The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am just wondering what are your dream machines?

I haven't delved any into the world of external horn machines and don't know much about them, but I'd love to have a disc machine with an external horn. At this point I'm not particular...so long as the horn is beautiful . I'd also love to have a Wurlitzer 1100.

My wish list changes by the day, but right now if money were no object I would love to pick up a really nice Victor VI with mahogany horn, Victor XX, and maybe one the Pathé Actuelles with the paper horn and a collection of various makers' art models. Oh, and while day dreaming, the $$ to sell my condo and buy a nice big home to display them all with a good work shop out back.

Given life's realities, though, probably on the short list would be the Actuelle as it would be the most affordable.

Clay

P.S. Another post reminded me to add an Amberola 1A.

As this is a wish list.....I've been looking for a VV 1-5 portable for several years in order to complete my collection of the Victor portable phonographs. I would like to own a VV 1-2 "Aladdin", or any of a number of smaller Victrola Orthophonic phonographs or phono/radio combinations. One must possess one, or all, of three factors: patience, available space, and money. One day...........

Amberola 1A, Opera, and Credenza. I've had opportunities to buy all 3 but money and practicalities (especially with the Credenza) are another story. I wouldn't mind a coin op cylinder machine, but it's not a priority.

I do have an Amberola 1A motor and an M reproducer and am seriously thinking of (temporarily) hooking them up in something like a large Diamond Disc cabinet and horn to make a very classy Frankenphone!

Easy, and I'm going for the possible...maybe even probable! I mean,I've accepted the fact that I'm never going to own an Opera or an Amberola I or a Victor VI or an EMG Mark Xa. So the real ones I'm after are an Edison Triumph Model D or E with a horizontal carriage and a Music Master horn, an early Victor V (or late Victor D) with a spear point wooden horn, an early A250 Diamond Disc ( the one with the louvres on the side) and finally a nice Orthophonic either a Credenza or the American 8-35 which has a more pleasing cabinet to my eyes than the Canadian version.
JRT
P.S. When I was in university I missed out on an Amberola 1A and opportunity knocks but once.

I've found that nearly everything is obtainable, if you look hard enough, are patient AND get lucky. I AM going to find an original tinfoil machine at a yard sale or antique store (or so I keep telling myself).

So far I've been lucky and found most everything I have wanted but there are a few goodies I would love to add: A Columbia GG for example or a European Stentor (shown here):

Hello,
I too thought that I would never own an Edison Opera. I started collecting in 1971 at the age of 16. Over the years life often conflicts with collecting. Buying a home and raising kids takes priority. In 1981 I went to the Union Phonograph show with a good friend Darrell Lehman from Seattle, it was fantastic. I vowed to return one day. In 1986 with a daughter on the way I sold off my collection to help buy a larger home. I regreted parting with my machines ever since. Ten years ago I started collecting Phonographs again. last year my wife and I retired and sold our home to buy a smaller one. I set aside enough money to return to the Union Show(31 years later). I came back with an Edison Oak Opera, Edison Mahogany Opera,Edison Drawer model Concert, Edison Spring Motor, Triumph model A, Columbia BKT, Victor MS With Oak spear tip horn, Columbia AU, Columbia Q, Mahogany Victrola L-Door, Oak Victrola XVI and a couple of Oak horns from Don Gfell. A few of these machines were purchased from collector who hauled them to the show for me but most were bought at the show. It was a dream come true for me after all these years. I am hoping to save up over the next two years to buy a nice Edison maroon model D Gem and a Columbia A.
Pete

flashpanblue,wow! quite the collection.all of my favorites are in youre house!

but really
puck
columbia Q
victor III
early zon-o-phone rear mount
edison amberola not sure which model yet,ive yet to purchase a cylinder machine..thats exciting.

Decca 'Trench' portable from WW1 years!