The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I thought it would be fun and productive for us to share something we've learned to help others in the hobby!!! It could be something amazing, or pretty mundain. All knowledge is good if it can help build up our hobby.

I'll start by sharing details on the Columbia wooden pegs, most often missing, and used in cylinder cabinets. Below is a picture and measurements that will help anyone who has, or knows someone with lathe skills to make these.
What else can you share with all of us???

Shawn

Thank you for sharing. Definitely one for the books!

on blue amberol cylinders, the dots in a line in between the number and the Thomas Edison patent are the take numbers, if there are 4 dots, that means that was the 4th take. the number after the dots is actually the mold number. i have one wich is mold number 157. (mold numbers higher than 30 were pretty popular). hope you found this useful!

When rebuilding a soundbox I use a drop of PVA wood glue to seal the joint between the stylus bar and the diaphragm.
Easier to control than molten wax, it goes on white, dries translucent and remains flexible.
The next repairer can if necessary remove it by immersion in warm water.

When applying pinstripe decals, you can't just soak it all at once in a bowl of water like with large decals. They're far too delicate to lift out by hand, it'll just cling to itself like saran wrap- impossible to fix without tearing.
I found the best way to deal with these is to lay it flat on the bedplate, and gently slide a wet cotton swab over it until the decal releases from the backing paper.

I will list three of several gems of knowledge I have learned after over 50 years in the hobby:

1. I have noticed on many record labels that the title is in mostly English and also a second language. It is interesting to see the translations of the titles. Example: Gracias por el Paseo (Victor 19913-A)
2. Going to phonograph shows and doing buying, selling, and trading along with talking to collectors in attendance is more enjoyable than just corresponding by e-mail or private message. Visiting collectors is best.
3. The Antique Phonograph Society and this forum has many good resources for gaining knowledge. It is fun to share this knowledge with new or young collectors along with occasional special lessons at schools.
I am a retired elementary school teacher and former coordinator for a small-town museum.

Don M.

I have learned that so many collectors (mainly on Facebook groups) are not willing to buy and read books to become knowledgable about phonograph history.

I don't get it....

cmshapiro wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:08 pm I have learned that so many collectors (mainly on Facebook groups) are not willing to buy and read books to become knowledgable about phonograph history.

I don't get it....

I too am puzzled by this, Chad.

It's especially interesting that their reluctance to educate themselves doesn't discourage them from imparting their "knowledge!"

George P.

cmshapiro wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:08 pm I have learned that so many collectors (mainly on Facebook groups) are not willing to buy and read books to become knowledgable about phonograph history.

I don't get it....

It's a common trend. People want to be entertained and not educated. Many museums sadly now cater to this by putting on display "gee whiz" items, and removing anything that needs interpretation. An example is the removal of a Linotype machine from The Henry Ford Museum. I used to enjoy seeing it. Edison called them the 8th wonder of the modern world. But, it's ugly of course so... gone.

Sorry for the drift.

I'm deathly unable to read a room but it seems like we've got DRAMA