Posted 8 years ago
SweetViolet
(20 items)
Hello everyone, I bought this wind-up phonograph here locally, in the Piedmont of North Carolina recently, and would like to learn a bit more about it. What I do know is that it is a Style X model phonograph, built around 1909 by the Standard Talking Machine Company. I know it was built around 1909 because it has what appears to be a retailer's or company's stamp on the bottom dated 1909. It is all original, including the paint on the horn. It also has a spindle on the cast iron turn table which is thicker than the standard, and is about 1/2 inch wide. I also know it is not a modern Indian reproduction phonograph. I oiled the motor, and when I wind it up, it holds a good tension in the spring, and runs for a long time. However, it runs much too fast, and when I drop the needle, it bogs down and stops. The only broken part I see is that the two lead weights mounted on most phonograph motors, are in my case detached. The metal strips have fatigued, and will need to be replaced for to reattach the weights. Is this causing my speed problem? Is this a rare model of phonograph; what might be its value? I am quite new to the old phonographs, other than how to operate one, not to repair one, other than my knowledge with antique typewriter repair, so any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you, and have a nice day!
Would be nice to see more pix. You are allowed 4.
Hi, I have since added 3 more photos. Thanks!
"Mo better". Thanks. Really nice piece you got !
Thank you!
Hi! I saw one of those Standard Talking Machine for sale at a few hours of road from. It was modified with a more usual and smaller spindle to accommodate records. Currently hesitating between it and a nice Colombia NB. Did you find anything about its value and rarity?
Hi Alex! I have learned a few things about this phonograph here in recent years. I have also seen a few more of them for sale as well. Here's what I know. In North Carolina, it appears that this was one of the most common machines sold at the time, and that may also be the case in a number of other parts of the country. This is because these machines were sold at a lower cost than other brands at the time, but you could only play the records manufactured by the company that built the record player, which is why these have the proprietary spindle, and that was how the manufacturer really made their money, through record sales. So, the fact that yours has a modified turntable spindle, which is something I have seen on other examples, could depending on who is buying the machine, increase the value a bit, because now you can play any standard 78 record on it. I would reckon that the Colombia NB you are looking at would be a less common, and more desirable and valuable model. These Standard brand machines are more of a novice collector model. I think Mike on American Pickers bought a similar Standard and paid $300 for it. I paid $100 for mine at a festival, I believe it was. Thank You for your interest, and good luck!