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Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:04 am
by EmmaChua_BAPS
Is there a advantage or reason to purchase a wind up gramophone? There are record players on the internet that advertise they can play the 78 rotation gramophone discs for rmb 250+

I have two gramophone records and many smaller 45 rotation records.

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:39 am
by Inigo
We collectors buy gramophones because of their beauty, the sheer simplicity of listening to music by pure acoustics with such a quality, the taste for old antiques, the quality of materials as wood, nickeled metal, etc
Of course the sound of modern equipment can be much better with old recordings, but the charm of listening to old gramophones is s different thing...

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:52 am
by VanEpsFan1914
I thought it would be interesting to hear my record collection on the original equipment so I bought a broken gramophone and repaired it. Repairs became a hobby in their own right.

If you have only 2 gramophone records, I hope you can get some more of them!

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:13 pm
by epigramophone
For many of us, the ability to play our records on the machines for which they were designed is what this hobby is all about.
To hear them as their original owners heard them is to be transported back in time. Modern equipment is no substitute.

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:43 pm
by Marc Hildebrant
This is an interesting question for me.

Currently, I'm taking another "pass" at restoration of my Edison Diamond Disc Acoustic music. This music had been transcribed via a Reloop LP Turntable and is now digitized and having the "clicks" removed.

For me, I enjoy this music for three separate reasons. First, the antique machines represent an interesting look back into the past. This was the first phase of the music industry and is interesting to learn about. Second, I enjoy the music when played back on the machines as it brings to life the same joy that was experienced by people 100 years ago.

And third, I enjoy the music for its own merit. The early jazz played by these early artists have an intensity that is unique and original. The original group sound is a far cry from the over produced music available today.

By the way, I have a 1931 Ford Model A, antique radios, and enjoy shooting muzzle loading black powder firearms for similar reasons.

Marc

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:40 pm
by Phono-Phan
Marc Hildebrant wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:43 pm This is an interesting question for me.

Currently, I'm taking another "pass" at restoration of my Edison Diamond Disc Acoustic music. This music had been transcribed via a Reloop LP Turntable and is now digitized and having the "clicks" removed.

For me, I enjoy this music for three separate reasons. First, the antique machines represent an interesting look back into the past. This was the first phase of the music industry and is interesting to learn about. Second, I enjoy the music when played back on the machines as it brings to life the same joy that was experienced by people 100 years ago.

And third, I enjoy the music for its own merit. The early jazz played by these early artists have an intensity that is unique and original. The original group sound is a far cry from the over produced music available today.

By the way, I have a 1931 Ford Model A, antique radios, and enjoy shooting muzzle loading black powder firearms for similar reasons.

Marc

Well put Marc. My enjoyment is the fascination of the mechanical marvel of an old phonograph and how many different manufacturers tried to make every aspect of playing an old record better and better. I hope you are enjoying the '31 Model A!!!! I am still building a panel delivery Model A. And of course, it will be logoed as a RCA Victor delivery vehicle.

Re: Why purchase gramophone wind up

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:28 pm
by Curt A
To answer your question simply, there is NO reason to purchase a gramophone, or play 78rpm records or engage in any other unnecessary activities. You list five different personal interests in your profile that are important to you, none of which are necessary for a functional life.

In that same way, collecting records/gramophones are a useless endeavor - the technology is extremely outdated, you can listen to the same music on your computer or phone (no records needed), the era these we're made for and the original listeners are long gone, they don't have stable intrinsic value and you can't take them with you when you die... The point is, this is only an "interest" that serves as a distraction - it's certainly less harmful than other addictions.

Just my opinion...