The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I don't consider it to be a major sin if you trash an XI, low end Grafonola, or a worthless off brand, but once you touch a 405, 4-40, 7-11, RE-47, or Oriental Credenza, I will become willing to kill.

Just a friendly reminder to the people of Pinterest, Etsy, and my local area that "repurpose" phonographs.

(I speak from experiences with these people)

Not all off-brands are worthless

Neither is the XI. Them's fightin' words....

I agree with Roland, but I hope he is "preaching to the Choir" posting this at TMF...





Need to somehow get the word out at Etsy, E-bay, Craigslist, etc.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Do upcyclers even know this forum exists?

George P.

There is an Emerson console down in North Carolina that is listed as a wine cabinet---still has some parts in it. Don't like seeing that---BUT it is better then parts being sold off or tossed-out or the cabinet being knocked apart and burned------I know some collectors that still burn old useless cabinets.

Worthless off-brands Guess its no sense restoring my 1914 Humanola "Worthless off-brands" sort of took the fun out of it. Nah, I know what your say'n Roland.


Bill K.

Not that I condone this activity, but you have to take into consideration that some of these things literally can't be given away. There are more Victrola XI's out there than people who want them, especially if it's not in good shape. If these people have made a good faith effort to sell or give away the machine as-is, we can't really chastise them for getting creative. Of course there are also people who would take an opera and make a window box planter out of it without researching, so it can go both ways. Several years ago I had about a dozen floor models in my garage that I'd picked up for for $100. I kept what I wanted, sold what I could, and tried giving away the rest. There were still a few cabinets that went to the curb. I'm not storing junk just because nobody else wants it!

RolandVV-360 wrote:I don't consider it to be a major sin if you trash an XI, low end Grafonola, or a worthless off brand, but once you touch a 405, 4-40, 7-11, RE-47, or Oriental Credenza, I will become willing to kill.

Just a friendly reminder to the people of Pinterest, Etsy, and my local area that "repurpose" phonographs.

(I speak from experiences with these people)

Victrola 405 machines make lovely vanities, you know.

The 4-40 is after all a common machine, and so many surviving examples have simply awful finishes! I cannot imagine what one might do with a 7-11,other than playing records and listening to the radio. I once saw a Radiola 47 which had its legs cut off serving as a blanket chest at the foot of a bed. So what would you do with a Cheney Art Console which looks like a Jacobean aircraft carrier? It actually looks much like a plus-sized Brunswick Model T (Tudor) console.

For those who disrespect the XI, know that the empty shell would make a dandy casket.