The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

With regards to the other thread titled "What will happen to the future of our hobby?" (http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5137) ... to get a glimpse of the age demographic of this board.

I may be well over fifty now, but I've been interested in the hobby since age twelve. Though more into music than into machines (still) I'm also interested in vintage recording and playback. So this forum is one I look at daily. Currently I have only one machine, a strange Electrola 102 with nr 4a soundbox, but I'm sure there will be more in the near future.
Peter

The poll is missing the answer I usually select: "Prefer not to answer."

I'm also over 50 and have been in this hobby for over twenty years. I like both machines and records. I especially like those odd ball Columbia machines. There is always something new to learn and find in this hobby. I enjoy it very much.
Harvey Kravitz

I am 39 and have been in this hobby for four years. My demographic is not as low as I thought?

For my two cents on the subject I find that in other hobbies I also have, a vast majority of people who collect something either have fond memories of something or exposure to it at an early age. In all those groups the same issue persist, that the older people are mostly those who collect them.. Such as Player Pianos, Reed Organs, Vintage 78's, Old Radios and Shows. With phonographs and other hobbies the internet has made it possible for more people to interact therefore easier for younger people to get a foot hold in a hobby. From where I lived it was rather and exclusive club of people who kept in touch as collectors. Here it is much easier to find a comfortable place all collectors and of all ages. But I tend to think that as time goes on most of the listed hobbies will find fewer collectors than in the era following the demise of the items in everyday life.

My hobby was no doubt prompted by my Grandmothers dads old phonograph we used to play when working in her basement. That was 60 years ago and I have had a soft spot for phonographs ever since. Like most of you however, I really know hardly anyone around where I am now that is the least bit interested in really collecting or listening to victrolas. So it remains a rather solitary hobby except for the friends you meet on sites such as this.

It was Dad's old Edison DD Console phonograph chock full of Diamond Discs that got me started around the age of 8. I used to spend many a rainy Saturday out on the old front enclosed porch, cranking that old gal up and enjoying Barney Google and Old King Tut and Don't Bring LuLu and In the Little Red Schoolhouse and Stingo Stungo among others. So later on in life when the opportunity presented itself for me to buy an Victor X loaded with old records and monthly record Catalogs from 1920's, the fascination was rekindled. I have been into recorded sound history and collecting interesting examples of all types and makes of early crank Talking Machines and records for over twenty years. I especially enjoy the really old historical recordings, when the phonograph, Talking Machine and gramophone were the new kids on the block for Home Entertainment.

I just hit 40 two months ago and started collecting machines last yer. I literally love the hobby. I have 5 machines already!!! So I guess that I should have at least ten by this time next year!!!!!!!!!lol..

Tony K.
Melbourne, FL

Hmmm, very interesting - the majority of this forum's users are skewered to the older generation. I'm pleased to see some younger people though. Although this forum isn't representative of the collecting community I am quite surprised

There is a fine line here. If you are polling only the forum users, you are selecting a computer literate group which does not adequately represent the hobby as a whole. There are many folks over 65 in our hobby who simply do not use a computer or the internet. As a result, I think that the demographics would show an even higher number of older hobbyists.