Hi Everyone! As many of you know, I collect antique and vintage phonographs and 78 rpm records spanning decades of amazing music. (Recently I have also been collecting vintage 45's). I have always been heavily into music and music has been a part of my life forever! My grandfather, father and brother were all musicians. Having an enormous collection of CD's and eventually succumbing to an Ipod and Bose dock for it, one day I happened upon a perfectly working old crank PAL phonograph in an antique shop, bought it and it started a magical journey through centuries of music as heard the way they were originally heard by folks since the early to mid part of the 20th century!
Nothing could be more amazing to me than discovering a bunch of old records, bringing them home and playing them. Obviously, all of these recordings were pressed before my time and many of them I was hearing for the first time ever! Eventually, I added more pristine players like my Brunswick, a cabinet Sonora and a restored 1916 Stewart. I read that the Victrolas were the most heavy duty and lasted well through the ages and I found those to have the best sound of all the portables. I currently have two Victrolas, one dating from the 20's and one from the late 30's- early 40's.
As I learned more about collecting 78 records, I found that the nail like needles on the old crank players did damage to the records with every play so I was prompted to get an industrial Califone and invest in a special needle for the 78's. I am using the Astatic 81T. Califone's are amazing machines. I have the 1455K model and it has shock absorbing feet, bass and treble controls, a lighted tone arm and even a built in stroboscope for optimum pinpoint record speed. My Califone is set up strictly for 78's. I also have a professional heavy duty P.A. Turntable by Educational Industries Corp for the 45's as well as a Jensen with MP3 encoding. Also in the collection are a remarkable Eames Era Magnavox (my all time fave phono!), a Bakelite RCA, 2 Newcombs and a 50's Westinghouse! Most recent additions are a 60's Silvertone portable and a WICKED Grundig console which my friend Bryan helped me get functioning awesomely!
I was initially finding many bargains in the way of 78 records at the flea markets and thrift stores. It seemed no one was that interested in them and as a result they were around for many years collecting dust (and mildew!!) After becoming a serious collector, I began being more selective and have searched for particular rarer items from specialty dealers and at auction (like the big Nauck's vintage record auction). That is not to say I am above 'rescuing' a forgotten box of bargain records in the dusty corner of any flea market, antique shop, barn, cellar or garage as I have gotten some amazing things this way, not to mention VERY dirty hands and I have encountered alot of mouse poop. It seems mice like music as well!
Everything I have is kept in acid free archival sleeves and cleaned with Groovy cleaner (for 78's) and cloth diapers for a lint free finish. Many of the friends I have made via this hobby have taught me SO much about the finding, keeping and care of these gems. Special thanks to Charlie Rigolosi, Kurt Nauck, Cris Vangel, Bryan, Craig the Record King, RaymondT, Shaun, and Diane. Of all the obssessions I have had in my lifetime, none has been more fun, important and inspirational for me and such a catalyst for sanity in my life.
Music is the soundtrack to life! Here I will share some of my latest record scores, phonographs and will choose a weekly tune to play for you. Cris told me I have the perfect voice for the radio and we have talked about internet radio broadcasting but so far we have only just begun our research. Maybe Radio Tink will be next!
I have created a forum for music collectors and you can visit by clicking here:
Also, now available! The Official Atomic Vinyl Zombie buttons! Each magical button measure 1 1/2" and says 'Atomic Vinyl Zombies the club for ravenous record fiends' and features a fabulous little Zombie boy holding a 45 adapter! Proclaim your allegiance to the Vinyl Zombies! A 3 pack of buttons for $5.00 with free shipping! Vinyl Zombies Unite!
