The third Polyphon in two weeks, this time a floor model

[nostalgia]

This is the third Polyphon that is being offered for sale during the last two weeks in my area. (Of which I so far have bought only one)
This time a floor model, yes that occupy space
Any input on this model is welcome. Do you like it, or have seen it before? I have tried to google it, but can't really find a similar model easily that way.
Since I have no catalogs of any kind apart from my HMV book, I upload some photos also of this salon model. ( I by the way still have not been able to find the Columbia catalog in here when searching, I understand it at some stage was available in here, but maybe it has been removed from the site..)
Anyway, back to the Polyphon, it looks nice enough to me, but trully,,I have no idea where to put it, if I buy it.
I guess the freezer is next on my sacrifice list Price? I think I can get it for around 100 Euro...

[nostalgia]

I guess I maybe am the only one having some kind of interest in this salon gramophone:;) Maybe it is a sign that I should pass it, and keep my freezer

[Marco Gilardetti]

No, not really... But as you have already found out, floor models take a lot of room and once a "collector" owns one or perhaps two the space is over, and so is the "collection". They are also not easy to resell, should the owner decide to pass it to someone else.

In general there is little/no knowledge about European brands excepting the usual 2-3 makes (HMV, Columbia, perhaps Decca) about which, contrarywise, collectors talk about ad nauseam, hence the number of replies that your thread got.

I say if you like this gramophone because it means something to you, or you have decided to specialise on this specific brand, just buy it disregarding the "success" of this thread, it is basically given for free at 100 €.

[Inigo]

Yes, yes... It's interesting to know how it performs. The overall appearance is that of an orthophonic style machine. If you could make a video of its performance it would be great to see it!
Congrats!

[Sidewinder]

Space is an issue. There are so many interesting floor models to be had, though this polyphon cabinet to my tastes is not one of them. Its too plain and too modern. Because of the space issue, ordinary floor models are not very expensive. Wait rather for a quality machine from the larger manufacturers.

[VanEpsFan1914]

I like plain and modern. This 1930s-style Art Deco machine would, if I were collecting, probably end up getting used more than the unabashedly Edwardian "Victrola XIV" that I've been using.

I think it's cute, the grill is pretty, and the geometry of the tonearm is quite pleasing in shape.

Why not?

[nostalgia]

Now I evoked some response, and the kind of response is also what I was hoping for for. I felt already it would potentiall be some disagreement about this floor model, and that in itself is interesting. I guess we can agree to disagreee, and it will still be interesting to exchange opinions, and also find something to learn or consider. Everyone can have different taste, and the reason for collecting can also be different, of course. One can choose to go for the well known manufacturers, which is already mentioned in this thread, yes...I already have 2 HMV salon models, and also since last week one Victrola, and one Columbia, so my sitting room (and bedroom) is quite saturated already, that is a truth. Or, one can also choose to collect choosing more unknown (salon) models, made from for instance German manufacturers, and I guess this machine fall into that category. I guess I was attracted to it because I like its appearance, and also because it seem to be possibly be scarce, and I am here not thinking about commercial value, but that it could have historical interest to keep it.
I have not decided yet, it I can find space for it though, I already have decided to sacrifice a scratchy Colombia for the Victrola VV-XI purchased last week, that I am now totally renovating, and will post pics of in the US section soon.

[Inigo]

I now feel certain doubts...
Is there any possibility of seeing what we have behind the grille? I'm fed up with those German closed tabletop machines with nice cases and a ridiculous short spruce cone horn occupying only half the front of the machine. What's the use of the second door? How do these tabletops sound? Seeing the small horn I am tempted to believe they sound small and poorly... But who knows? So the grille that Polyphon doesn't mean there is a good horn behind...

[VanEpsFan1914]

Well, go take a look at it! You can't hurt anything--at the least, even if it hasn't much for a horn, you will have seen a well-preserved early 1930s gramophone up close & personal. I have a Polydor record from 1928ish, in Germany--selections from Der Fledermaus. What a good-sounding record! So they could make a nice record, then perhaps the gramophones from Germany in those years were good as well.

