The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

As we draw near to the end of 2015, it would be nice to see how we can reflect and discuss some of our great finds over the year, challenges in restorations, and some of those not so great purchases, and some goals in collecting for 2016.

I will begin by saying it was a good year for me, but at the same time, almost every machine had some catch, a repair needed here and there (missing parts etc.).

My best find this year was a Victrola VV-VIII, all it needed was to slap on a Victor Exhibition (rebuilt), light cleaning, some motor cleaning and lubrication and it was good to go. (Invested total $ 175.00)

My worst experience was getting hyped up about owning a VV-XI tabletop off of craigslist. I bought it and did not really notice all of the swapped out parts till I got home. Again, thanks to members on the forum, I was able to secure all of the needed parts and get it back together. (Invested total....$750.00).

Not bad, I did pick up a couple of Columbia Eagles (B and BX)...I am still waiting on parts for the B.

I purchased a nice Polly Portable from Jerry B. and even had a new mainspring replaced by George V. Runs great.

I can't forget the nice Edison Fireside Model A purchased from Peter on the forum. Needed a cleaning, mainspring, belt and some adjustment and I purchased two rebuilt reproducers and repro horn. (one of my favorite machines with a total investment of $600.00).

Along the way I picked up some nice assessories, a Vicsonia reproducer, a early reproducer for a Q, a set of early listening tubes.

Over all a great year. We live we learn as we collect, we restore machines and history. We are putting the pieces to the puzzle back together one machine at a time.


Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Jerry P.

As far as machines go, I wouldn't say I had a great year. I picked up a so-so, common Edison Model D Standard that I bought only because it came with a semi-rare Model S reproducer (same as Model K with a bigger diaphragm) and a way-better-than-average faux oak grain cygnet horn (my first).

For some reason, this was a "furniture" year for me; I found 2 decent cylinder cabinets and a vintage sheet music cabinet. The sheet music cabinet makes an excellent display for the Standard mentioned above.

On the record front, I found not one, but two different Sophie Tucker cylinders (Some of These Days on 4M wax and That Lovin' Rag on 2M wax). Diamond Disc purchases this year included My Gal Sal, Rhapsody in Blue (Thanks Wyatt!), and the original sleeve for Let Us Not Forget.

As for next year, who knows. I still need to find a decent medium-sized Orthophonic and am hoping to pick up an 8-9 somewhere along the way.

I hope 2016 brings all of us good luck!

It was a very busy and educational year for me on the phonograph front. I spent countless hours perusing my new books and surfing this site picking up helpful info. on the way. Thanks guys. (some purchases, trips, were not mentioned for brevity sake)
I found a VV8-12 with binders around the corner from where I was working that day.It just needed some cleaning, a back bracket and reproducer, which I picked up at Union,(great trip ) and proceeded to drop 15 minutes later. Also bought parts of an Edison DD shipping crate. It was my 1st visit to Union (hopefully not my last) and my first motor rebuilt. Jaspers was incredible I can't wait to put a video together of the trip.
I finally went to East Orange to visit The Edison estate and factory. I am only 25 minutes from there, and have been meaning to go since I got my drivers license back in the 80's Knock that off my bucket list.
A few weeks later, picked up a nice mahogany VV-XVII that just needed a good cleaning, motor and reproducer rebuild.I never expected her to look so good after a few applications of goop. Shortly after that, I picked up an Edison Beethoven, with a standard and Edisonic reproducer. I now have my early A-250(louvers 1913) sitting adjacent to the Beethoven Edisonic(1927). Not to mention picking up quite a few DD's to play on it.
And just last week I found another VV-XVII in Walnut. She looked to be in very rough shape, but at the moment, cleaning up very nicely, though it will take a little more than a few applications of goop to revive her. I am looking forward to the motor and reproducer rebuilds over the winter. She's going to be a beaut I can't imagine a better year as far as phono's go. But here's to hoping.

side note, my family has hinted that I may want to look for professional help due to my recent acquisitions.

DGPros wrote: Shortly after that, I picked up an Edison Beethoven, with a standard and Edisonic reproducer. )

Hi Gary,
Do we have the serial number of your Beethoven Edisonic on the Edisonic thread?

Ralph

pughphonos wrote:

DGPros wrote: Shortly after that, I picked up an Edison Beethoven, with a standard and Edisonic reproducer. )

Hi Gary,
Do we have the serial number of your Beethoven Edisonic on the Edisonic thread?

Ralph

I believe you do, but it's BN 1757 just in case. It also has the Edison long play on it.

So that's where my latest DDs are coming from. What a stash!

My 2016 goals: Looking through the records and books and goodies I have, making some sort of list, and trying not to buy 2nd or 3rd copies of things. I have rooms, halls, and an attic full of stuff that I don't even remember buying or being given. Looked through one box the other night, and was shocked to see what was in it - but I still can't recall one title, just now. I had a list of 6 expensive newish books to purchase a few days ago ... then I pulled the house a bit apart, and found all 6! I do hope this isn't early senility.

Advice: Use your computer to catalogue your stuff, instead of using your computer to buy MORE stuff.

ps - My stupid computer is now underlining "catalogue" as if it's incorrect. grrr.

2015 has been good to me, I got my first cylinder machine from fellow member Dustie89, and have found some nice records for my collection including a Japanese Victor record with the original sleeve and lyric sheet. Best of luck to all in their endeavors for the rest of this year as well as in 2016.

DGPros wrote:

pughphonos wrote:

DGPros wrote: Shortly after that, I picked up an Edison Beethoven, with a standard and Edisonic reproducer. )

Hi Gary,
Do we have the serial number of your Beethoven Edisonic on the Edisonic thread?

Ralph

I believe you do, but it's BN 1757 just in case. It also has the Edison long play on it.

Hi again. It's indeed on that thread, but only because it was one of those enumerated in the 1987 New Amberola Graphic. I'll add your photo of the machine to the thread.

2015 was good for phonographs for me and a horrible year for health (spent 3 months off work either in the hospital or at home recovering). In February I found an VV 8-35 and brought it home from about 3 hours away. This Summer a friend helped me out with acquiring a VV 8-9, and then my Victor R that just came home. Not much in the way of records this year, but I was able to cross 3 nice phonographs off my want list. In 2016, I'm looking forward to my first Union trip.