Featured Phonograph № 18

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Paal1994
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Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Paal1994 »

Make: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Model: Amberola 30
Serial: # SM - - 59120
Year(s) Made: 1915-1925 (offered until 1929)
Original Cost: $30
Case/Cabinet Size: Table top, 12.75"H, 12.5"W, 16"D, Golden oak cabinet
Turntable/Mandrel: Mandrel 4¾" long
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Diamond Model C
Motor: Single Spring
Horn Dimensions: 6"t x 8"w
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: ?
Interesting Facts: The cheapest and best selling of three cylinder machines introduced by Edison in 1915 (Amberola 30-50-75). Instead of a belt, this machine is driven by a worm gear. Production stopped in 1925 but it was offered until Edison closed down his record and phonograph division in 1929.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_29t0Zht7fs[/youtube]
Attachments
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Phono 007.JPG
Phono 008.JPG

gramophoneshane
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by gramophoneshane »

That's a really nice original 30 Paal. It's a fairly early one too, with the speed control on top of the gear cover- although the earliest ones had a nickel plated reproducer.
You were lucky to get the original grille with the machine. That seems to be something of a rarity these days.
It's easy to see why this was such a successful model. I love them, and the sound quality you get from that little horn still amazes me.

Did you find it in the wild, online or get it from a collector?
It's obviously lived the good life, and has been loved & looked after, unlike many.
Thanks for sharing it with us :)

BTW: Does anyone know an approximate timeline for when the reproducer was changed from nickel to black, and when the ID tag was moved from the horn compartment to the bedplate?

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Paal1994
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Paal1994 »

Shane,

I belive this one is from 1916 or 1917. I can't remember which of the years it was.
I also love the 30. And it is indeed great sound quality for such a little horn.

I got it at http://www.phonophan.com which is an excellent website if you want to buy a phonograph. They restore many of the phonographs they get there but mine was only overhauled and all parts are original on the machine.

Paal.

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MordEth
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by MordEth »

Paal,

Thanks for sharing your Amberola 30 with us—they’re nice little machines. (And of course, I’ve gotten to enjoy quite a few of your videos on YouTube, featuring cylinders played on it.)

Ironically, early this morning (before I opted to get some sleep) I was discussing this model and the 50.

The oak cabinet is very handsome, and yours appears to be in excellent condition.

I imagine you get a lot of use out of it. :D

— MordEth

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EdisonSquirrel
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by EdisonSquirrel »

That's a good Amberola 30, Paal. I've listened to all your Youtube videos featuring the machine and look forward to additional uploads. The grille cloth is quite distinctive.

:squirrel:

Rocky

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Paal1994
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Paal1994 »

David,

I love the 30. It's such an elegant little machine and it's incredibly loud and clear. I use it almost every day.


Rocky,

I'm so glad you enjoy my YouTube videos. The Amberola is as said above, a great little machine and I will upload more as soon as I get the time.


Paal.

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Valecnik
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Valecnik »

Paal,

I see you have a nice Georgia Melodians tune, "Spanish Shawl" teed up and ready to play. It's a great tune for demonstrating the capabilities of your machine and shows your good taste in music. ;)

Cheers,
Valecnik

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Paal1994
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Paal1994 »

Valecnik wrote:Paal,

I see you have a nice Georgia Melodians tune, "Spanish Shawl" teed up and ready to play. It's a great tune for demonstrating the capabilities of your machine and shows your good taste in music. ;)

Cheers,
Valecnik
"Spanish Shawl" is a great tune. Since it's a 1926 recording of the Georgia Melodians, I didn't expect so much out of it.
Their 1924 recordings are better.
By 1926 it was another band using the same name. But when I played it, it was fantastic, absolutely one of their best 1926 recordings.

Paal.

richardh

Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by richardh »

Paal, thats a great machine. I have to say of all the types of materials used for cabinets...oak is always my favourite. As others have commented you sure get good sound from what appears to be a small horn. Your you tube videos are also very polished and present the machine very well. Thanks for sharing it.

Regards

RJ 8-)

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Paal1994
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Re: Featured Phonograph № 18

Post by Paal1994 »

richardh wrote:Paal, thats a great machine. I have to say of all the types of materials used for cabinets...oak is always my favourite. As others have commented you sure get good sound from what appears to be a small horn. Your you tube videos are also very polished and present the machine very well. Thanks for sharing it.

Regards

RJ 8-)
Thank you Richard!
Oak is my favorite material to cabinets too. I'm glad you liked my YouTube videos. Not very professional, but I think they manage to demonstrate the machine very good.

Paal.

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