The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It's a fantastic price. I'm interested, but don't really have the time for another project at the moment. It's in rough shape. But for only $200.

https://nashville.craigslist.org/atq/5387949240.html

I'm only about thirty minuets away from this.

Buy it and you will find time Definitely a worthwhile project. Cheers

Bill K

The motor is worth more than $200 by itself!

It's a chance to bring an historic machine back to life. I think you should be all over it. Jerry Blais

Did you buy it did you buy it

Bill K

Go get it ! If the machine is complete, and the veneer / joints are tight, it's worth it.

Benjamin_L wrote: I'm only about thirty minuets away from this.

If you're a good dancer, you shouldn't have any problem.

Bill

I sent an email asking if they'd trade for something. I'm not the wealthiest person in the world, because of Christmas. I haven't got a response, but I may push harder... Phonographs aren't really hot items here in middle Tennessee.(Unless they're in Nashville.) So it's going to be listed for awhile.

The finish looks pretty weak, though maybe not entirely hopeless. Looks like the machine was exposed to extremes of temperature over a long period, and the shellac's gone flaky. Though it's hard to tell from a few pics online, it might be possible to save it with Restor-A-Finish and probably a few light, thin coats of shellac.

There's something really irritating in the common phrase "good condition for its age" -- as if time alone, and not neglect or abuse, is what damages old things. And of course the machine is pre-1912, while the seller suggests 1920s or '30s. It's easy enough to date these things properly in a just a few steps using online resources, particularly Paul Edie's Victor-Victrola site, but I'm sure sometimes people just want to get rid of things and can't be bothered to do any research, even if it might help them make the sale.

But at the price, it could be a fairly good deal. If it's been listed for awhile, it couldn't hurt to make a lower offer. You might do well to gavotte over there and take a closer look at it.

I understand this machine sold and for only $150. What a buy. Jerry Blais