Diamond Disk Phonographs

[gleemanguy]

I just became involved in the hobby the end of March 08. I have been looking for a nice c250/c19 that is Mountain West. It seems that the frieght costs are prohibitive if the unit has to be shipped very far. Any ideas where I might find a unit close to Montana? I have been checking the freight from several areas (Ariz & Calif) It seems to run on average about $500. I jumped in and bought an Amberola 30 and an Edison Standard 2/4 with the big Morning Glory Horn. I am thinking that the Diamond Disk would be a nice addition.

[larryh]

Keep watching Ebay, and Craigs list in your near by towns. One will eventually show up. I have seen some out west there that were nice, but as you say too far to drive or ship to the midwest.

My humble opinion would be that for enjoying hearing the machines the diamond disc would be the finest choice. Just expect to get lots of rotten records if you try ebay before you get any good ones.. I just got a set that looked good and the party may have believed they were indeed good, but when looked at in a strong light at an angle the grooves that tell tale brownish color down in the grooves. I could tell instantly when I heard that buzzy sounds that something was wrong.. I think a lot of people blame their reproducer when its the records fault.

[marcapra]

Yes shipping big floor model phonographs is expensive. I ought to know, as I have more money in shipping than in phonographs! I have even flown out to the city where the phonographs were and built the crates at a friend's house to save money. Turns out I didn't save enough to make it worth while, as just buying the supplies to build crates costs over $100 plus a day's labor! I just shipped an early Edison DD model B-150, which is a smaller phono, via FedEx. I went to U-Haul and bought their largest wardrobe box. Then I removed the lid from the phonograph to shorten it. I bought FedEx's packing fee for $29 and they allowed me to pack it myself using as much bubble wrap as I needed. I packed the phono upside down to avoid any shocks to the skinny legs, and cushioned the bottom of the box well. The weight of the box came to 89 lbs. (FedEx will accept up to 150 lbs) and cost $144 to ship from Lansing, MI to So. California. I don't have it yet as they will deliver tomorrow, but I'm hoping it will be OK. It is insured for $500.

[klinkmi]

Shipping is very expensive! I don't think FED X or UPS would ship an item so large and so heavy. Common freight is probably only possibility but use caution how the item is going to be packed or crated. I have heard of some horror stories especially with Jukeboxes. I know in my area NEPa Disc Phono's are more common than cylinder machines . Just keep your eyes open and I sure one will pop up somewhere.

[covah]

You might try Greyhound for large items. Coast to coast, "within 30 inches X 47 inches X 82 inches" 100 lbs. maximum $87.60. Problem is, sellers don't want to bother packaging item and delivering it to a Greyhound station.

www.shipgreyhound.com/scripts/quotes/gpxStep1.asp

[marcapra]

Trouble is a big Edison DD 250 model already weighs over 100 lbs, then add a big heavy crate to it, and that rules out Greyhound. Using a cardboard box for smaller floor models is a way to cut down on shipping costs. I saw some boxes on new water heaters at Home Depot that would be perfect for crating a floor model if you could get one. Trouble is they sell them boxed, so you would have to ask the buyer if you could have the box. Maybe you could get something similar at an appliance store?

[larryh]

Furniture stores have large cardboard cartons often with large styrofoam molded pieces to keep the item in place and away from the edge.. But owning and moving a 250 this summer, I would have to say your running a huge risk of getting a badly damaged item, let alone the cost. Frankly too many of them go unwanted in local auctions or on ebay at one you could drive to pick up..Also they show up sometimes reasonable on craigs list. I got mine at an auction where it was missing the reproducer so most people ignored it and the case was coming unglued in places. But for 25.00 it was mine and I had a reproducer already and if not they are always on ebay.. I think it would cost twice what its worth to ship. And probably wouldn't make it. I would wait till something closer turns up.
Where are you?

[MordEth]

gleemanguy: You may want to keep watching Craigslist, although based on the search linked there (‘phonograph’), it doesn't look very promising at the moment. And of course, there’s always eBay. You might also try other Craigslist sites; you would know better than I would what is near you, and how far you’re willing to drive.

marcapra: I think that larryh is correct, although where you live may change things; I imagine that should you live rurally in the right part of the middle of nowhere, shipping may well be your only option. You may also want to check Craigslist, though.

Hope this helps.

— MordEth

[lukewarmwater]

I've shipped large items reasonably via Amtrak rail freight, but you need to pick the item up at an Amtrak station. Box/crate the item and it is stretch wrapped onto a pallet and shipped.

[marcapra]

Luke, That is interesting about Amtrak. I didn't know they shipped crates. Who crates the phonograph, the seller or Amtrak? Unfortunately, most sellers are not willing to crate a phonograph even if paid, because they are not experienced in that art.

[lukewarmwater2]

In one case the seller (another collector) had a local moving and storage company box the machine for me in a very sturdy corrugated board box with much foam board packing within. The other time was when I bought a machine in a city I had flown to. I went to a Lowes in my rental car and bought pink insulation board, and scavenged a refrigerator box from an alley. I boxed the machine at the antique mall and the owner's husband was kind enough to haul it to the Amtrak station for me in his van. Both machines were in perfect order when I picked them up. Not even the boxes were damaged!

[larryh]

Luke,

I thought Amtrak eliminated the freight service some time ago?

Larry

[lukewarmwater]

Well, that very well could be! It has been a few years since the last time I used it. If that's the case, sorry for the mis-info.