The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hiya folks,

Though technically not a talking machine (obviously, but I don't know if this post should be relegated to The Parlor), pedestals were and still may be an important part of proudly displaying a nice machine. I'm wondering what others here may have or still do use?

Best,
Fran

Anyone? I'm hoping we can learn what others prefer to use, both vintage/antique and/or contemporary.

At this point my small collection of Victors includes a Johnson Type C, a pre-dog Type E front mount, and a Type E tapering arm. Eventually I hope to add a rigid arm E to the group.

I'm looking for inspiration in regard to adding a pedestal to one or more of them.

Best,
Fran

Not a real pedestal (I never happened to see things like a real period pedestal here...) but after a looong search I could spot and purchase in a town not so far this Imperial style bedside table, which was being sold as a single piece, and happened to be almost the exact size and quite the same colour of my HMV Monarch II. Being exceptionally tall in comparison to nowadays bedside tables, in my opinion it makes a fairly good pedestal-workaround.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Not a real pedestal (I never happened to see things like a real period pedestal here...) but after a looong search I could spot and purchase in a town not so far this Imperial style bedside table, which was being sold as a single piece, and happened to be almost the exact size and quite the same colour of my HMV Monarch II. Being exceptionally tall in comparison to nowadays bedside tables, in my opinion it makes a fairly good pedestal-workaround.

That looks great, Marco! I hadn't thought about a tall narrow cabinet, that's a great idea.

Best,
Fran

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Not a real pedestal (I never happened to see things like a real period pedestal here...) but after a looong search I could spot and purchase in a town not so far this Imperial style bedside table, which was being sold as a single piece, and happened to be almost the exact size and quite the same colour of my HMV Monarch II. Being exceptionally tall in comparison to nowadays bedside tables, in my opinion it makes a fairly good pedestal-workaround.

nice combination and the horn looks amazing.

Victor B.

Wow Rene, that's stunning! Do you know who manufactured that incredible cabinet?

Best,
Fran

It's a great cabinet, and a Berliner-size machine fits absolutely perfectly. But it's not an original record cabinet. I'm not sure what purpose it originally served. The late Steve Farmer restored four of them as record cabinets. Even if it was not originally made for supporting a talking machine, it's period-correct and it sure works well for the purpose. (Unlike when I took those photos, it is now pretty much full of 7" records.)

It's a real masterpiece.

Best,
Fran

TinfoilPhono wrote:It's a great cabinet, and a Berliner-size machine fits absolutely perfectly. But it's not an original record cabinet. I'm not sure what purpose it originally served. The late Steve Farmer restored four of them as record cabinets. Even if it was not originally made for supporting a talking machine, it's period-correct and it sure works well for the purpose. (Unlike when I took those photos, it is now pretty much full of 7" records.)

Rene, If memory serves me right, weren't these four cabinets found in an old cigar store by the Oliphants..?. They are so cool and a Type B looks right at home on top. I wish I had one for my Type B.