The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi to you all! I am very happy to have subscribed to this forum

I'm a completely newbie (also, a non english speaker, as you can tell) and some time ago I bought this phonograph on Ebay (online auction).

eBay listing said Edison Standard Phonograph Model B about 1904, 4 minutes reproducer

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nS8AAOSw ... -l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/u6cAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lSIAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/e-0AAOSw ... -l1600.jpg

But from what I've read on this page https://www.antiquephono.org/spotters-g ... honograph/ , this should be a model A "new style case" (serial number is 152.446). It seems to me in good conditions.
The listing also said it is working, but I still haven't tried it.

From what I understood then, the reproducer is not from Edison, but from Edison-Bell, an English factory. In fact, I bought this model from England. (Since I'm in Europe, usually I don't buy from America because of the high import taxes and shipping costs)

I also need a horn and i bought a reproduction 14" from India (this one https://www.ebay.it/itm/Edison-Full-Bra ... SwA0ZZzSVO). Furthermore, the arm is not the normal one but it looks like the cygnet horn arm. To be able to attach my horn I will need an adapter, because without adapter it goes vertical.

I don't understand much about the phonograph working. At the moment I am unable to open the door of the mechanism (perhaps due to a damaged screw, which was reported in the eBay registration?)

In addition, I only have 4 2-minutes cylinders vs. more than 50 4-minutes (Blue Amberol) and I thought I had a machine suitable for 4 minutes ones

Can anyone give me an opinion about my purchase and how to proceed to use it? Any suggestions (and help) are welcome

Hello Maxim, and welcome to the Forum!

Your machine is indeed an Edison Standard Model A, and it has been equipped with an "Amberol Attachment" which allows both 2-minute and 4-minute cylinders to be played (with the proper reproducer). Just pull out the small knurled knob on the left side of the machine to put it into 4-minute mode.

I can't make out the type of reproducer you have, but the stylus bar looks like that of a 4-minute sapphire. If so, you're equipped to play those 4-minute records.

The carrier arm is an Edison update (like the Amberol Attachment) which allows the use of a large diaphragm reproducer such as a Model O or Model N. Your carrier has a reducer ring (original equipment) to allow the use of a smaller diaphragm reproducer or a recorder.

You can inspect/lubricate the motor by removing the crank and carefully lifting the wooden frame which surrounds the mechanism. There should be a catch on the left side to lock it open.

Edison-Bell imported Edison Phonographs into the UK for many years, so the reproducer may well have been bought by the original owner of this machine.

Your Standard, as you noted, a crane bracket for a Cygnet horn. This was probably added at the same time as the Amberol Attachment (after 1908).

The machine's serial number indicates it left the factory in June 1904.

I see you've already found the Antique Phonograph Society's web site, which is an excellent source of reliable information. If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the article posted there titled, "Basic Antique Phonograph Operational Tips."

https://www.antiquephono.org/basic-anti ... onal-tips/

Have fun!

George P.

It appears only one of the image links is working (on my phone anyway) so I've reproduced the photo below.

Hi, thank you for your response!

Reproducer has "NEW MODEL" engraved on it. According to this website http://www.edisonshop.com/reproducers/ducer.html, "Pictured is a 'NEW MODEL' - essentially that companies answer to the Edison 'C'". (however, I can't see the picture on that page )



Sorry I didn't realize how upload images (however image links are working for me)

Yes, that certainly looks like a 4-minute stylus bar. If the stylus is good, you should be in good shape.

George P.

OK, thank you very much, this is a real good news!

Do you know if among forum users there's some replacement-parts seller who lives in Europe and can get me an elbow adapter to put my horn on carriage?

To my knowledge, the New Model reprodcer is strictly a 2-minute reprodcer. The Crystol is the 4-minute reproducer and extremely rare. If the stylus bar is 4 minute, then it's possible the stylus bar was changed sometime in it's life.