The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The quote here was a response to a post that I had started, "but this is that seller who's been discussed here before given how he routinely takes fine machines, some scarce or rare, and just parts them out on eBay... not the best of dealers to patronize."

I have mixed feelings. I hate to see a complete machine cannibalized, but the end result is that it is likely to complete multiple machines, so maybe it saves more machines than it ends.

I rode the same vintage BMW motorcycle for 13 years. I sold it for more than I paid originally, but if I had parted it out, I could have made much more. I had a relationship with this machine for 13 years, so I wasn't about to end it's existence as an original and complete motorcycle. I have never parted out a complete, or even near complete machine, but personally, I am sometimes glad for those that do.

Ironically, the part that I posted about is a Pathé reproducer made to go onto a victor machine. It even has the original box and wadding. Definitely not a cannibalized part.

I just wanted to see what others think.

I'm currently battling this question myself. In-fact I actually had a nightmare yesterday that I was destroying a machine with a hammer and woke up with cold sweats haha (true story!).

I'm currently going to "destroy" a machine that is in bad disrepair cosmetically, but hope to save at least a few machines in the process. This is a last resort because I've been trying to sell the machine for a long time on ebay and craigslist without a hint of interest, even after dropping the price to $80. I also do not have a complete working machine in my possession and I am tight for cash at the moment, which plays into my decision also.

I'll be reading this thread and may change my mind though (my stomach feels sick thinking about it again

I'm not a fan of parting out decent machines - especially if they're scarce models. A beat-up VV-XI or beat-up Edison Standard B or a beat-up VV 4-3, or any common model in poor condition, can be an acceptable "donor" machine as long as it has no unusual features or particular interest beyond the norm. After all, there are still thousands of some models in existence, and the loss of some of those in poor condition will help restore better examples. It's not a question of whether we should support "parting out," but rather how it's done. The devil's in the details.

As to patronizing a dealer who has been known to abuse the practice, I would rather boycott the behavior than the individual. When he's selling a complete machine, or a Pathé adapter, or records, why not encourage that "good" behavior by supporting it? But when he offers a scare machine's cabinet in one auction, its motor in another, and its crank in yet another, I'll boycott that "bad" behavior by not bidding - even if I need the item in question. If there's no profit in parting out good machines, the bad behavior will stop, and such machines will eventually be offered whole.

Of course, there will always be a few collectors who will place their personal interests above all else. But if their numbers are small enough, the profit in parting out good machines will hopefully be reduced to the point where the damage will be minimal. At least I can dream...

George P.

I don't mind taking parts from one faulty machine to complete another, but pulling apart a good machine to sell its parts does not fit in my collector's mindset. It could make perfectly good sense from the financial standpoint, however: it all depends on the degree of dealership of the owner. As a collector, I like to be able to buy parts to complete the broken or missing ones in my machines, and I don't have qualms if they came from a derelict or from a pristine donor.

It's like eating steaks: I love them, but if I had to make them myself by chopping them off a living cow, I probably would become vegetarian.

I remember this antique store back in the '70's that was just outside of Elmira,NY called Shedden's.They had parts for different machines.Shedden's is no longer an antique store.Now it's more like a general store that sells new items.edisonplayer

I would not part out a complete working machine. I do buy incomplete projects and sometimes they are completed and other times they are parted out. I bought an incomplete late VTLA on Craigslist. When I picked it up I did the mental math estimating the cost of the missing parts. The cabinet had cosmetic issues as well. It could have been completed but it would never have been a machine that I was proud to own or sell so I sold the parts.

If we all held a firm grip on our spare parts, worthwhile projects would be very difficult to complete. Thankfully Forum members frequently aid each other when something is needed.

At our OTAPS meeting last weekend I purchased an Amberola X that had been modified. The spring motor was replaced with a little electric motor. I thought I'd offer it in the Trader "as is" before it's parted out. Someone may enjoy the modification and enjoy a rare one of a kind machine. If not it will be parted out.

Jerry Blais

I picked up a Victor side crank VV-50 not too long ago for next to nothing (plays great after minor repairs) but the cabinet - top & bottom was chewed up by a rat or some other type of animal. I am hoping one day someone has a donor case and lid. If not I guess I will part it out unfortunately.

From reading down through, it seems that people with different priorities will have differing opinions and generally fall into three categories:

There is the collector, who hates to see a complete or even semi-restorable machine cannibalized.

The collector/trader/seller, who can bring themselves to part out a machine that is a poor candidate for restoration.

The retailer, who sees the machine as investment and return.

The thing that I hate to see more than the parting out is the re-purposing, (the horn lamp shade, Credenza bar, the Frankenphone, etc). At least if someone is parting something out the parts will likely help another machine to be completed.

Categorizing isn't so easy... but this subject has definitely been raised several times in the past...

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... lit=neelam

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... lit=neelam

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... am#p123735

... and then there was this great, lengthy thread about the guy in PA who was parting out an Edison Schubert, then offering to sell it whole, then basically holding it hostage for more money while threatening again to tear it apart, etc...

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... lit=neelam

Sorry, I am fairly new around here. I had not seen this subject posted. I was just wondering what people thought and I though that it was an interesting conversation to have.