The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

You've probably heard that most of Europe been covered with a cloud of volcanic ash closing most airports.

As a result some colleagues here for a meeting got stranded here in Prague yesterday. They are still here btw. After appropriate approval from headquarters, (my wife) I invited the stranded travellers to our house for a barbecue last night. I could not risk using the opportunity to demonstrate a few of my favorite machines, a Victor V, Amberola 1B and A250 Diamond disc.

Polite interest was feigned. I suppose they were afraid I might not feed them otherwise, but soon the conversation drifted back to volcanos and the pros and cons of Czech versus German beer...

What is wrong with people who don't think that phonographs are the most amazing things they have ever seen and heard in their lives? I just don't get it!

Yes. I've learned to never show my phonographs to visitors. If someone asks, I'll tell them what they are, and if they then ask to hear something, I'll play a record for them. For some people one is enough, others can't get enough. In fact, one friend began collecting phonos after listening to a couple of mine.

bbphonoguy wrote:Yes. I've learned to never show my phonographs to visitors. If someone asks, I'll tell them what they are, and if they then ask to hear something, I'll play a record for them.

I SHOULD HAVE learned this along time ago but somehow feel it's my duty to let them know what they are missing, or at least what I think they are missing...

Valecnik wrote:

bbphonoguy wrote:Yes. I've learned to never show my phonographs to visitors. If someone asks, I'll tell them what they are, and if they then ask to hear something, I'll play a record for them.

I SHOULD HAVE learned this along time ago but somehow feel it's my duty to let them know what they are missing, or at least what I think they are missing...

Well, if I ever have the good fortune to visit the Czech Republic I'll come to visit you, and my interest in your collection won't be feigned!

How about some of that good Czech beer for some good Oregon beer at Union? Jerry

Hell I will see your Oregon beer and raise you a Molson Canadian!!!!

Molson Canadian! The Friendly Lager... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1jXTJSG5vw
Try this clip on Youtube : 78rpm meets Canadian beer ( Shades of my youth!) They have this dated as 1970 but it's about 1960 if you ask me.
And Val, I feel your pain. People either think that a machine is the coolest thing they've ever seen or they are bored to tears: usually the latter. I've found that if you play a good quiet Edison Diamond disc , they're almost disappointed that it sounds so well. Unless they're interested in the music per se ya might as well hand them a Molson.
OH ! I found that Amberol ad with the clock face. I'll scan it later.

Jim.

Valecnik wrote:

bbphonoguy wrote:Yes. I've learned to never show my phonographs to visitors. If someone asks, I'll tell them what they are, and if they then ask to hear something, I'll play a record for them.

I SHOULD HAVE learned this along time ago but somehow feel it's my duty to let them know what they are missing, or at least what I think they are missing...

Guys, well the volcano continues and Sunday we invited another stranded traveller for a barbecue. Bbphonoguy, this time I tried it your way. I kept silent about the Victor V and the A250, (lid open and ready to go) in the room. Another nice dinner, good conversation but neither machine was mentioned or even noticed…

Jerry B. wrote:How about some of that good Czech beer for some good Oregon beer at Union? Jerry

gramophone78 wrote:Hell I will see your Oregon beer and raise you a Molson Canadian!!!!

Jerry, Gramo78, I’ll see what I can do about that exchange program, (Czech beer for Oregon & Canadian). Hopefully the volcano will have subsided well before Union!

Lenoirstreetguy wrote:Molson Canadian! The Friendly Lager... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1jXTJSG5vw
Try this clip on Youtube : 78rpm meets Canadian beer ( Shades of my youth!) They have this dated as 1970 but it's about 1960 if you ask me.
And Val, I feel your pain. People either think that a machine is the coolest thing they've ever seen or they are bored to tears: usually the latter. I've found that if you play a good quiet Edison Diamond disc , they're almost disappointed that it sounds so well. Unless they're interested in the music per se ya might as well hand them a Molson.
OH ! I found that Amberol ad with the clock face. I'll scan it later.

Jim.

I love the clock advert. Given the timing that Triumph in the picture would have to be a 2 minute machine retrofitted with the latest technology of the day, large carriage, fantastic O reproducer and 11 panel cygnet.

Valecnik wrote:Guys, well the volcano continues and Sunday we invited another stranded traveller for a barbecue. Bbphonoguy, this time I tried it your way. I kept silent about the Victor V and the A250, (lid open and ready to go) in the room. Another nice dinner, good conversation but neither machine was mentioned or even noticed…

I never said that doing it my way would create interest, it just saves me the bother of realizing I've been a bore yet again