Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
brianu
Victor V
Posts: 2165
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:35 pm
Personal Text: on instagram as "oncedeadsound"
Location: just outside Philadelphia, PA

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by brianu »

antique1973 wrote:Thanks for all the excellent info gentlemen. :)
I will keep you all posted on how it turns out...

please do, especially if you pick up a b-19... they did some interesting things with the finishes on some of those.

User avatar
antique1973
Victor IV
Posts: 1281
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:30 am
Personal Text: Victor Z, Victrola 4-3

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by antique1973 »

brianu wrote:
antique1973 wrote:Thanks for all the excellent info gentlemen. :)
I will keep you all posted on how it turns out...

please do, especially if you pick up a b-19... they did some interesting things with the finishes on some of those.

It says here they were made of "red gum" wood. Where there any other
more rare woods used?

http://www.oldcrank.com/collection/edison_b19/b-19.html

estott
Victor Monarch
Posts: 4175
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:23 pm
Personal Text: I have good days...this might not be one of them
Location: Albany NY

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by estott »

There was an attempt to promote Gumwood in the 1920's for use in fine furniture and woodwork. It works well (excellent for turning) and select lumber has an attractive grain but with time it tends to warp and crack.

phonophan79
Victor IV
Posts: 1002
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:22 am

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by phonophan79 »

I definitely enjoy this machine.

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIfUU5ShDmM[/youtubehd]

User avatar
antique1973
Victor IV
Posts: 1281
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:30 am
Personal Text: Victor Z, Victrola 4-3

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by antique1973 »

phonophan79 wrote:I definitely enjoy this machine.

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIfUU5ShDmM[/youtubehd]

That is pretty neat how it has the belt drive. Nice machine!

User avatar
Covah
Victor II
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:31 am

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by Covah »

I believe these are supposed to have a flapper-type volume control in the reproducer. Otherwise there is no volume control. These reproducers with a knob on the side for volume are rare.

I've had a B-80 in my garage for years waiting for the correct reproducer. I regret buying it because it is so obscure. Condition is important. They do not age well. Good ones these days can be had cheap due to lack of demand.

Here is a B 19 for $200 and it probably won't go for that.

Image

User avatar
antique1973
Victor IV
Posts: 1281
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:30 am
Personal Text: Victor Z, Victrola 4-3

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by antique1973 »

Covah wrote:I believe these are supposed to have a flapper-type volume control in the reproducer. Otherwise there is no volume control. These reproducers with a knob on the side for volume are rare.

I've had a B-80 in my garage for years waiting for the correct reproducer. I regret buying it because it is so obscure. Condition is important. They do not age well. Good ones these days can be had cheap due to lack of demand.

Here is a B 19 for $200 and it probably won't go for that.

Image

Thanks Covah, that is helpful info. Nothing like a current Ebay auction to help gauge market value.
I think I need to bring a magnifying glass also to check the diamond. Seems like that is really
crucial considering the cost to replace them. If that london console I bought had a good diamond I
would have invested further in time and money to restore it.

Edisone
Victor IV
Posts: 1140
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:17 pm
Location: Can see Canada from Attic Window

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by Edisone »

B-19 is just a standard machine in a cheapo gumwood case; I'd go for the much more interesting B-80 IF it's in nice shape. If oak, even better.

User avatar
Valecnik
Victor VI
Posts: 3869
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:28 pm
Personal Text: Edison Records - Close your eyes and see if the artist does not actually seem to be before you.
Location: Česká Republika
Contact:

Re: Edison B-19 VS B-80 which is a better chioce?

Post by Valecnik »

antique1973 wrote:
brianu wrote:
antique1973 wrote:Thanks for all the excellent info gentlemen. :)
I will keep you all posted on how it turns out...

please do, especially if you pick up a b-19... they did some interesting things with the finishes on some of those.

It says here they were made of "red gum" wood. Where there any other
more rare woods used?

http://www.oldcrank.com/collection/edison_b19/b-19.html
Beachwood was used too. Those look real nice, almost like a light walnut color, more attractive than gumwood imho.

Post Reply