What should I do with an Amberola DX

[bruv]

I picked up a DX minus the motor the other day. It isn't in too bad of shape, but needs cleaning and a motor. I wondered how much a motor would be for this? Also, would it be better to just part it out on the estand instead of putting it back together or sell it as a unit on the estand? Any advice would be appreciated.
Dave

[Victrolacollector]

My thoughts if it is not too cost prohibitive clean it up and replace the missing parts. Place a post in the Yankee Trader for the parts you need. One of our members may come through. If that does not work try Ron Sitko or George Vollema.

[fran604g]

The D-X reportedly used the same motor as the "Fireside". It would be interesting to know for certain (without any doubt whatsoever) if this was true. I took mine completely apart, and can supply you with detailed pictures if you choose to rebuild it.

This is a picture of it "after".

Best,
Fran

[mark gaisser]

SINCE IT IS A DX WITH THE FIRESIDE MOTOR I WOULD JUST STICK ANOTHER FIRESIDE MOTOR IN AND THEY RUN AROUND AROUND $100.00 FOR THAT.
HAVE FUN WITH IT ))
MARK

[bruv]

Thanks for the advice. I have a nice little DX and wondered if they are rare enough to warrant putting this one back or if they are so common that after I put it together I would have two not being able to sell it. I guess that is my dilema.

Dave

[briankeith]

Did the DX ever use the later model Gem motor? Just curious......

[52089]

Did the DX ever use the later model Gem motor? Just curious......

According to Frow, all Amberola X machines were marked X or DX, but there were iterations of the machine called BX and CX, though none were marked as such. He says the (A)X and (B)X used Gem D or E motors, the (C)X did not - but does not specify what was used - and the DX used the "Fireside type" motor.

The X was introduced in Oct. 1913, the DX in July 1914. All X series Amberolas were discontinued after the Edison factory fire in December 1914.

[FellowCollector]

You have a good number of the vital parts to this Amberola DX. That telescoping reproducer-to-horn section is frequently missing on this model and yours is present! The Amberola model DX does indeed use the Edison Fireside motor which is fairly common and it's a very well designed and reliable motor I might add. The Amberola X which had the Gem motor was a horrible idea especially for a 4 minute phonograph and (thankfully) few have survived! I have two Amberola model DX and (ugh!) one Amberola X model. I never play the Amberola X as it can bearly struggle through a cylinder. Anyway, clean up the DX you have and find a working Fireside parts phonograph (or better yet just the motor) on the cheap if you can and you'll have a rather hard to find little Amberola.

Doug

[Wagnerian]

Did the DX ever use the later model Gem motor? Just curious......

Yes, very definitely, they did.

Frow admits he is not clear on the various iterations of the Amberola X until one gets to the DX but mine shown in the rather poor photos is Serial Number 630 making it quite early and the belt tensioner pully is on the driving side of the belt which Frow reckons makes it a (B)X from Nov 1913. I'm obviously quite lucky with my X because the spring is good and plays though one and a bit Blue Amberols on one winding. The down side is that the motor has that very distinctive Gem-Motor-Noise and it is non too steady. Vocal records and dance stuff are fine but violin solos sound pretty horrible.

Tim W-W

General View

[fran604g]

Did the DX ever use the later model Gem motor? Just curious......

Yes, very definitely, they did.

Frow admits he is not clear on the various iterations of the Amberola X until one gets to the DX but mine shown in the rather poor photos is Serial Number 630 making it quite early and the belt tensioner pully is on the driving side of the belt which Frow reckons makes it a (B)X from Nov 1913. I'm obviously quite lucky with my X because the spring is good and plays though one and a bit Blue Amberols on one winding. The down side is that the motor has that very distinctive Gem-Motor-Noise and it is non too steady. Vocal records and dance stuff are fine but violin solos sound pretty horrible.

Tim W-W

Amberola X 002.jpg

Amberola X 003.jpg

Amberola X 004.jpg

Just curious Tim; the dataplate on your unit designates it as a "D" series model X (D-X)?

I'd like to see a photo of the dataplate, that's very interesting.

Fran