edison early standard model "a" info

[joesp1]

Hi All,

My name is Joe and I just got for my birthday a Edison early 1901 standard banner phonograph from my girlfriend. I have been wanting one since I was a kid, and the phonograph is way cool! LOL !!!The machine, to me, seems to be correct. Could you guys tell me the date of manufacture or sales by the serial # S51398. The machine sounds great but has a reproduction horn. Could you advise on a date correct horn to the machine to complete it? Any additional info is appreciated. Thanks.

Joe

[gramophone78]

Hi All,

My name is Joe and I just got for my birthday a Edison early 1901 standard banner phonograph from my girlfriend. I have been wanting one since I was a kid, and the phonograph is way cool! LOL !!!The machine, to me, seems to be correct. Could you guys tell me the date of manufacture or sales by the serial # S51398. The machine sounds great but has a reproduction horn. Could you advise on a date correct horn to the machine to complete it? Any additional info is appreciated. Thanks.

Joe

Welcome to the forum Joe. It is always better and recommended attaching detailed pics of your machine in question. This will help members provide you with some of the information you seek.

[martinola]

Congratulations and welcome, Joe!

The model A Standard in the green oak case is one of my favorite machines. Extrapolating from dates I know, I'd say your machine was probably shipped around February or March 1902. As the others have said, please post a photo or two of your new machine - we always like to see pictures.

Regards,
Martin

[phonogfp]

Martin nailed it - - Standard No.51398 left the factory about March 1902.

And as other have said, one photo speaks a thousand words...and two or three are even better!

George P.

[joesp1]

Hi guys, uploaded some pict's of the machine. Thanks for the sale date info. I want to clean the dirt off it, get a period correct horn, some cylinders, and enjoy it!!! any help is welcome Joe

[Lucius1958]

Some nice early features on that Standard: sidearm reproducer, adjusting screw, speaker clamps...

It would have come with a 14" black & brass horn as standard equipment (there are threads here about how to tell originals from repros); but there were plenty of aftermarket horns available at the time. A large brass horn with a floor crane would be very nice.

Bill

[joesp1]

Thanks Bill,The early features caught my eye. Do you think the machine is original (came from the factory like that)? I don't think it was put together from other machine parts,but I do not know. Please feel free to pick this one apart , its all good and I can learn. Lots of questions, does anybody have a horn for it? Hesitant about gojoe on the case (leaves a greasy film on my hands) etc,etc. I do feel you guys are the experts and any advice is appreciated. Thanks Joe

[phonogfp]

That Standard has all the hallmarks of March 1902 manufacture/sale. There's no reason to suspect it's been pierced together.

George P.

[joesp1]

Thanks, I too feel it is an original machine. If the machine sits for say 4 or 5 months does it matter if the spring is wound up or is it best to store unwound? Joe

[phonogfp]

If the machine sits for say 4 or 5 months does it matter if the spring is wound up or is it best to store unwound? Joe

I and many others always let the mainspring unwind when finished playing. On a cylinder machine this is especially easy - - just let it run down!

For disc machines, it's a better idea to let it run almost all the way down. The turntable can act as a flywheel and keep unwinding the mainspring after it has come to full rest - - sometimes resulting in the mainspring popping off the arbor.

I have a Victor I that will do this every time it's allowed to run all the way down. Fortunately, by simply opening the top of the cabinet and setting the catch, the mainspring can be wound and will re-attach itself if the motor sits at a 90-degree angle. Works every time!

But not all disc machines are so accommodating...

George P.