The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Since I'm posting this morning, I thought I'd throw another idea out there. Being that I enjoy making things, and being that I enjoy phonographs, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to begin producing them in the near future.

I had this idea when I realized that there are good men out there making new cylinders, and mr. Borri is said to be working on new 78s and DDs, but to date I have not heard of any plans to produce new machines.

Now I understand the whole Crapophone thing, and that's not anywhere near what I'm after. Nor do I intend to simply do a better job than India of impersonating real brands. What my goal is, is to design and build my own, unique phonographs, even down to the motors (although I suspect I will basically be copying existing motor designs for the sake of convenience), and marketing them rightfully as new machines rather than antiques. I hope that, with time, my skill will develop to the point where my quality will match or even exceed Victor, Edison and the like. I'm talking like really high end stuff, although you'd see much more tigerstripe maple from me than walnut and mahogany. That could be like a brand distinction or something, along with wooden reproducers.

Such grand plans I have. Is anybody already doing this? Anybody have thoughts, opinions, criticisms? Would this somehow be an affront to collecting? Let me know what ya think.

I think it´s a grand idea and can´t wait to see what comes of it!!! It´ll only add prestige and awe at already existing 100-yr old machines that have survivived against all odds... and maybe widen the circles who´re interested in this universe!

That's kind of my thinking. Especially considering the progress with the records; it seem like selling feed to buy cattle when nobody is making the machines, since the supply of records will go up but the ability to play them will go down.

I guess the $64 question is: "Will demand exceed design and production costs?"


Will this be entirely all-new and original design and engineering, or will certain parts ( hardware and machinery ) be sourced elsewhere, is was done by lesser manufacturers back in the hey-day of the talking machine ?


As long is we're just burning-up ones and zeroes here, I'd say "Anything it possible..."


Some of the hurdles you would face include materials-supply issues, particularly with the cabinets: old-growth wood, with lovely figuring is nowhere near as readily available as it was before WW- II, so finding that beautiful wood that Victor bought and stocked by the railroad car-load will be very challenging indeed.

As for engineering, I think the major players brought the wind-up phonograph to its zenith, again, before WW - II. Between powerhouses like Victor, EMG, and even Edison, the acoustic phonograph was developed about as far as it could / needed to go.

With the benefit of computer sampling and analyzing technology, perhaps some refinements can be made with the sound reproduction, but I think the major achievements are behind us ?

Then there's the spectre of any patents that might still be lurking out there, for which you would need to pay a royalty to someone...

Then there's the economics... given the development and initial manufacturing costs to create a production prototype, once that is achieved, there's the matter of production costs, and finally, the price tag to the end-buyer.

For a lateral-disc player, I think the unit cost of a new machine would far exceed the fair market value for a serviced and ready-to-use Orthophonic Credenza ( say $500-$800 ).


All those challenges pointed-out, I think there MIGHT be a market or at least interest in a new and improved cylinder player, capable of playing both two and four-minute cylinders.

As I understand it, there are only one or two models of Amberola capable of playing two minute cylinders that feature the improved all-gear drive, and these are rare and expensive. And they don't have an external horn ( desired by many collectors ).

So, ALL that said, if you just want to build things in your workshop for your own satisfaction, and sell them off, that is one scenario ( and reasonably justifiable).

I'm afraid I can't see this happening on any sort of "production" scale.

I think there's too many "good" to "excellent" original machines out there, priced for less than a new-production machine would have to sell for to make the new product attractive to what must be an incredibly limited market.

I hate to sound negative, but the economics of it don't look promising.

I think you'd have a better market making and marketing quality thorn and fibre needles.

I think I would also agree with what's said above and if someone reproduces good fibre, thorn and maybe tungstone needles I can say I would DEFINATLY be a reliable customer. The other thing I would recommend is repro phono accessories like horn drivers, lamps, auto-winders, repeaters/ auto stop attachments and special upgrade reproducers. The upgrade reproducers would be fun and interesting in my opinion, especially for edison diamond disc machines. Good luck with anything you choose to do.
-Tom

Let me make clear that I have absolutely zero intentions of making this a "production" sort of thing I am basically thinking of me, in a workshop, with hand tools for the most part. Maybe building a couple per year for those who have more money than brains Of course, the prototype would probably just be regular flat-sawn oak, with little embellishment, just as a proof of concept; I will either keep that one for sentimental reasons, or sell it cheaply.

But for sure, this will be no factory thing; more of a hobby. And, as with any hobby, it's perfectly fine if it ends up costing me money. They always do.

I realize now that my OP did say something along the lines of production. That was inaccurate.

Just keep in mind, "talk is cheap"... so kick it around a lot before opening your wallet.


I think there are many of us who tinker in our work-shops, and see if we can't improve on the old gramophone...


And there are some break-throughs... just have to keep a bit of perspective on the enterprise.

You're right, of course. I just sit around thinking to myself, "Wouldn't life be grand if I had a maple phonograph with brass fittings to match my rifle?"

Let me know when you get your iron foundry up and
running and you get the pattern made for the
Edison class M bedplates, and start pumping them out.