Slightly Off Topic

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
User avatar
travisgreyfox
Victor IV
Posts: 1258
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:25 pm

Slightly Off Topic

Post by travisgreyfox »

Has anyone been to an antique radio show? If so, I was wondering if there is phonographs and records at these events too. There is one coming up in Pittsburgh and I want to go if there will be "our" stuff for sale there, possibly. What are your guys experiences?

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/atq/d ... 45300.html

52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3825
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by 52089 »

If you see any phono stuff there, it will probably be very basic, beginner stuff. Frankly, I doubt you'd see anything at all.

My experience is the reverse. I've been to many phono shows (primarily at Wayne), but I don't recall seeing more than a few radios total over the last several visits. Most of the time I don't even see one.

Should you go anyway? Why not. Even if you don't add to your collection, you can probably network a bit and maybe eventually someone might find something of interest.

User avatar
epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 5700
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by epigramophone »

The prospects are rather better in the UK : https://www.retrotechuk.com/

User avatar
Andersun
Victor III
Posts: 887
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:38 am
Location: Oldsmar, Fl
Contact:

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by Andersun »

If you go, look in the display cases and parts boxes for parts and small items. You never know if a reproducer or some other phono related item may be in there....

User avatar
ChuckA
Victor III
Posts: 602
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:32 pm
Personal Text: Learn from the mistakes of others - You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
Location: South Eastern PA
Contact:

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by ChuckA »

travisgreyfox wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:44 am Has anyone been to an antique radio show? If so, I was wondering if there is phonographs and records at these events too. There is one coming up in Pittsburgh and I want to go if there will be "our" stuff for sale there, possibly. What are your guys experiences?
Remember the title is "radio show", but if you take a large radio show like Kutztown, PA which is this May, about 80% is radios or radio related items. The remaining
20% is a mixture of audio equipment, TV, phonograph, juke boxes, test equipment, tools, hardware and plain old junk.

I once found a Class M (it was 30 years ago) at a HAM radio meet for less than $100. Recently 6 excellent Columbia 6" cylinders cheap.
You never know what will turn up at a radio/phono/HAM/craft/whatever show.


Chuck

User avatar
Phono-Phan
Victor V
Posts: 2814
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
Location: Plover, WI

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by Phono-Phan »

I have found some great items at other slightly related shows. I usually inquire about phonograph related items. Several times I get replies like "Oh, I didn't think of bringing those things" Or get referrals to other dealers that might have something. It never hurts to ask around.

MATTROSE94
Victor O
Posts: 87
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:40 am
Personal Text: ARSC Discography Committee Chairperson and early recorded sound enthusiast based in Central NJ

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by MATTROSE94 »

The only time I went to an antique radio show was way back in 2003 when I was 9 years old. I recall seeing some phonograph stuff there like an Edison Standard Cylinder Phonograph and a couple of lower end portable Victors from the 1920s era.

EdiBrunsVic
Victor IV
Posts: 1120
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:12 pm
Location: Lubbock, Texas (again)

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by EdiBrunsVic »

I would suggest you go and look. You do not need to buy anything, but there may be someone who has a phonograph or someone who knows of one for sale.
Don

Damfino59
Victor II
Posts: 496
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:37 pm
Location: Stillman Valley, IL

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by Damfino59 »

Vintage Radio shows can be very productive.

I used to go the the Illinois show that was held in August in Elgin IL. This was in the 1990’s.

Found such items like:

NOS Diamond Discs
Soundboxes & motors
Plus tubes for my Hi fi players & my two Atwater Kent’s.

The Wisconsin Radio club also has a show and I’ve been there before the lock downs. Seen some phonograph items.

Also if your looking for a vintage three speed turntable there’s usually like a Garrard, Dual around. One time I found some NOS Pickering stylus.

And it’s just fun getting out of the house.

Glenn

User avatar
PeterF
Victor IV
Posts: 1994
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:06 pm

Re: Slightly Off Topic

Post by PeterF »

The radio people are often nice enough. In fact, one of them introduced me to phonographs, way back when.

I have enough common ground with them, having been a ham as a kid, and I enjoy the 20’s radio phonographs.

But here’s a little secret that has served me well over the years: they sometimes turn up phonographs in their radio hunting, but since the phonos aren’t their collecting focus, they get tired of them faster…

…and sell them to the likes of us.

Example:

My pal Steve, a radio dude, turned up a really nice and all-original oak Amberola A1 a few years ago. He showed me, I admired it, I told him it was special.

After 3-4 years it was “taking up space” at his house and he asked me if I knew whether any of my phono hobby buddies might want it. It’s now in our dining room. And the price was real right.

So: go to the radio swap and find your own Steve!

Post Reply