British/European telephone for use in US?

[cashewbeast2]

I've always been annoyed by the shrill ring of American telephones (landlines, that is). And I've always admired, if that's the word, the soft buzz of telephones in European films. Could I possibly get my hands on a British/European phone for use in the US? Would an adapter for the outlet be enough, or are there other telephonic equipment standards that would make it impossible?

Thanks to anyone who can shed light on this...