The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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I can't speak for the US but elsewhere there does appear to be a decline in prices (interest?) for rigid arm machines. At the same time the market for small portable machines is sky-rocketing! maybe the 'new age' of collectors that's dawning will demand small portable machines that sound good, take up no space and can be put away in a cupboard when 'normality' returns?

A rigid arm R or MS is on my Union "want list". Maybe I'll be able to afford one. Can't wait! Jerry

i shouldnt think so!, there is a market for virtually everything!, i am always interested in all machines, i am currently on the look for wrecked machines even the common ones!!, the one at the top of my wish list is a wrecked victor II gramophone!, i really want to get my hands on one and restore it!
not many people (and fewer 14 yr olds!) want the wrecked machines buy i do!

Like anything....it's supply and demand. Most rigid arm machines I have seen for sale have some repro parts, etc.... I have to disagree with your comment regarding Berliners however. A good Berliner even with some repro parts are selling very strong. Berliner parts are selling for insane with a capital "I" prices.
Clearly some rigid models like the "R" still have a demand. Jerry clearly has an interest in one. If you follow sales.....you can see that rare & solid machines still command strong $$$$$.

Shouldn't you still be at school, Master Kirtley? It's not home time yet!

I think it's simply that money is short, so people look for machines in the hundreds not thousands of $$. The ironic thing that happens now is that we see bidding wars for common machines and portables, which pushes their prices sometimes ridiculously high. I think this will change once people feel less concerned about money and economy anymore.
Andreas

Alang, you're completely right. I also think though that the earlier machines have less 'use' given their limitations and most collectors like to use and play their machines so the 'display' machines get lower priority unless they're of the museum quality and a collector is hunting for that specific model.

Steve wrote:Shouldn't you still be at school, Master Kirtley? It's not home time yet!

haha, it is!! but my clock is wrong! it is listing it a hour earlier than it acctually is!

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