price of a restored amberol 50

[debndunk]

Hi can anyone tell me what I would have to expect to pay for an amerola 50, fully restored? Many thanks Gordon.

[Jerry B.]

You should be able to buy an Amberola 50 in good working order from $300 to $500. Mahogany is more common than oak. Jerry

[ewok]

I am a newbie and my budget is always limited. Let me share my limited experience as a newbie.

When I searched for my first real phonograph to purchase, I ordered the book "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric Reiss at the same time. It's a very helpful and comparatively inexpensive book. I have been doing all reapirs DIY following that book and other resource on the internet. Also, ask questions here when you encounter phonograph-related problems and try to make friends with local collectors.

Maybe that's me but I feel that keeping machines made 80 or 90 years ago means one has to deal with broken parts on a regular base. It's simply not practical to have EVERYTHING done by a professional!

Hi can anyone tell me what I would have to expect to pay for an amerola 50, fully restored? Many thanks Gordon.

[debndunk]

Thanks fella's for the input. I'll take on board all your answers to my questions. Gordon.

[Brad]

...

Maybe that's me but I feel that keeping machines made 80 or 90 years ago means one has to deal with broken parts on a regular base. It's simply not practical to have EVERYTHING done by a professional!

...]

I may be taking your quote too literally, but I have found that these machines RARELY break, they do occasionally break, but it is rare. More often than not, you will come across a broken machine and once it is repaired, one should not have major issues. They can be, however, a bit finicky at times requiring minor adjustments to keep them playing well.

Having said that, I do agree with you, having ones machines maintained professionally would be prohibitively expensive. Having them professionally fixed, then dealing with the temperaments oneself should be a skill easily learned by just about anyone.

Others can comment.

[VintageTechnologies]

Brad: Likewise, in my experience, breakage of any kind rarely happens. Two broken springs over the last 40+ years; those broke while playing, not while winding. The rest of my endeavors has been restoration (new reproducer gaskets, etc.), adjustments and routine oiling.

[kirtley2012]

Brad: Likewise, in my experience, breakage of any kind rarely happens. Two broken springs over the last 40+ years; those broke while playing, not while winding. The rest of my endeavors has been restoration (new reproducer gaskets, etc.), adjustments and routine oiling.

same here, once i get a machine running, it stays running, in the last 4 years i have never had a problem with a machine, my edison fireside came as a wreck, even then it only needed a few parts and alot of adjustment and oiling and i have never had a problem with it since

[ewok]

Hmm....maybe I did not have correctly restored machines to begin with and I am still on the first part of my learning curve. However, I have a lot of fun keeping my hands busy (and dirty)!