r/Phonographs

These are my favourite from my mom’s salt and pepper shaker collection

It’s on facebook marketplace near me but I have no idea what it is, if it’s real or what it’s worth. I asked for more pictures, none were provided.

Saw an old Columbia Grafanola at a thrift store today. Not complete, it is over 5' tall and has slots for storing phonographs. Is it worth anything to someone restoring stuff or is it missing too much. I thought it would make a lovely display case if it had glass doors but if it has value as is, I won't consider modding it.

The veneer is chipped very slightly on the bottom of the sides. And the wheels are plastic so most likely replaced at some point. Google tells me these were made between 1907 and 1923.

I bought an Alhambra I from a thrift store with no reproducer, however it did come with an old crusty isolator and using the measurements from it and doing my own research gave me at least 5 different answers and I’m 89.3 percent sure a Victor Orthophonic No. 5 will fit but there is still a 10.7 percent chance I’m wrong so I figured I will let the experts handle this (measurements included in pictures)

Hello everyone! Last week, I responded to a Facebook Marketplace post about a National Cash Register 313 being sold for a pretty good deal. When I went to visit the seller, they had antiques scattered all over the house. According to the seller, they were selling the contents of the home for a family member who used to be an antique dealer and was getting out of the business. There was stuff EVERYWHERE.
Anyway, after looking at the cash register, I asked if they happened to have any phonographs or record players lying around. They mentioned they had a weird record player that used tube records. I was instantly intrigued!
It turned out to be a Columbia BKT Sears Oxford variant in pretty rough condition. It was covered in ANCIENT cobwebs, and the lid was completely shot. Miraculously, though, the elbow connecting the tonearm to the reproducer was still there.
I asked the seller how much they wanted for it, and they ended up throwing it in with the purchase of the cash register!
The bed plate had definitely seen better days and looked like it had already been painted over at some point, so I decided to strip the old finish and repaint it with an enamel tractor paint that’s fairly close to the original japanned finish. I polished the tonearm rather than repainting it, cleaned up the case, and partially serviced the motor by removing all the cobwebs and old lubricant. I relubricated it and injected new graphite grease into the mainspring barrel.
At this point, all I need is the correct spring for the belt tensioner, a new belt, and to rebuild the reproducer.

Hi! I recently acquired this Edison Phonograph, it works well but it needs some cleaning and I need to find the screw that regolates the speed. It goes at around 140, I read that the perfect speed it's 160.

Help me 🙏🏻

I know that it's probably inside, under the motor. (I managed to take some pictures of the inside, it can help pointing it.)

Ps. Need some cleaning and oiling, feel free to give an advice!

Sorry If you've seen this before, It's the third post that I make: I'm trying everything.

The governer keep hitting the brake at high speed.

It goes at around 140 rpm instead of 160 rpm.

I tried adjusting every screw in the video to the right or left, but it didn't help at all. Do you think the player is the problem? I also oiled the gears, but it seems worse than when I first tried it. I tried turning the screw that controls the brake all the way to the maximum, but after a while, it's just stuck.

Can't seem to find a solution, please help me, suggestions are well accepted!

Back from the dead are two motors for a Columbia Graphophone Type A and an Edison Triumph Model B.

I had to make a make a new brass governor gear for the Graphophone motor as the original had split. If anyone else in this predicament note that the a Triumph governor gear is an interchangeable replacement. But alas, I did not know that till after the fact spending a bit of time hobbing a new one.

The Edison motor has a set of new second and third pinion gears, sourced from Traxxas 5652 (for RC cars), annealed and bored to the 1/4" shaft size. The motor board has been sprayed with galvanizing paint after finding evidence for such a thing. But, definitely not nickeled.

BIL had this in his basement and we were wondering if anyone had any more info on it. Google says they were produced between 1918-1920.

I think all the parts are there but there are what looks like two large rings, (cast aluminum?) shattered to pieces.

I've never seen one of these up close but I'm suddenly extremely interested in it so any info would be much appreciated.

