Old Things Are Cool

Bing Bang Bing 'Em on the Rhein, Boys!

(This may be obscure unless you have actually listened to that WWI Victrola disk.)

I haven't researched, but seeing the platter's label, were they like a barbershop quartet?

From post 5, it sounds like it.

More like a proto ring-the-chord mens quartet. At that stage of recording/reproducing music, people were becoming aware that the means for each member to hear themselves in relation to the rest of the singers/group/band was at hand.

Well I guess that beats my working 1950's Heathkit FM4 tube radio and 30 watt tube amp I run with it by a few decades!

Those are really cool. My Grandmother had a Victrola with a hand crank that I played with as a kid. She had a bunch of 78's. I thought it was stupid listening to it because I was just getting into rock, like Kiss, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath.

What I wouldn't do to have it and those 78's now..... Ironic!

Welcome back, Lyn.

We have a wind-up upright phonograph very similar to yours that belonged to my wife's grandmother. It didn't work when we got it and had not worked for a long time.

I took it apart to see if I could fix it. (It's wonderful that old things are put together with screws so you can take them apart!) I got the springs out of the cans, (which are like mechanical bombs).

One spring was broken at the end at the hole which hooked on a tab on the inside of the can. I made a new hole with a Dremel tool, reassembled it, and now it works just fine. My wife's mother was thrilled to hear it play again.

Thanks. Broken springs are usually the result of over winding.

Once, that sound was considered state of the art.

"1921 Edison - This floor model 1921 record player plays thick records. These records are approximately 3/8 inch thick. The metal hardware such as the record deck, arm,hinges, crank are gold plated. The horn curves down and the sound comes out the front. There is a volume control of sorts. A sliding gate that covers the end of the horn..."

Here's that song....

I like the look of this one from the 50's....

Good to see you back. Was beginning to worry you had shuffled off your mortal coil.

.

Old things are cool. Old live things are better.

Simple, its Lyn.

I didn't even realize it was him who started the thread.

Apparently he got let out of Liberals Anonymous rehab?

Oh, he missed us, indeed.

Thanks for reminding me why I quit coming here.

You too, gutmonarch.

LOL - that is hilarious. Come on Lyn, you know it just isn't the same forum without your keen input.

Gee, thanks Lyn. I missed you too.

Yes I have one of those things, including a cupboard full of records including 78's, memory's, welcome back.

Welcome back Kotter! Glad to hear your still kickin'!

Did you know Alexander Graham Bell personally?

Sorry - pretty lame, I know.

But, seriously, yes - old things are cool; and many old people too.

Thanks!

Never mind ethernet. Bring back clockwork!

Is it hard to find needles for Victrolas?

Nah, just go break off a Texas, NM, or Arizona mesquite needle, and you are good to go!

You can try a cactus needle if fresh out of mesquite.

Tsk, Tsk. I don't have a "Victrola", I have an Edison phonograph, so I can't say.

It is not something that we use regularly. I bought it for my wife, as a gift.

I do know that experts say that Edison needles must be used on Edison records as "the more common" Victrola needles will destroy the records. Antique phonograph supply houses do have them.

Edison cleverly designed his records to be too thick to be played on other machines of the day as well. The mechanics of the machines made the thicker records impossible to play because they were, simply, to thick.

Many people mistake Edison's as Victrolas although the two companies had no connection except as competitors. You will see the term "Edison Victrola" many places, especially ebay.

Finally, I know you thought I'd NEVER shut up, the machines/records were designed to provide 5 minutes of playing time when run at 80 RPM.

Don't ask me what time it is or I'll tell you how to build a watch.

What time is it? It is time you got back on here, and keep us entertained!

That is very cool, Lyn. Are you a picker these days?

Good hunting!

There's a guy in Gettysburg, VA that sells (or used to) Needles for the things, and makes repairs as well... If ya need help, pm me and I'll get his info If I can still find it.

I have a 1910's RCA Victrola that still plays and a bunch of 78's. bought some at yard sales back in the 80s.

Thanks.