Just inherited my Great Grandmothers Edison Victrola

[Redjeep18]

Hey!! I would love to get my great grandmothers Edison Victrola working again. I need to purchase needles. Does anyone have any suggestions oh what kind and where to buy them? Here are the numbers on the Victrola!

LU-37
SM-25035

There is also an E 68210 stamped on the arm.

There’s some extra parts with it. Attached is the only pic I have until I pick it up this weekend!

[Roaring20s]

You've come to the right place.
Here is just some basic information to get started...
https://www.gracyk.com/diamonddisc.shtml

Here are some posts from this forum...
https://www.google.com/search?q=LU-37+e ... 04&bih=667

Others on the forum will chime in.

James

[AZ*]

The machine in the picture was designed to play vertically recorded Edison Diamond Discs. The record on the turntable is a 1940's laterally recorded 78 which is NOT intended for this machine. When you pick up the machine, there may be some Diamond Discs with it. The Diamond Discs have Edison's name and picture on the label and are ¼ inch thick. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE RECORDS WITH WATER! You will ruin them. Also, do not play the Edison records on a regular Victrola with steel needle. That will ruin them also.

[Garret]

Contact Wyatt Markus to replace the styli (semi-permanent needles) in your Edison Diamond Disc reproducers; they are most likely bad. Go on eBay and also buy some Diamond Disc records, or buy an adaptor to play the record pictured on the turntable. The equipment pictured isn't capable of playing the record on the turntable/platter.

Please also note that you own a phonograph, not a Victrola.

Garret
.

[Garret]

Yup, your reproducers need repairs. The hook on the stylus shouldn't be disconnected like it is shown in the picture, among other things. I highly recommend Wyatt Markus for repairs; he is the only one on the market with the capacity to properly replace the needles/styli on your reproducers.

See here: https://app.box.com/s/iyqqhtnwo12l3dne8eub1d904l6lhjtf

Garret

[fran604g]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the inheritance of your Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph (not Victrola - that is a type of internal horn talking machine produced by the Victor Talking Machine Co. of Camden, NJ).

Thomas A. Edison Inc. of Orange, NJ introduced the "London Upright" (LU) in August 1922, to meet the demand for an (relatively) inexpensive model to their extensive line of Disc Phonographs. The Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs were some of the most highly engineered machines of the era, and were produced in a wide variety of models from between 1912 until they stopped production forever in late 1929.

As has been pointed out, the Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs were produced to play their proprietorial Diamond Disc records specifically, and should not be used to play other "78" type records - unless using another type of reproducer specifically designed for the lateral-cut (side to side) groove of those records. Edison's Diamond Disc groove is cut using an up and down (Hill and Dale - or vertical-cut groove) - meaning that the diamond stylus of the Edison Reproducer will follow the groove in an up and down fashion, whereas the soundbox of a Victrola was designed to follow the "side to side" cut groove of a typical "78" record, which also propelled the Victrola tone arm across the record.

The Diamond Disc Phonograph horn and reproducer are proprietarily mechanically driven across the record by means of a rack and pinion type of arrangement, and can be a little intimidating to service. Fortunately the forum has a complete service manual that can be used freely for those wishing to do a tune-up, or at least familiarize themselves with the particulars of the Edison Diamond Disc mechanism. It can be found here: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=2&t=476

The topic of different acoustic record manufacturers is wide and deep, and by the mid-1910s, hundreds of manufacturers began producing their own varieties, some were excellent performers, others were relatively poor. The Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph, is still regarded by many as the epitome of design, although many fault the recorded material as lacking, when compared to some of the other manufacturers' music genres. However others may perceive the Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph, and records, there is an incredible amount of great music to be found to play on your LU 37.

There is a ton of great information here, using the search feature found at the top of the page.

As you've already noticed, your reproducers need servicing, and as has already been pointed out Wyatt Markus does a great job doing the repairs on a variety of phono-related items. Also not mentioned is Steve Medved, he is the foremost knowledgeable Edison Reproducer specialist in the hobby, and he sources the diamonds used for rebuilds industrywide - exclusively. He can be reached via email at, [email protected]. Whomever you choose, you'll be happy with their work. However, Wyatt Markus tends to perform repairs much quicker. His contact information is here: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=42795

Have fun, and don't be a stranger!

Best,
Fran

[AmberolaAndy]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the inheritance of your Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph (not Victrola - that is a type of internal horn talking machine produced by the Victor Talking Machine Co. of Camden, NJ).

Thomas A. Edison Inc. of Orange, NJ introduced the "London Upright" (LU) in August 1922, to meet the demand for an (relatively) inexpensive model to their extensive line of Disc Phonographs. The Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs were some of the most highly engineered machines of the era, and were produced in a wide variety of models from between 1912 until they stopped production forever in late 1929.

As has been pointed out, the Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs were produced to play their proprietorial Diamond Disc records specifically, and should not be used to play other "78" type records - unless using another type of reproducer specifically designed for the lateral-cut (side to side) groove of those records. Edison's Diamond Disc groove is cut using an up and down (Hill and Dale - or vertical-cut groove) - meaning that the diamond stylus of the Edison Reproducer will follow the groove in an up and down fashion, whereas the soundbox of a Victrola was designed to follow the "side to side" cut groove of a typical "78" record, which also propelled the Victrola tone arm across the record.

The Diamond Disc Phonograph horn and reproducer are proprietarily mechanically driven across the record by means of a rack and pinion type of arrangement, and can be a little intimidating to service. Fortunately the forum has a complete service manual that can be used freely for those wishing to do a tune-up, or at least familiarize themselves with the particulars of the Edison Diamond Disc mechanism. It can be found here: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=2&t=476

The topic of different acoustic record manufacturers is wide and deep, and by the mid-1910s, hundreds of manufacturers began producing their own varieties, some were excellent performers, others were relatively poor. The Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph, is still regarded by many as the epitome of design, although many fault the recorded material as lacking, when compared to some of the other manufacturers' music genres. However others may perceive the Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph, and records, there is an incredible amount of great music to be found to play on your LU 37.

There is a ton of great information here, using the search feature found at the top of the page.

As you've already noticed, your reproducers need servicing, and as has already been pointed out Wyatt Markus does a great job doing the repairs on a variety of phono-related items. Also not mentioned is Steve Medved, he is the foremost knowledgeable Edison Reproducer specialist in the hobby, and he sources the diamonds used for rebuilds industrywide - exclusively. He can be reached via email at, [email protected]. Whomever you choose, you'll be happy with their work. However, Wyatt Markus tends to perform repairs much quicker. His contact information is here: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=42795

Have fun, and don't be a stranger!

Best,
Fran

And don’t forget to PM LarryH for a True Tone diaphragm! It will boost the sound of your London Upright better than the original rice paper diaphragm!

[davidjensen]

I would try playing a proper Edison Diamond Disc with the reproducer that is on there already since it may be fine. (ignore the extra one for now as noted by others since it may not be in working order). You can not play 78s with the current set up without an adapter

[Lucius1958]

I would try playing a proper Edison Diamond Disc with the reproducer that is on there already since it may be fine. (ignore the extra one for now as noted by others since it may not be in working order). You can not play 78s with the current set up without an adapter

Better test the stylus on the dead wax first: if it leaves any marks, it should be replaced.

- Bill

[Redjeep18]

Wow... so much information to take in. I can’t thank you enough! I’m going to pick it up (5 hour drive) this weekend. I will be in touch with everyone! I will also send more pics. And probably be reaching out!

Question in the meantime.... do the diamond discs only have one song each?