How I Started In Phonographs
For years I never thought I’d be able to afford my
own crank-wound Victrola. The prices at antique stores were simply
too high for me to have the novelty of owning one. However, after meeting
Gary I found out that they’re a lot cheaper and easier to find than one might
think. My first phonograph was a suitcase model from England and it
was made in the 1940’s. It was crank-operated and broken when I bought
it. Gary showed me how to fix the motor. After that I knew how
to work on phonographs. My second phonograph was a cabinet model mahogany
Victrola from 1915. That was my 18th birthday gift from my dad.
He provided the funds and a little old woman in Fenton, MI provided the phonograph
for $100. It was broken, but I really liked it. We hauled it
home in Gary’s truck, wrapped in blankets, and began work on it right away.
Soon I had my first cabinet model Victrola. Both of those have been
sold for over a year now, but since I have bought better phonographs and
many more records.