The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So here is my question, since I have no idea whatsoever about phonographs... Is this a real one or a crapophone? I tried to look around on google a bit but to me the difference is not that obvious. To me it looks better quality than the regular 30$ crapophones that are sold here for decoration only, it works, you can play that record, but I don't have a needle. It was a gift from my former landlord, who had all kinds of real and fake antique stuff in his house... He played it once for us, so that's how I know it works. Anyways, I am just curious if it's a real one or not.


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100% fake (except the motor) originals were NEVER made with octagonal/hexagonal nor round bases, they are very cheaply made and i would NOT reccomend playing records on it, they were designed for looks not for function

Definitely fake, as Alex noted.

There are quite a number of online guides that can help you identify the typical Crap-O-Phone features. Here are a few good ones:


PDF Format -- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... bA&cad=rja


http://www.oldcrank.com/articles/crapop ... ction.html

http://www.mainspringpress.com/crapo.html

HTH,
DS

If nothing else "His Master Voice" should have been a clue.

Crapophones are easily to identify. If the horn has a soldered semi straight angle - like this one - you're sure that it is a modern reproduction. And that HMV transfer was taken from a record album and reprinted.
Apart from that one can see that the reproducer is crooked, so even when you want to use it as interior decoration, please never play a record on it, because that would be completely destroyed the first you play it
I must confess, it is a nice looking thing but no more than that. Worth? Something between 20 to 40 euro, no more.

thank you all. I didn't really expect it to be an original one, but thanks for confirming.

No offense lydia, but it is so un-authentic that the seasoned collector could smell it a mile away! If all you want is a cute decorator item to brighten your home or impress your friends, then that is one thing. However, if you ever want to buy a genuine phonograph, this is definitely the place to research before buying.