The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just wanted to give a big public shout out to Sean, thanking him for the wonderful afternoon I had yesterday! He spent a good 4 hours of his day with me, showing me his machines, playing them all for me, showing me his incredible disk & cylinder collection, and playing some wonderful examples of history gone by! What a wealth of knowledge Sean is, I'm still reeling trying to remember everything he taught me (it'll take this old brain a while, and a few more trips to visit him). In this day of people not having time for anyone else, and not wanting to share their experience and knowlege, Sean is a rarity! He told me I could swing by anytime, that he'd be more than glad to show me how to clean & tune up any of my machines, etc.
Thanks Sean, it was a blast!

Anytime, Gary! It's no fun having any of this stuff if you don't share!

Sean

Gary, I'll bet Sean had at least as much fun as you did. It's really uncommon for me to have anyone visit who really has an interest in my phono collection other than to ask, does it work? and how much is it worth (usually while they are thinking- Wow, are you crazy for having all this junk)? Normally, I can see after about half a side of a record, they are ready to go see what's for dinner... Collectors are spread so far and wide, at least where I've lived, that to go and see some else's stuff is a long drive. Glad you had fun and I'll bet Sean would welcome another visit anytime...

Ha, I see Sean already confirmed my statement, while I was typing..

Steve

If I lived closer to another phonograph collector, it would be fun to visit, compare stories, and favorite models and makes of machines. Even though I have not met Sean, I do appreciate his contributions to this forum. Typical visitors to our home enjoy hearing one record, and then want to move on to other topics.

It was fun to talk to other collectors at the CAPS show earlier this month.
Keep up the great work, Sean.

schweg wrote:Gary, I'll bet Sean had at least as much fun as you did. It's really uncommon for me to have anyone visit who really has an interest in my phono collection other than to ask, does it work? and how much is it worth (usually while they are thinking- Wow, are you crazy for having all this junk)? Normally, I can see after about half a side of a record, they are ready to go see what's for dinner... Collectors are spread so far and wide, at least where I've lived, that to go and see some else's stuff is a long drive. Glad you had fun and I'll bet Sean would welcome another visit anytime...

Ha, I see Sean already confirmed my statement, while I was typing..

Steve

Schweg, I agree. I'll bet Sean enjoyed it too. Half of one side is about the most anyone can take when they come here. It would be a real treat to have someone come to the house and spend 4 hours listening with me.

I'm another one with a biggish collection (of records; only 6 machines... ) who would love to have someone come to listen with me. Most of my friends are very polite, but glaze over when I start playing.

Nat

I had a great time. I'm too used to getting the usual "blank stare" from most guests, so it was a great time listening and just talking machines in general!

Sean

It's always a pleasure to share my old music with others--not something I do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, there are so few people who have an appreciation or knowledge of earlier recordings.

The best way to facilitate old record and phono collectors getting together is for all of you to move to Philadelphia!



Rocky

Nat wrote:Most of my friends are very polite, but glaze over when I start playing.

Nat

Try being a female interested in this (dare I call it) hobby... my friends are completely flummoxed over the idea that I have taken such an interest and look at me as if I have defected to the enemy's side!

They would think nothing of my husband pulling apart a phonograph and tinkering with the motor, but with me it seems to be a completely different story... However, being of the so-called gentler persuasion being trained in the proper deportment in such situations, they will politely sit and listen to one record without actually rolling their eyes

I'll never forget my father's comment when I bought my first (and only) Opera several years back.

After walking through the living room where it was placed a few times without comment, "what's that?"

I told him. I demonstrated it.

"Nice, what'd ya pay for it?"

I told him, $3,100 (I think it was).

J##sus! You could have gotten a hell of a nice fishin boat for that!!!" he said.