I can get more pics of anyone's interested

🎼I’ve got ONE turntable and NO microphone!🎶

Found this super cool, obviously only slightly visibly FUBAR, but not beyond repair (the eternal optimist in me lmao) RCA-Victor R-93 for $30 at an antique shop. Assuming 1931-1933 maybe? No radio- strictly turntable. I welcome any insight 🙂 bonus: anyone know why it wouldn’t have ANY vent holes?! I can’t figure that out- it’s electric! {boogie woogie woogie}

TL;DR - I have one for the group! Looking for some insight into the timeframe &/or specifically about this machine; thoughts; etc.; am doing my own research, but would love to hear the group’s knowledge!

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RCA bought out/Victor merged with RCA in 1928-ish, which was also the start of the Great Depression timeframe in the USA if I’m not mistaken. Please correct me if I’m wrong! I’m going to assume the advent of the radio, analog recording being essentially ‘ancient tech’ by 1925ish anyway, electricity essentially becoming more widespread in availability to the public at large, even in rural areas

It comes in a walnut box (it’s so cute!), has a HEAVY, “horseshoe magnet”-type tone arm/pickup- no kidding it weighs a 💩2,000#️⃣ lmao, is devoid of required (& assuming) one-use replaceable needle, with a heavy motor (am assuming induction type motor), two wired audio “outs” in the rear, and a presumable “on” switch with high and low variation- assuming adjustment for 78 range only?

I’m doing my own research currently; looks like motors aren’t horrible- mostly issues with desiccated rubber and leathers- it seems more of the “horseshoe magnet” pickup not being magnetized any longer, desiccated and ruined parts within that require rebuilding, etc. surprises likely abound. But for $30? Why the heck not?

I stumbled upon this literally. Antique shop in downtown Chicago, something out of a hairy powder fever dream; cavernous, catacomb-like underworld (pic for your viewing {dis/dys/pleasure) with 4’ clearance to walk and generally just around 6’ lol. Only hit my head ONCE on a cast iron sewer pipe, but hey at least it was clean{er} because of all the idiots before (and including lol) me who did the same thing lmao.

There was this weird what appeared to be a cylinder machine, no lid, had a German-made, two-spring *key-wound, not electric,*motor, but there was some kind of soldered wire connector thing near the outer part of the cylinder. I’ll grab a pic next time I’m there.

I love random curiosities, particularly things like these, especially when they just seem to appear outside the “normal scope” of what you find widely and almost everywhere.

Thanks for coming by and looking! Have a wonderful day.

My fiance and I took over a house that was owned by an extended family member of mine. Among many, many other things that were left throughout the house, this was one of them. We've found information about the John Widdicomb Furniture Co. which originated in Grand Rapids however we havent been able to dig up anything that would give us insight on the age or value of this specific piece. I would say the condition is a little "dull" on the exterior but the inside seems to be surprisingly well off. If anyone out there knows anything or could give us some tips on how to find the information we're looking for it would be soooo greatly appreciated!!

Hi all! I’m new to posting, but a relative just passed away and unfortunately the valuing of assets has begun. She had this beautiful phonograph, it’s in working order and she had a box of records (22 that are compatible) and some extra parts too. I’m wondering what would be the value of this piece is, as some family members want it and other want to sell it (just burn my house down when I die). If there’s any knowledgeable people out there, please let me know what you think the value is!

I got my first phonograph last Tuesday.It is 18 inches wide, 21.5 inches deep and 8/13.5 inches high open/closed. It operates fine, but I'm curious about the year. It did come with some thin, medium, thick, and two tungsten needles. It does need two pieces of material for the lid to sit when closed, a foot on the bottom and it looks like a piece is missing on the top right of the platter and possibly a placard. Would it be possible to find any of these parts?

Anyone know any anything about this cecilian phonograph? It was given to me from a friend.

… without looking it OVER first!

tl;dr - optimal (imo) outcome on a well-prepared surface; applied layer upon layer; not even close to finished, however lol

How:

1. it looked

2. it’s supposed to look

3. chemically stripped looks (prob alcohol)

4. a clean, even & initial shellac layer looks

5.-8. ten to 12 follow-on coatings look.

This is garnet shellac flakes.

I guesstimate around 1 cup flake to 3 or so cups of denatured alcohol. I may have to find/try/add some ruby if I can get it; my understanding is it’s not too much different than garnet, though?

Have a great day. Thank you for stopping.

P.S. don’t worry about the drips :) already took care of ‘em 😏