Edison Gem A reproducers

[eighteenbelow]

Hi, all. It's my understanding that the earliest Edison Gem A's came with a fixed reproducer, which was then replaced by a special reproducer made just for the Gem, which was in turn replaced by the B reproducer. Would a C reproducer have fit on any of these? And does anyone have a sense of which reproducers corresponded to which serial number ranges? Thanks!

[JerryVan]

I am interested see what replies this gets. I don't believe I've ever seen a B reproducer on a Gem. I don't know why it wouldn't work. They may have been used without my knowing of it

[phonogfp]

An fully illustrated article on all models of the Edison Gem appeared in the June 2023 issue of the APS magazine. To quote from that article:

"There were four types of Reproducers originally supplied with the Model A Gem. The earliest was built into the carriage arm and employed a small flanged top plate. The second was similar, but featured a larger flanged top plate with the same diameter as the carriage arm. The third (which appeared in May 1900) was a stamped metal version of the Automatic, which was secured to the carriage arm with a bayonet mount. In 1902, the Model B Reproducer became standard equipment for the Model A Gem."

When the Model B Gem was introduced in October 1905, the Model C Reproducer became standard equipment for the Gem.

George P.

[eighteenbelow]

Thanks, George. Does that mean a model C reproducer wouldn't fit on a Gem A? I've never owned a model B reproducer, but I'm under the impression that it's somewhat smaller than a C.

[eighteenbelow]

Thanks, George. Does that mean a model C reproducer wouldn't fit on a Gem A? I've never owned a model B reproducer, but it's my impression they're somewhat smaller than the C.

[eighteenbelow]

Thanks, George. Does that mean a model C reproducer wouldn't fit on a Gem A? I've never owned a model B reproducer, but it's my impression they're somewhat smaller than the C.

[JerryVan]

Thanks, George. Does that mean a model C reproducer wouldn't fit on a Gem A? I've never owned a model B reproducer, but it's my impression they're somewhat smaller than the C.

I'm pretty sure the C will fit in place of the B, since my Model A's are currently fitted with C's, due to my ignorance.
(I should have known better too, since I read the excellent article on Gems in the APS magazine.)

[phonogfp]

Jerry's right - a Model C Reproducer can be used on any Model A that was originally equipped with a Model B Reproducer. However, it cannot be used with the first few iterations of the Gem. There are 31 variations known in the Model A Gem!

George P.

[phonojim]

I just restored the reproducer on my drip pan Gem. It has the earliest style reproducer in which the cast iron carriage is machined to hold the diaphragm and gaskets. The top plate and horn tube assembly is the same as that used in an automatic reproducer except that has two holes for screws to hold it to the top of the carriage arm. The weight and stylus bar are the same as used on the Automatic. The diaphragm and gaskets are the same as used in the Automatic, B, C etc. reproducers. I bought this machine last November at the last Stanton auction. I haven't had time to do much with it, but it is now running and playing.

[Jerry B.]

George Paul...

There are 31 variations known in the Model A Gem!

Always use caution when taking on a Model A Gem project if it's anything other than the common version with the green finished lid with banner decal. The 31 variations can take a restoration very difficult.

Jerry B.