Featured Phonograph 126 - Diamond Disc/Amberola "mock up"
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:39 pm
Make: Edison
Model: No model on ID plate
Serial #: X122
Year(s) Made: probably around 1915
Original Cost: Unknown; probably not sold to the public
Case/Cabinet Size: Case is a standard Amberola 1 cabinet in oak, but it never housed an Amberola mechanism
Turntable/Mandrel: 12” turntable
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Early style nickel-plated Diamond Disc reproducer
Motor: Type B (standard) Diamond Disc motor with black bedplate, probably from B250 stock
Horn Dimensions: Standard 250 Diamond Disc horn
Reproduction Parts: None; a reproduction grill insert will probably be ordered from Gramps.
Current Value: Unknown
Interesting Facts: This is assumed to have been put together at the end of the life of the Amberola 1 using current Diamond Disc motors and overstock Amberola 1 cabinets.
A similar machine was discussed earlier in this thread:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6166
However, this machine has at least 4 significant differences:
1) The original Amberola decal is still present, but badly defaced
2) The original “divot” space on the right side of the cabinet is still present, and the “plug” to fill it is still attached to the lid
3) This machine retains 4 separate drawers
4) The bedplate on this machine is black and typical of the B250 mechanism with the sliding collar on the governor, but the support brackets are maroon(!)
This was probably a “mock-up” machine, made solely as an internal experiment as there is no falsework/trim around the bedplate, nor any holes to support the falsework, nor any sign of a volume control. This particular machine was certainly not intended to be offered to the general public, based on (among other things) the obliterated Amberola decal, and the mismatched maroon support brackets used to support a black motor bedplate.
The horn ferrule, crank, lid support and hinge, cabinet door knob, and lift mechanism parts are gold plated, but the reproducer, brake, turntable, and speed control knob are nickel plated.
The 4 drawers were all drilled for clips to hold cylinder boxes, but those clips were never installed.
Overall the cabinet is in quite good shape needing only cleaning and a small touch-up here and there, except for slightly buckling veneer on the lid top, which I will not attempt to fix. The motor is strong and runs at about 78-79 as is, but has only a single spring. There is oil all over the spring barrel from someone who attempted to lubricate the barrel with what appears to be motor oil. This is easily fixed. The early style reproducer has a good stylus but would probably benefit from a new diaphragm and gaskets.
The 4 drawers held about 75 Diamond Discs, almost all pre-war pressings in excellent condition and still in their original, mostly near-mint sleeves. More than half of the sleeves are the type with the descriptive narrative.
The machine had been in the seller’s family for at least 40-50 years. They had no idea how it was obtained.
While one can only speculate about how and why this machine came to be, it is nonetheless a fascinating example of Edison’s attempts to experiment and reduce costs.
Better pictures will be added as time permits. Apologies for the sideways shots - they show correctly on my non-Apple PC!
(And kudos to Fran for his assistance!)
Model: No model on ID plate
Serial #: X122
Year(s) Made: probably around 1915
Original Cost: Unknown; probably not sold to the public
Case/Cabinet Size: Case is a standard Amberola 1 cabinet in oak, but it never housed an Amberola mechanism
Turntable/Mandrel: 12” turntable
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Early style nickel-plated Diamond Disc reproducer
Motor: Type B (standard) Diamond Disc motor with black bedplate, probably from B250 stock
Horn Dimensions: Standard 250 Diamond Disc horn
Reproduction Parts: None; a reproduction grill insert will probably be ordered from Gramps.
Current Value: Unknown
Interesting Facts: This is assumed to have been put together at the end of the life of the Amberola 1 using current Diamond Disc motors and overstock Amberola 1 cabinets.
A similar machine was discussed earlier in this thread:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6166
However, this machine has at least 4 significant differences:
1) The original Amberola decal is still present, but badly defaced
2) The original “divot” space on the right side of the cabinet is still present, and the “plug” to fill it is still attached to the lid
3) This machine retains 4 separate drawers
4) The bedplate on this machine is black and typical of the B250 mechanism with the sliding collar on the governor, but the support brackets are maroon(!)
This was probably a “mock-up” machine, made solely as an internal experiment as there is no falsework/trim around the bedplate, nor any holes to support the falsework, nor any sign of a volume control. This particular machine was certainly not intended to be offered to the general public, based on (among other things) the obliterated Amberola decal, and the mismatched maroon support brackets used to support a black motor bedplate.
The horn ferrule, crank, lid support and hinge, cabinet door knob, and lift mechanism parts are gold plated, but the reproducer, brake, turntable, and speed control knob are nickel plated.
The 4 drawers were all drilled for clips to hold cylinder boxes, but those clips were never installed.
Overall the cabinet is in quite good shape needing only cleaning and a small touch-up here and there, except for slightly buckling veneer on the lid top, which I will not attempt to fix. The motor is strong and runs at about 78-79 as is, but has only a single spring. There is oil all over the spring barrel from someone who attempted to lubricate the barrel with what appears to be motor oil. This is easily fixed. The early style reproducer has a good stylus but would probably benefit from a new diaphragm and gaskets.
The 4 drawers held about 75 Diamond Discs, almost all pre-war pressings in excellent condition and still in their original, mostly near-mint sleeves. More than half of the sleeves are the type with the descriptive narrative.
The machine had been in the seller’s family for at least 40-50 years. They had no idea how it was obtained.
While one can only speculate about how and why this machine came to be, it is nonetheless a fascinating example of Edison’s attempts to experiment and reduce costs.
Better pictures will be added as time permits. Apologies for the sideways shots - they show correctly on my non-Apple PC!
(And kudos to Fran for his assistance!)