Also, a simple horn can work surprisingly well. Depends on the reproducer, the record, the machine's geometry, the needle, everything. Might be good to bring some soft-tone needles and a few 78s you like. Marches, polkas, and dance band pieces are great to test a machine, and some heavy-hitting Beethoven or Tchaikovsky records are the ultimate test.

I know you've bought a lot of gramophones (that Victrola was a nice one, but pics of the Columbia it replaced would be cool too) so don't get in too big a hurry to buy ALL the gramophones. I've seen that in collections before--rare beautiful machines sitting around with dust and rat droppings all over them because the guy got tired of them. Some old Edison Firesides had sat for so long they would barely start. So while it's a lot of fun to collect gramophones, it's always tough to keep that enthusiasm there...I like cherishing each one, common or rare, big or little, and trying to appreciate THAT machine in that moment.

Then again, I don't have sources for a new horn machine every two weeks! Your adventures are as good as a reality show for us.

It's your call, but thanks for putting pics of the Polyphon floor model on for us to see.

[nostalgia]

Inigo: Thank you for your valuable opinion, once again:) It might well be that the horn might be a short spruce horn, as you say, but I really would not be able to tell since my knowledge of the different horn types inside salon and tabletop models are still extremely limited at the time being. I would of course love to learn more about different horns, but have not yet had the time to delve into that. I also will not ask the owner to open the machine, I know after talking with him tht it would not be positive. So, if buying this machine it would be a take or leave it.

VanEpsFan1914: I appreciate much your response:) And for me too, the inside horn is not really an issue , a well preserved early 1930’s gramophone made from Polyphon, a respected German manufacturer ( that even maybe is scarce), is for me a good reason to have a look at this gramophone. The only problem with seeing it though, is that I know myself well enough that I will not be able to return home without buying it.
Yes, I have bought a lot of gramophones since June, and mostly I have also been extremely lucky with the pricing, for most of them. I have sold away all stuff I since long wanted to depart with, as old analog synths, a new laptop that was hardly used, and other stuff I never used, and in return gramophones have found their way into my living space. You also touch a vital aspect of collecting, not buy all gramophones that crosses my road, and I am meeting that crossroad now, since my house is small, and I do not want the gramophones to be neglected. That is also why I have started the restoration process of my machines, and I find that highly interesting and since I also have the time available, and also a garage room to do this work, I feel my passion for gramophones have elevated to new levels the last weeks. Everything becomes different when one opens a gramophone, and start servicing it, repairing scratches and the wood finish etc. It is at that point, at least for me, the gramophone becomes special, unique, and something you will care well for. Everyone of us at some stage will need to depart with our gramophones, but after servicing and restoring them all, I will definitely never allow them to return to a former state of ignorance. If I ever feel my interest is waning/health is deteriorating, I have promised myself to sell them/leave them to dedicated persons, instead of allowing them to be neglected. It is like you say, important to cherish each machine, and not just hoard truckloads of machines that dust away in the basement, at least that is how it is for me.
I am happy to read my adventures in collecting sometimes can feel like a reality show:) Just reading such words, is a fulfilment and brings extra happiness to the hobby for me, and for sure encourages me to share experiences and results of restoration as well as photos of future gramophones that come my way.
I have slowly also got another idea. When gramophones come into my life, that I really feel attracted to, and am able to buy, I will purchase them, restore them and advertise them for sale, along with descriptions on that the particular gramophone, how it is fully restored and serviced. I also, if possible will sell it along with a kind of framed certificate/letter, telling the story of the gramophone, as far as I know it. This way I am hoping to evoke a new interest in this hobby in my area, along with possible friendly evenings with playing 78 records. The truth is that my area there is an extremely small interest in this hobby, and that is also why I am able to find and buy as many gramophones as I have, since summer. Finding a way to spread the hobby, is for me another major reason to hunt down interesting gramophones.
Here is the link to the thread, where I posted photos of the Columbia salon model, that now occupy BIG space in my living room. http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 11&t=41463