My new machine (Columbia AT) can be both seen and heard here: – http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =9&t=39764 . The previous owner, our colleague Alex (kirtley2012), has done some first-class restoration work on it; he gave many detailed reports on this on this Board from about last November onwards. His pictures are better than anything I am likely to be able to supply. The banner on the case is original (somewhat faded and rubbed, but still far too good to justify replacing it); the decorations on the upper works are facsimiles supplied by Gregg Cline (http://www.phonodecal.com). I believe the reproducer is the correct one for this model and date (this pattern is sometimes referred to as 'No. 2'), and it has an authentic glass diaphragm which, to my ears, gives a more sharply-defined sound than the more usual mica.Josh Cattermole 1999 wrote:Thanks Oliver. The spring seems to hold up really well and is very strong. When it winds it gets very very resistant once it has been wound for a bit, so I reckon the spring still holds considerable strength. As to the speed, I don't think it's perfect, but it sounds normal enough and, if anything, the odd speed adds to the atmosphere of playing an old machine like this. But I only play the machine as more of a novelty, so doesn't matter too much if the speed is a little off. more of a decorative piece now, though still cranks up and plays like a charm when needed.
Congratulations on your purchase, I love the 19th century machines so your example fits right in there. Really amazing Would love to see it.
Cheers.
Oliver Mundy.