The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If you could get any phonograph (or indeed if you own it already) what would your favorite phonograph be?

For me it would be the HMV 461 for just looking awesome

I'd have to say that the one I'd carry out first if there was a fire would be my VV-IX, because my grandfather bought it new, and it would have been the first Victrola Dad ever heard (as an old man, all machines that played music were Victrolas to him). It's never stopped working, but now it's in drydock for a re-finish and motor cleaning.

BTW, I'm going to go for a tung oil finish, rather than lacquer. I've kept the mahogany color, but ten layers of tung oil should look pretty good when it's done.

But then there's my Credenza, and the free-standing machine I bought at a sale when I was in the 7th Grade.... and my portables....

I think we all love the one best that we're playing at the moment.

Your HMV is a killer, though! Thanks for the picture!

Nat

I've been asked this question over the years by friends and relatives. As a collection grows larger and more interesting, the answer becomes very difficult. I really can't single out one phonograph in my collection that is my favorite nor could I select one that I don't have that I would consider a favorite. I can vividly recall the occasion when I first met one of the finest and most gracious of phonograph collectors some 20 years ago, the late George "Doug" Anderson. Stepping into his wonderful one room schoolhouse my eyes were darting from wall to wall trying to take in as many visual snapshots of Doug's collection. I asked him this same question, "Which one is your favorite, Doug?" His answer was as quick and witty as any I can ever remember..."My favorite is the one I just got." I remember thinking at the time that this was a strange answer until I began building a good sized collection of my own and realized that as lowly as the new one I may have just picked up may be, for a little while at least, like Doug said, that one would be my favorite. Of course, the more desirable machines in my collection will always be highest on the all time favorites list but that next find is always special for a little while, isn't it?

m1tch wrote:For me it would be the HMV 461 for just looking awesome

M1tch, I like the wood grain on your HMV 461!

Humm, which machine would I choose? Well, if the house was on fire & I had help to move it, I'd choose my Edisonic.



If no help was available then I'd grab my Victor Monarch & run out the door!

VV-X

Thanks for the comments & info. But I've used tung oil on a good deal of furniture now, and had very good results. The first 2-3 layers go on very thinned, the subsequent layers go on about one a day until the last, which I give about a week to harden, around ten layers in all. I sand between each layer, and finish with wax. It's heavily polymerized oil - perhaps that's the reason I've had good results? Anyway, so far (fingers crossed) I've arrived at something that feels silky and looks and feels "deep". At least I got the color about right!

Nat

I'll stick to my HMV 202

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-2h1LbGmxY[/youtube]

I would also vote for the 202.

Extremely tough question but I would probably first try to get out an Edison A250 in case of fire. Since it's got casters, I might try to set my Pathéphone no. 12 on top, (after covering with a towel to avoid scratching) and try to roll them both out the door before being engulfed in flames.

That 202 sounds grand!

...or should that be six grand! LOL!

They are the best re-entrant models, of that there can be little doubt.