Newbie fixin' to purchase first phonograph. Please help!

[tartarian]

Hello folks. I am going to buy my first phonograph in 2 weeks, after i get my paycheck in. My budget is $700 (slightly flexible). I want one that will play both 2 minute and four minute cylinders. Looking at the Edison Model D. Consulting Ebay, i saw several listings that fit my budget and criteria, however my knowledge is still very limited. I guess my questions here are;

Which other phonographs would be affordable and play both 2 min and 4 min cylinders?

Are there other sources to purchase besides Ebay? (Tried Etsy, but not much luck.) 

Also, are there any websites that cater specifically to the sale of phonographs and cylinder records? 

Been listening to Billy Murray, Ada Jones, Arthur Collins, Bert Williams and the like since my teenage years on Archive.org since i was 17 or so. Now, 12 years later, i am ready to listen to this music the way it was intended to be heard. Acoustically. I can hardly imagine the sheer bliss of hearing and owning these original pieces of recorded music. I am much overdue!!!  Anyhow, any information provided would be greatly appreciated. If i can avoid making any rookie mistakes with the aid of some well-seasoned masters, i would be much obliged! I got 2 weeks to figure this out, so the more information i can acquire, the better!

Bonus questions:

A lot of the Edison Model D's i see listed do not include horns. Will any standard Edison horn fit any Edison machine???

Maybe, just MAYBE, should i, as a begginer, consider a Gramophone as opposed to a Phonograph? (Though, i much prefer the cylinder era.... So not likely, but hell, worth asking atleast.)

Thanks folks!

[lucius1958]

Another option besides the Model Ds are earlier models that were upgraded with 2/4 minute 'Combination Attachments' after 1908: a good number of Homes and Standards survive with these upgrades. A Standard B, for example, would make an excellent player in your price range, and they are fairly plentiful; you can tell if it has the attachment by the telltale sloping gear cover.

There is also the Fireside A, which was a 2/4 minute machine: it originally came with a K reproducer, which will play both types of cylinders. Without a K, you'll need 2 reproducers, a C and an H.

As for websites: the 'Talking Machine Forum' has a 'Yankee Trader' section, where collectors can post ads of machines, etc. for sale, or want ads. There are also places like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, or shops like '4-4 Time'. If you keep looking, you're bound to find something.

Horns: Earlier Edisons often had simple 14" 'witches' hat' horns as standard issue; but if you want a little more volume, you'll need a larger horn, and a crane to support it. There were plenty of 'after market' horns back in the day; practically any of them will fit an Edison. (I wouldn't advise a 'Cygnet' horn, though, if the machine isn't already fitted for one; they can be a bit more expensive, too).

I hope this has been of some help in your search: Happy Hunting!

BillS

[nefaurora]

..everything what Bill said above! It's hard to beat a Model D though... Glad that I have one! ) Tony K. ...Edison Collector/Restorer.....