First Cylinder Phonograph

[LtFrenchFries]

Let me start by saying thanks to everyone on here who helped me with my first ever phonograph that I posted on here awhile ago! Today I came across this Edison and decided to pick it up, since I’ve wanted a cylinder player ever since I considered this hobby. I’ll try to keep all my questions in this thread so I don’t clutter up the forum like last time lol. Anyways, I learned quite a bit from working on my Victor, but I’m back at square one with this thing and know almost nothing. Obviously it’s missing the horn, but any information or sources you have to learn about this thing, I’d love to hear it all! The only other obvious problem I can see is there appears to be a place for screws or bolts on a plate on the back of the reproducer. And speaking of the reproducer, I don’t see a place for the needle? Thanks!

[VanEpsFan1914]

You have an Edison Home Phonograph, Model A, in green oak with banner case decal. It appears to be configured for 2-minute records only. The reproducer should be marked Model C on the tailweight, and there is no "place for a needle" because the Edison cylinder phonograph does not use a needle. It uses a sapphire "doorknob" stylus on that tiny bar underneath the reproducer--not on the long end where the hole in the weight (flappy bit) is, but on the short end. It's very small and is quite likely still functional. You will want to change the reproducer gaskets so your phonograph doesn't sound like a 19th-century mistake.

Regarding the age, someone will soon chime in with an accurate date. Someone on here has the data for the Edison Home. All I can say is it's quite old, from 1900 to 1905, but that's not nearly precise enough.

The "place for screws & bolts on the back of the reproducer" --good noticing! That is for weights. I Dom

There are holes in the back of the carriage arm. This is for a "shaver" to shave the outside of a wax cylinder. Then the reproducer would be swapped out with an Edison Recorder, a blank record put in place, and a recording horn connected. That sets the phonograph up as a recording machine. You play brown wax cylinders with a Model B reproducer, but black wax & celluloid "Indestructible" with the Model C.

I rehabbed one of these once: You will need some spare parts.

PARTS LIST:
2 Model C gaskets
Rubber isolators for motor to bedplate
Rubber isolators for top works to bedplate
Your favorite cleaners, oils, etc.

By the way, the machine is great, I wouldn't get too carried away cleaning it. The black paint on the data plate is in beautiful condition; it'd be a shame for it to get polished away. (Edisons have very thin paint here.)

You're off to a great start for a truly Edwardian collection--first a Victor E, then this! I like it!

[JerryVan]

That's a very nice machine! Aside from some cleaning and lubrication, it looks like it's ready to play, or at least to test out. Don't be concerned with the holes in the reproducer tail weight. As Charles suggests, they may have been for additional weights, but I've never seen anything attached to them, ever. Got any records?

[Curt A]

Just an additional FYI - as mentioned before, this machine plays ONLY 2 minute brown or black wax Edison or Columbia cylinders (or other brands of 2 min wax cylinders) and black celluloid "Indestructible" cylinders with an Edison C reproducer.

It won't play Edison Blue Amberol celluloid cylinders, which are 4 minute cylinders. There are 4 minute black Indestructible cylinders, as well, and they are marked 4 min on the title end... 2 min cylinders are not marked 2 min, because they came out before machines were capable of playing anything but 2 minute cylinders. So, if you find a black cylinder with only a title on the end and no 4 min markings, it is a 2 minute cylinder...

The Indestructible 2 minute cylinders are black celluloid (a type of plastic) and can be distinguished by a metal ring inside the edge of the cylinder. Those are my personal favorites, because they don't break easily like the wax cylinders and are not subject to mold damage like wax ones... So, if you are looking for cylinders to play regularly, look for the Indestructibles - they are a little harder to find and usually more expensive, because of desirability, but well worth it.

Also, with the wax cylinders, temperature is an issue. If the mandrel is cold when you put one on, it can break from the temperature change - so make sure the mandrel and cylinder are at room temperature before putting one on your machine. Don't leave wax cylinders on your machine after playing them, either, because they can break just for the heck of it. Also, beware of Edison 4 minute black wax cylinders in green boxes - 4 min is marked on the end by the title - these will not work on your machine and they are extremely brittle - they can be mistaken for 2 minute black wax cylinders if you are unfamiliar with them...