crapo's are completely new icl the motors i recently got one together with a small collection of phono's and ofcourse it was busted
quite amazing i could bent the governor worm gear axel with my hands no wonder the motor made a run

its trash outside and inside!

i got one for free and i could not even repair it to give it away
the only useful bits where the governor springs and weights

tino

Welcome to this great hobby. I would check out the Yankee Trader section of this site. I would buy from members here without much hesitation at all. What kind of phonograph are you looking for? Where are you located? There are a few large phonograph shows around the country. The biggest one is in Union, Illinois the second weekend in June.

I would add to what others have said. Also, take your time. Be cautious. Ask lots of questions. Don't buy the first one you see no matter how good it looks and.... as others have said.... BEWARE of the Crapophone.

The electric machines are as much a waste of time as the crapophones. They are notoriously badly constructed with underpowered motors, prone to failure and fitted with cartridges completely inadequate for the playback of vintage records. I would also like to take the time, again, to point out the dangers of owning a crapophone. The machines from India, Pakistan and China are products of an extremely exploitative industry. The workers are subject to harsh conditions in poorly ventilated factories, often with dangerous chemicals from which they are given no protection. It has also been recorded that children are employed in these factories. Buying a crapophone simply for decoration is not a harmless act. Aside from the harsh nature of the business, it reflects poorly on our hobby as one which preserves the past for the appreciation of future generations. For many reasons, it lowers us all.