My Edison B80 tabletop disc phonograph

[pughphonos]

Mindy, your work on the B80 cabinet is first rate. Your WD40 motor tune up took the real risk out of removing and reinstalling the spring which I hope I never have to do again for my A250. I hope to wrangle an invite so I can bring my rebuilt reproducers down to Homewood for a comparison. The figure 6 and the true tone are far superior to an original Edison diaphragm, but which is better? We have a lot of catching up to do.

Hi John -- Getting a visit from you would be a delight and I'll be in touch this weekend to get it scheduled. A good old-fashioned record playing session (with diaphragm comparisons) can't be beat--along with catching up in person for sure.

I lucked out with the WD-40 method. Replacing an Edison spring deserves some sort of Order of Merit and I'll always admire that in you.

Mindy

[edisonplayer]

I do remember seeing a B80 Diamond Disc machine at an antique show years ago.It was the only one that I've seen in person.edisonplayer.

[fran604g]

Fantastic "rescue" Mindy, congratulations for a job well done! Nice to "see" you here, again. Admittedly I've been virtually inactive for quite some time myself. The last couple of years I've plunged myself into phonograph-unrelated historical research and our many gardens here have kept me busier than a cowboy in a whorehouse!

Best regards my friend,
Fran

Hey Fran -- my friend as well!

"Phonograph-unrelated historical reseach" -- I can only guess: genealogy? That's my other big hobby. But if you're researching on the academic path, let us all know. I also do that, but on the university dime--and I'm not published nearly enough as I should be.

You're a wonderful addition to any interest you pursue. Thanks for touching base!

Mindy

Hey Mindy, sorry for the lengthy delay and thank you very much for the kind words. Genealogy and localized historical research has made uncounted hours the last four years literally evaporate. I'll admit despite my great enthusiasm for my pursuits, I'm not much more than an amateur sleuth. I've concentrated pretty heavily on the pioneer families which populated our tiny hamlet of Hemlock [Lake], here in the township of Livonia, NY between the 1790s through the late 19th century. A small group of actual local historians and I have decided to dedicate our time creating a unique historical society which incorporates an area focused on 4 nearby Finger Lakes' watershed communities. We're still in the infancy but have a location for us to meet that's been provided by the community center https://littlelakesny.org/ which occupies our old Hemlock High School - right next door to my home. I don't know what I'm doing, but they do!

Not to pirate your thread, by any means, but the real gem in our group is a man who's spent more than a decade constructing and financing his own website to preserve a wealth of local history: https://www.hemlockandcanadicelakes.com/. Fascinating stuff, to be sure.

I blame George Paul for encouraging my interest in antique phonographs a mere 10 years ago - and for the spark which ignited in me a dormant fiery passion for all things historical.

Your B80 looks fantastic! Bravo for a job well done. I'll bet you'll have hours of enjoyment playing your Diamond Discs on it and I'm sure the folks around you will be fascinated. Maybe you'll have a few "converts" in the end? I hope so.

Cheers my friend,
Fran

[phonogfp]

I blame George Paul for encouraging my interest in antique phonographs a mere 10 years ago - and for the spark which ignited in me a dormant fiery passion for all things historical.

Oh SURE... Blame me for it all...!

George P.

[Curt A]

Nice work, Mindy - it's beautiful.

[Curt A]

[/quote]

Oh SURE... Blame me for it all...!

George P.
[/quote]

Maybe not ALL... but you stoked the fire...

[pughphonos]

Hi All --

So grateful that this forum lives on; so many good and knowledgeable folks.

Not having tons of money nor living space, I've always tried to keep my antique phono collection down to six or so. I've bought another, which has triggered thoughts on which one to let go.

First, the purchase, which once it arrives I will profile here (plus the necessary restoration work) in a new string. It's a Edison Home model A (final version) cylinder player from Ebay. It looks pretty intact. I'm hoping that the skills I learned in bringing the B80 back to life will also make for a happy ending with this Home model A. Even though I have a fully-restored and wonderful Triumph model D I've always been intrigued by the more modest Homes. The Triumph weighs 50 lbs. and basically is homebound. The Home model A, on the other hand, weighs (according to Frow) 28 lbs., which makes it much more transportable. I want to bring it into the classroom. I brought the B80 into the classroom a few weeks ago where it did not excite very much interest. I'm betting an external horn cylinder phono with the Edison banner decal will more likely gain the interest of the college students (I'll buy a beautiful morning glory horn for it).

Anyway, back to the B80. A few days ago (before the Home model A purchase) I bought via Ebay a ca. 1913-14 early nickel-played Edison DD reproducer (the type with the additional plate--affixed to the main weight by four screws). That's the reproducer that came with the B80s and I wanted to have that detail correct also. I'm awaiting for its arrival; once it does I will install in it one of Mike's (Phonoboy's) diaphragms . Quick aside: I've come to really appreciate Mike's diaphragms and have purchased four of them (including two yet to arrive). The trick when installing is to make sure you affix both strands of the looped string over the needlebar hook, not just one; and also don't tighten the retaining ring too hard on the diaphragm--let it vibrate! It has a nice tonal range to it: loud, but also mellow. Like Larry Hollenberg's True Tones (is Larry still making those?).

Anyway, once I have the new DD reproducer (the four screw one) and have placed one of Mike's diaphragms in it I am READY TO SELL MY B80. I'll start by listing it on the Yankee Trader section here with photo updates. If I get no TMF takers I will move it to Ebay at an increased price. Would much prefer to sell it "in the family" here though.

Mindy