i have recently bought a ediphone shaver that has been mounted in a edison opera case, if i were ever to find a edison opera motor, bedplate and upper works i would mount it in the case
what would a opera motor, bed plate and upper works cost (with or without reproducer and horn) or even entire operas in ruined condition with a case beyond repair and rusty/damaged upper works
let me know
Alex
how much would a wrecked opera cost?
- kirtley2012
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
I am always cautious when I look at an Opera because the same basic mechanism is found in an Amberola 1-A or III. A few years ago, one of the dealers at the CAPS sale had an Opera like machine made from an Amberola mechanism. Jerry B.
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
The problem probably is that a parts machine would cost so much to properly restore. The repainting is tricky, and essential to have it maintain integrity. If I were you Kirtley2012, I would hang on to the case, and if by chance you find the piece later on complete it. I know the impulse is to find super cheap bargins, but keep in mind that if you hold out and save up, you may get a nice complete solid machine that is far more enjoyable. Not to say restoring machines isnt fun too, but I found over the years that I rather have original pieces and that I wasted some of my resources accumulating projects that never got finished when if I had left the cash in the bank I could have snagged that one or two machines I chanced on.
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
I think I will try and accumulate parts for a opera starting with the biggest or opera parts machines to complete the case
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
I suppose it depends what your definition of wrecked is. My definition of wrecked is something that can not be restored, and may only be useful for salvaging a few parts from.
I would image a complete but poor condition Opera works (minus reproducer) would be somewhere around $1000 if you could find one.
The problem with a lot of less common complete motors for any high end phonograph is that most end up in the hands of dealers who strip them down & sell the parts separately because they can often double their money doing it.
In the same situation, I would contact George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonographs & ask if he has any complete Opera works in stock, & if so about condition & prices.
George (or anyone else for that matter) isn't going to sell something like this dirt cheap just because you're 14 yrs old, but George is one of the few dealers I would ever deal with because he seems to have a genuine interest in seeing machines being completed rather than being in it for the money, so his prices are always FAIR, and from my limited experience you'll pay George a lot less than you'd pay on ebay for the same thing.
I would image a complete but poor condition Opera works (minus reproducer) would be somewhere around $1000 if you could find one.
The problem with a lot of less common complete motors for any high end phonograph is that most end up in the hands of dealers who strip them down & sell the parts separately because they can often double their money doing it.
In the same situation, I would contact George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonographs & ask if he has any complete Opera works in stock, & if so about condition & prices.
George (or anyone else for that matter) isn't going to sell something like this dirt cheap just because you're 14 yrs old, but George is one of the few dealers I would ever deal with because he seems to have a genuine interest in seeing machines being completed rather than being in it for the money, so his prices are always FAIR, and from my limited experience you'll pay George a lot less than you'd pay on ebay for the same thing.
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
Shane, I second you high opinion of George V. I have been using him for awhile now. The service is great and it is just amazing what he can come up with.
Clay
Clay
Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume's Laws of Collecting
1. Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.
2. Shortage of finance, however dire, will never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.
1. Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.
2. Shortage of finance, however dire, will never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
well i may give him a go for parts!
out of interest, how much would the ediphone motor cost?
out of interest, how much would the ediphone motor cost?
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
Ediphone "Ekonowatt" motor, Perhaps $25.00-$40.00. Square Edison Business Phonograph motor, Well, I haven't yet found one for under $400.00, and I've been looking pretty actively for several years, now.
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
well what one is for this shaver?, i hope its the cheaper one!
Alex
Alex
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Re: how much would a wrecked opera cost?
Umm, that ain't not Opera case Alex. I think it's better!
It appears to be an IDELIA case but it's hard to tell from the photo. Can you post a picture of the cabinet front on?
You could buy at least 3 Opera's for the price of 1 Idelia.
It appears to be an IDELIA case but it's hard to tell from the photo. Can you post a picture of the cabinet front on?
You could buy at least 3 Opera's for the price of 1 Idelia.
Last edited by gramophoneshane on Sat May 12, 2012 10:32 am, edited 1 time in total.