Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2008 12:19:40 GMT -5
That's a shame. Although, I'm not surprised by that. I have seen people buy the machine, simply for the asthetic look, and not so much for the playability factor. I myself have been guilty of that. Buying something, because I know what it is, and know that it looks cool. I have an old 1960's Combo oragn in my living room, and I don't even play it. I bought it, becuse I recognised what it was. So I can't fault a person, for buying, an external horn victor, just to have sitting aound, because it looks good. Of course some would say, that, one should not buy something and then not use it. Why?
So I can understand the demand, for an external horn machine to be priced high. Because, so many people want one. Regardless, if they collect, the records or not.
Paul
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Post by redrosa08 on Aug 5, 2008 6:52:38 GMT -5
Gentlemen, can I say that in Australia the prices are much higher than in the US and its cheaper for me to pay the postage (often around US$150) and ship a machine over here than to purchase a machine here. Most of our antique dealers here say Edison Phonograph - I havent seen one of thoose for years. You guys in the States are so fortunate with your good supply of machines Claude from down under
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Post by matty on Aug 5, 2008 16:08:24 GMT -5
I agree Claude. It's been a good 15 yrs since I've seen any decent machines turn up in the wild here. I'm also more than happy to buy from the US & pay postage. I bought 3 machines from the USA last year, and it still worked out far cheaper than I'd get the same machines out here for. There still seems to be stuff floating around down south. I can't help but wonder if the 74 floods might have something to do with the shortage of stuff around Brissy. Even 78's are fairly hard to find now days. I think the last time I found diamond disc's in a shop was about 20 yrs ago!
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wolfe
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Post by wolfe on Aug 5, 2008 20:45:23 GMT -5
I agree Claude. It's been a good 15 yrs since I've seen any decent machines turn up in the wild here. I'm also more than happy to buy from the US & pay postage. I bought 3 machines from the USA last year, and it still worked out far cheaper than I'd get the same machines out here for. There still seems to be stuff floating around down south. I can't help but wonder if the 74 floods might have something to do with the shortage of stuff around Brissy. Even 78's are fairly hard to find now days. I think the last time I found diamond disc's in a shop was about 20 yrs ago! Hard times in, Brisbane? Here in the U.S.A. I seen a whole stack of DD's in a second hand store last week for a dollar each. All etched label and too beat looking to want to bother with.
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walt
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Post by walt on Aug 6, 2008 7:05:56 GMT -5
The reason you see so many unsold Homes/Standards etc is that, like you said, they are overpriced. The market is oversaturated with the common stuff. Scott/Paul/et all, I am very familiar with the area that Paul lives in, both in terms of the auction houses where the machines are coming from, and the shops/malls they are often perpetually stuck in. For the most part, what has been passing through these auction houses for about 2 years now are machines that are no where near "cream of the crop" original condition. Even common Victrolas like the IVs and VIs passing thorugh these places are dog ugly with issues. Although I basically agree with Scott to some extent, I am more convinced that the reason that machines like (especially) the Edison Homes and Standards are sitting is chiefly because they have multiple issues that "antique dealers" can't begin to touch, so they leave the Edisons alone and slap a big price on them anyway. An Edison machine will sit unless it is working very well. Victrolas are fairly easy for most "dealers" to whack into playing condition even though they may have issues. I've been to all of the malls in the Frederick area and have observed the same thing that Paul has: to wit, machines sitting in the same spot in the same booth in the same mall for months and months. I approached a dealer one time and tried to make an offer. And the guy wouldn't budge. I wasn't trying to cheat the guy and in fact I recall my offer to be rather generous given the condition of the machine he had. When he wouldn't budge I told him that I would come back and visit his "museum" in a few months or a year and see if he changes his mind. I know that many of the dealers who set up their booths in the malls do it mostly as a hobby and they really don't care if their items sell or not. Oh well...That's their prerogative... Still, I am convinced that if these people would (or could) really pay some close attention to the machines they are trying to sell and give them the love they really need after so many years, that they would be able to offer machines that are commensurate with the higher dollar figures they ask for. People will still gladly pay top dollar, but only for top shelf beauties, and that is what is missing in the open retail marketplace. Dealer hacks just don't cut the mustard. I have a bunch of phono-phriends who live out Matt's way and will be coming down soon to disturb the peace as much as we can with dueling Credenzas. I am always getting the ongoing reports of the machines showing up out their way in Adamstown, which is a very cool area. But most of what I've seen out that way is pretty well picked over by the buzzards and what is in the shops is pretty much the 'B', and 'C' grade machines just like most other areas. But that is probably because Matt is scarfing up all the good ones ;D. The better machines still show up, but most of what I have been getting along those lines are coming from private sales and not auctions or shops. I think that our wonderful economy is really only keeping the curious tinkerers and spendthrifts at home with tight purse strings where they belong anyway. But the folks who are genuinely serious about wanting to buy NICE machines to start a collection or who have established collections and just need various services and whatnot performed are more abundant than ever (at least they are for me - to the extent that I run out of time doing the work).
