Amberola I lid catch/stay

[coyote]

I thought I'd appeal to the board as parts as lowly as this aren't referenced in books!

I wondered if the lid support/stay for the early Amberola I-A differed at all from the ones used on the DD machines. I suspect mine is cobbled together, as it has a knurled screw and nut attaching the rod to the lid bracket, whereas the DDs use a rivet. I don't think the lid opens wide enough with the current stay, and it does not "auto-release" when the lid is raised when open; the rod must be pulled forward to allow the catch to release. Thanks to anyone who will go look at their Amberola or who might know this bit of trivia!

[Amberola 1-A]

The stay to the bracket on my 1-A has a rivet, mine also doesn't auto-release and I don't think it was supposed to.

Bill

[phonogfp]

Bill's right. Riveted, and no auto-release. I've always thought these latches didn't support the lids quite wide enough. Sounds like you have the proper lid support.

George P.

[Andersun]

I have had two A1s. Serial 287 and 2448. They both had rivets and the lid support had to be pulled forward to close the lid.

[coyote]

Thanks, everyone. Apparently at some point the rivet came loose and was "repaired" by using a knurled screw and nut, so I wasn't sure whether the stay arm was original or replaced as well. I'm surprised at the relatively shallow angle of the lid compared to a DD upright machine. Interesting to see that the simple lid stay was improved upon later with the auto-release and hinged bracket on the lid.

As an aside, it is interesting that the notch in the cabinet to ease cylinder placement/removal isn't too helpful; it's still a bit awkward to put a record on the mandrel. Apparently Victor and other disc manufacturers weren't the only ones who had growing pains regarding the depth of the mechanism in the cabinet!

[phonogfp]

Here's a photo just for reference.

George P.

[coyote]

Thank you kindly for the photo, George!

[phonogfp]

You're very welcome!