Columbia BKT vs Edison Fireside

[VanEpsFan1914]

How common is a Columbia BKT Graphophone--and should I replace a Fireside combination A with it?

I like the look of the machines & I love the sound from the Lyric Reproducers. Come to mind that maybe I could trade the Edison Fireside & pick up a BKT or something, but wasn't sure whether that is a good idea. I know that most Columbias don't play 4-minute cylinders but these are the questions that come on those mornings where you wake up at 3:00 AM.

Anybody got ideas?

Charles

[Curt A]

A BKT (backmount BK) is not easy, or cheap to find... They are considerably more expensive than a Fireside, especially with a 2/4 minute attachment (yes, they can play 4 minute cylinders with the 2/4 attachment and correct Lyric reproducer). Finding one equipped like that will be the challenge...

[gramophoneshane]

It's my belief that Lyric reproduces wear wax cylinders so I'd only play celluloid with one, but that's just me.

[MikeB]

I can't speak for the Columbia, but in my opinion, the Fireside Model A was one of the best cylinder machines ever made by any company and I wouldn't trade mine for anything. It seems like Edison had worked out all the problems by the time that the Fireside A was introduced. Plus they are small but sturdy 2/4 machines with combination reproducers, nifty horn offerings like the red Fireside horn or the cygnet, and all of mine have played flawlessly when properly adjusted.

[Jerry B.]

If this is your "go to" player for cylinders, I'd stick with the Fireside. In terms a machine's overall interest in a collection the choice for me would be the BKT. You don't mention the horn used with the Fireside but that would also be a consideration.

Jerry B.

[dzavracky]

Charles has a cygnet horn for his Fireside.

David

[Pete Stratford]

I just sold my BKT and regret doing so. It was a great looking machine and played incredible loud and clear. Almost as loud as my cygnet horn Triumph with O reproducer.
It was only a 2-Minute machine. I only played the Columbia Indestructible cylinders on it as I felt the spring loaded reproducer would cause wear to wax cylinders.
I had a fellow over to see my collection. He was admiring the BKT and I told him it was not for sale. He asked me how much I would have to get for it before I might
consider parting with it. I through out the figure $1200 just to discourage him. He opened his wallet and called my bluff by slapping down 12 $100 dollar bills.

Pete

[Curt A]

I love the looks of the back mount Columbia machines... I have a BKT and a BFT, both are 2/4 minute machines, but for an every day player I use my Fireside with a cygnet horn and K reproducer...

[VanEpsFan1914]

The Lyric reproducers sound great with 2-minute wax, if you find ones with a doorknob stylus. Sometimes they turn up with a conical stylus which was the 2-4 one, or at least that's what the folks told me. The last Graphophone like that I had was a BK and it had a 2-minute doorknob in it, which would play anything as well as an Edison or maybe better. I wouldn't want to play wax anything with the pointed 4-minute styluses.

I have an Amberola 30 that works great and am still piecing together a Home B with 2-4 conversion & the 24" black & brass Standard Metal Co. horn by John Duffy. Still needs parts that I've been too swamped to acquire. I'd consider drilling the case of the Home & swapping in the cygnet, considering it is a complete refinish/rebuild from a basket case machine, but drilling a good case is frowned upon -- for good reason.

And yes the Fireside is equipped with a cygnet horn, and that boosts the fidelity quite a bit!

@MikeB I do agree the Fireside is a good phonograph. It's like a simplified Standard that is miniaturized enough to fit anywhere but still capable of getting the job done. The only thing I would possibly consider is upgrading the reproducer from a K to something with a bit more diaphragm.

But at $1200 realized price for yours @Pete Stratford, I think I'm going to be hanging onto the Fireside if that is what BKT's are going for now!

[VanEpsFan1914]

The Lyric reproducers sound great with 2-minute wax, if you find ones with a doorknob stylus. Sometimes they turn up with a conical stylus which was the 2-4 one, or at least that's what the folks told me. The last Graphophone like that I had was a BK and it had a 2-minute doorknob in it, which would play anything as well as an Edison or maybe better. I wouldn't want to play wax anything with the pointed 4-minute styluses.

I have an Amberola 30 that works great and am still piecing together a Home B with 2-4 conversion & the 24" black & brass Standard Metal Co. horn by John Duffy. Still needs parts that I've been too swamped to acquire. I'd consider drilling the case of the Home & swapping in the cygnet, considering it is a complete refinish/rebuild from a basket case machine, but drilling a good case is frowned upon -- for good reason.

And yes the Fireside is equipped with a cygnet horn, and that boosts the fidelity quite a bit!

@MikeB I do agree the Fireside is a good phonograph. It's like a simplified Standard that is miniaturized enough to fit anywhere but still capable of getting the job done. The only thing I would possibly consider is upgrading the reproducer from a K to something with a bit more diaphragm.

But at $1200 realized price for yours @Pete Stratford, I think I'm going to be hanging onto the Fireside if that is what BKT's are going for now!