WaxCylinderFilter - Long Distance Gift Advice for an Audiophile
December 6, 2008 4:37 PM Subscribe
Need help figuring out if it's worthwhile or not to purchase an antiquey, expensive-ish gift without the benefit of in-person research.
I am considering purchasing a wax cylinder player for my boyfriend as a Christmas gift. We saw the player while on vacation this summer in an antique shop across the country (in my hometown), and he was very taken with it. I believe if shipping hadn't seemed like such an issue, he might have purchased it right then and there.
I have contacted the shop, and they still have the player. However, I really have no way of knowing the value of the thing. It is a 1903 Edison, and the shop owner says it still plays. My boyfriend is an acoustical consultant and a teacher of music engineering, so he'll know the difference if it turns out to be shitty, but I think the fact that he was so taken with it initially is worthwhile.
Does anyone out there know anything about this era of wax cylinder players and/or have any suggestions as to how I can learn a little more about it before purchasing?
I am considering purchasing a wax cylinder player for my boyfriend as a Christmas gift. We saw the player while on vacation this summer in an antique shop across the country (in my hometown), and he was very taken with it. I believe if shipping hadn't seemed like such an issue, he might have purchased it right then and there.
I have contacted the shop, and they still have the player. However, I really have no way of knowing the value of the thing. It is a 1903 Edison, and the shop owner says it still plays. My boyfriend is an acoustical consultant and a teacher of music engineering, so he'll know the difference if it turns out to be shitty, but I think the fact that he was so taken with it initially is worthwhile.
Does anyone out there know anything about this era of wax cylinder players and/or have any suggestions as to how I can learn a little more about it before purchasing?
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Another thing might be to find someone in your hometown to vouch for it. You might be able to find such a person thru the internet, ask whoever it is you know who still lives there who they know who's into stereo stuff, or go to the yellow pages (to start with). Maybe call up stereo stores and see if any name comes up more than another if you ask about olde tymey audiophile stuff.
posted by rhizome at 9:15 PM on December 6, 2008