Opera (Concert) questions.

[Mr Grumpy]

Hey All,

I recently acquired a beautiful oak Edison Opera (Concert) and am having a few issues with it.
I haven't really ever studied one of these before so there are some things that I think are incorrect on it.

First off, the corner columns.
I recently purchased some reproduction corner columns for this machine and I don't think they fit properly.
I could easily assume that the columns are incorrect but I'd like some opinions.

These are the columns that were on the machine when I purchased it.
The case is original but looks to have been cleaned with something that removed
most of the shellac. The previous owner looks to have replaced the columns with a pine corner molding
that they chiseled and sanded the banding detail into.

The ones I purchased don't completely hide the joint at the corner of the case at the narrowest part of the
column.

Is this correct?

Lastly, the column seems too long. I can sand them down a bit on both ends to make them level with the
case, but the rear ones will still probably interfere with the opening of the case bedplate.

Should the rear columns be slightly different than the front?

Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

[barnettrp21122]

I've had a loose column on my Opera ever since I bought it. Now I'm glad I haven't reglued it yet so I could take a picture!
Your columns should all be the same length and not extend above the cabinet corners. Sanding the ends will of course affect the appearance of the round turns.
When I bought mine at auction years ago one corner column was missing, and I was aware of that. Imagine my happy surprise when a couple weeks later the auction house sent me the column it had found!
Bob

[Mr Grumpy]

Thanks very much for the reply Bob, the pictures definitely clear up the height issue.

Does you column fully cover the joints in the corner of the case,
or is part of the joint exposed - as in my second attached image?

[marcapra]

On my oak Opera, the columns completely cover the corner joints, and the height goes up to about ⅛" below the top of the cabinet.

[barnettrp21122]

Thanks very much for the reply Bob, the pictures definitely clear up the height issue.

Does you column fully cover the joints in the corner of the case,
or is part of the joint exposed - as in my second attached image?

The tops of the my cabinet corner joints under the wooden top frame are exposed just like your 2nd picture.
Bob

[Mr Grumpy]

Great, a variance. Thank you for your help gentlemen.

I have a friend with an original column that I'll try on, if it fits better I'll
have a set turned from it.

[Canuk Phonographs]

Vince,
If you need some old oak for turning, let me know. We can also turn the corners for you out here in Stratford from old white oak pieces.
Blain

[Mr Grumpy]

Sounds awesome Blain, I'll call you. Thank you.

I'll be picking up an original later this week.

[JerryVan]

Mr. Grumpy,

How about posting a few pics of the whole machine? Would love to see it. If you need some dimensions taken off some original columns let me know. I'll even convert them to metric for you. (In Km of course)

[Mr Grumpy]

Mr. Grumpy,

First of all, I think we should be on a first name basis by now Jerry, Please call me 'Mr.' going forward.

I'd love to know the height of your columns. The ones I have are 4 ⅝" and I'm pretty sure the one my friend is giving me is the same height. Imperial measurements are fine, I don't want anyone suffering an aneurysm.

I'm also concerned about the width of the column at the base. Some of the pictures I've seen on the interwebs show some variances.

For example,

My reproduction columns look like the ones pictured below...

ooperacab.jpg (257.58 KiB) Viewed 1790 times

The molding base of these columns look to be around the same diameter as the cases bottom molding (if that makes sense) - see close up below, the column molding actually looks fatter than the case molding on this one.
The seller of this machine claims that this Opera is original and maintains it's original finish.

ooperacab-close.jpg (72.33 KiB) Viewed 1790 times

The one picture below seems to have columns that are slightly slimmer than the case's bottom molding - similar to the pictures Bob added.

767225-xlose.jpg (45.56 KiB) Viewed 1790 times

What do yours look like Jerry?
I've completely disassembled the machine for cleaning but will post pictures soon.