Edison Amberola B-VI

[phonogal]

I recently bought an Edison Amberola B-VI in oak and have a couple of questions about it. The front grill on this one is black metal. Is this correct? The bed plate is black which I understand is correct. The metal grill in front of the bed plate is black but the metal piece behind the bed plate is wood grained. Not sure what is original and didn't find the information in Frow. Thanks, Jan

[NEFaurora]

We need some pictures to determine what is what... so Please take some digital pics and post them.

Thanks,

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[phonogal]

We need some pictures to determine what is what... so Please take some digital pics and post them.

Thanks,

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Will get some pictures and post them in the morning. Thanks.

[52089]

I found this picture of the BVI I used to have. Hope this helps.

[FellowCollector]

Hi Jan, The original Amberola B-VI examples in oak that I have seen have a faux oak grain painted metal grille. The mahogany Amberola B-VI examples I have seen have an almost black painted metal grille (similar to what you are describing) that was likely a faux dark mahogany grain paint originally. Interestingly, The B-VI Amberola had the Fireside motor due primarily to the issues with the notoriously noisy Amberola A-VI motor and the Amberola C-VI also had the Fireside motor but mounted on the interesting elongated bedplate not unlike that found in the later style Amberola VIII. I have a very scarce Amberola D-VI which has an Amberola 50 (!!) motor. My presumption is that Edison and company wanted to use up the remaining empty Amberola C-VI cabinets that were not destroyed by the December 1914 fire and so they put the brand spanking new Amberola 50 motor and bedplates in them and out the door they went with the earlier Amberola VI ID plates but with "D-VI" stamped on them. I can't imagine there were many done this way and I've never seen another Amberola D-VI anywhere. I believe a similar tactic was used with the left over Amberola V cabinets after the 1914 fire. In any case, let's have a look at your B-VI pics when you have a chance to post them.

Doug

[phonogal]

Thanks everyone for all the information. Here are the pictures of what I have. I haven't done anything to it yet because I'm not sure what is correct and what isn't. Will appreciate every one taking a look. Let me know if there is something else I need to photograph. Thanks, Jan.

[phonogal]

It would look a lot better if the front grill and the small grill in front of the bed plate were wood grained. Is there anything else that needs to be changed? Thanks, Jan.

[mattrx]

Jan,

I just had a metal grill for my Amberola DX painted with wood grain. Tom Rutkowsky did a fabulous job on mine. Here is his email address should you need it: [email protected]

Matt

[Edisone]

Looks pretty cute, as it is. Probably sounds okay, too - those Amberola 5 & 6 horns were not bad. Would be nice if we could play 2-minute celluloid cylinders on them, too!

[phonogal]

Jan,

I just had a metal grill for my Amberola DX painted with wood grain. Tom Rutkowsky did a fabulous job on mine. Here is his email address should you need it: [email protected]

Matt

Thanks Matt, Will have to look into that. I have a DX too that needs a replacement grill painted. I wonder how hard it is to do yourself? Anybody have any luck with this? I may give it a try. After all, it is just paint and if it doesn't turn out, it can be repainted.(I would only try this on a reproduction part).