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Post by MT Phono on Aug 6, 2008 12:03:57 GMT -5
That is an interesting point Walt. I hadn't considered that in the equation but now that you mention it, it makes sense. Likely the right answer is too complex and always changing but mechanical condition has to be a part of it.
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walt
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Post by walt on Aug 6, 2008 13:01:56 GMT -5
That is an interesting point Walt. I hadn't considered that in the equation but now that you mention it, it makes sense. Likely the right answer is too complex and always changing but mechanical condition has to be a part of it. Hey Montana...Your calling it "an equation", come to think of it, is a very suitable way to look at it... one of those 4th or 5th order polynomial expressions that makes no more sense once you solve it. I've noticed over the years (since the late 70's anyway) that the cream of the crop machines/collections seem to behave like the 7-year locust around here. Not to be disrespectful to anyone, but it has seemed like whenever one of the more prominent collectors passes away that the market is often mildly flooded for a little bit with premium originals, and then everything gets bought up, put away and the cycle repeats itself. Man! There is the best justification ever for buying machines..."But dear, if I don't get that one, the children won't be able to inherit it " I personally believe that there is actually an increased awareness and interest here in the US when it comes to collecting phonographs. Maybe I just like to believe that..Dunno...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2008 19:53:40 GMT -5
This amaze's me. That I am still getting replies to this thread? Actually, I thought once a thread reached a certian point that was it. Either becuase, people have nothing else to say, or lost interest in the thread, or just saw it sitting there, forever.
Acttually, I figured something out. If I kept comming in here on a daily basis, then nothing ever happens, However, if I come in here on occasion, then something does happen. Actually, I learned, that people do have lives outside of this board. I on the other hand do not. Also, not everyone is one here at the same time.
Anyway, I have since slowed down, my travles to various antique shops. Mainly because, I have pretty much exhausted every one in the tri-state area. Going to the same shops, everytime I have a day off, is getting to be too repeatitive. Also, I'm not finding anything? Actually, it's because I am spending to much time trying to find something that I come up empty handed. I always, have better luck finding something, when I am not looking for it. Also, I really don't have to go out every single week, on my day's off, in antique shops and mall's. What I need to do is recondtion my mind. So when I go into antique mall, and not think about finding something, then I will eventually find something.
For example: Cylinder records. If I keep going to theses places, thinking I am going to find cylinder records, I come up empty handed. However, when I am not thinking about finding cylinder records. That's, when I find something.
So remeber, stop looking for an object, and chances are you will eventually find it.
Paul
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Post by Matt Brown on Aug 15, 2008 23:36:14 GMT -5
I wish that were true! I actually just sold all of my parts off, and trying to sell off the rest of my machines - no room, and my "real" job is (thankfully) taking more of my time.
I still do work for friends and former customers - had an interesting experience today: worked on a Class M. Nice machine, in a Herzog Cabinet (under glass).
Matt
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2008 17:55:46 GMT -5
Matt,
There are two machines that I have yet to run accross. Any Edsion Ambreola machines, and a Columbia Cylinder machine. The only Columbia machine I found was an external horn disc machine, and the dealer was asking $25,00.00.
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