Edison Bell Electron Portable Gramophone EB361

[phyi9530]

Hi all, I am writing to try my luck if anyone has any information related to this Edison Bell Electron portable gramophone EB361.

I tried to search online but there is very limited information (and even photos). One available information can be found here (https://www.flickr.com/photos/billsmoor ... otostream/) which, while seems identical with mine, differs as in it has an autobrake (or some other mechanism?) installed near to the tone arm (which is not present in my model). This gramophone comes with a 12inch turntable, sound box with an aluminum diaphragm (without any identification as to its model), and an Edison Bell single spring motor model 42. Its internal horn appears to be longer than visible from the outside and folded (slightly). Its front flap will open automatically when the lid is opened (as mentioned by the Flickr website) and it also has a small needle container with spring-loaded cap attached to its lid. Unfortunately, its record album has gone missing - can only imagine that the album may look somehow similar to the HMV101? The lid can be closed while playing.

Based on the aluminum diaphragm sound box and swan tone arm, and my experience that it does play better electrically recorded records, I would echo the writer of Flickr website that this gramophone should come from the late 1920s. However, it including the plating of the tone arm and speed regulator has been kept in a fairly good shape, which leads me to sometimes doubt if the gramophone is that old.

I think I have also read in another thread in this forum that Edison Bell motor spring is stronger (or even thicker?) than the HMV, or I may have been so told by someone. I have not dismantled the motor model 42 of this gramophone so I would not be able to testify if this is true. I have tried winding it up to 50 turns (and at 50 winds it is not maximum tight suggesting it may even go for further winds) and with 50 winds it plays a complete 12 inch record.

I have appended here a number of photos for everyone's reference.

The contemporary records on gramophone has in my observation quite been 'obsessed' with HMV. And Edison Bell gramophone (particularly this one) is in my humble view not common (I would refrain to use 'rare' at this juncture). Hence, if anyone has any further details/story to share with respect to Edison Bell or this model EB361 or any part thereof, I would be delighted to learn.

Thank you.

[epigramophone]

Your pictures have not uploaded. Please try again as they will be of interest.

Although I have several period EB advertisements I cannot find one depicting the EB361, but I attach a picture of my EB345G which I sold some years ago. It also had a detachable 12 inch album inside the lid, which when removed allowed the lid to close for playing. It was a De Luxe model with a double spring motor and gold plated fittings.

The albums were often filed with the owner's record collection, and over time became permanently separated from the machines.
Sourcing a replacement album today is likely to prove difficult but hopefully not impossible.

Like HMV, EB made their own motors, and it was probably me who posted the comment about the thickness of the springs. When I took the motor to my then repair man for servicing, he showed me the scars on his hands and asked me never to bring him another.

.

[Steve]

Just remembered I have an EB345 which does indeed enable the lid to be closed whilst playing a record. Along with the Roberts Bestone and the Cliftophone models, these three are unusual amongst portables as they do not seem to have followed the major trends of the day or accepted method of designing portables.

[poodling around]

Your pictures have not uploaded. Please try again as they will be of interest.

Although I have several period EB advertisements I cannot find one depicting the EB361, but I attach a picture of my EB345G which I sold some years ago. It also had a detachable 12 inch album inside the lid, which when removed allowed the lid to close for playing. It was a De Luxe model with a double spring motor and gold plated fittings.

The albums were often filed with the owner's record collection, and over time became permanently separated from the machines.
Sourcing a replacement album today is likely to prove difficult but hopefully not impossible.

Like HMV, EB made their own motors, and it was probably me who posted the comment about the thickness of the springs. When I took the motor to my then repair man for servicing, he showed me the scars on his hands and asked me never to bring him another.

.

Oh, there seems to be a model EB361 on youtube. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOUX2GJLiXU

[poodling around]

Oh, there are some photo's of an EB361 here too:

[urlhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/billsmoorfoot/677 ... otostream/][/url]

[CharliePhono]

I have to say that I really dig that serpentine tonearm!

[Curt A]

That's a great looking portable...

[phyi9530]

Hi all, sorry I didn't realise that the photos were not uploaded. Here you go.

Ahh, yes, I actually uploaded that Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOUX2GJLiXU. It's the same machine.

And also yes, EB361 does look like EB345, although they are different especially in motor, tone arm and sound box. The sound box on EB345 looks more superior. Not sure if the horn is similar. EB361's tone arm appears to be the more usual swan neck one arm, not sure if it is of a later model than EB345.

One observation which I may add is that this EB361 is more sturdy and of better quality as compared to my Decca 44. Hope I am not overstating it if I say that EB361's build can actually match my HMV101 (but the sound is not as not as the HMV No. 4).

[epigramophone]

Your EB361 has the later tonearm made of brass or steel tubing. The earlier tonearm of the EB345 is diecast pot metal which degrades over time. A particular weak point is where it joins the horn beneath the motor board.

Edison Bell was acquired by Decca in 1933. All EB recording ceased, but some titles were released until about 1935. I have not been able to discover whether EB machines continued to be produced after 1933, but your EB361 is certainly a late example.

[Steve]

I can only speak for the EB345 but it is a fantastic playing machine and simply exudes quality. The earlier soundboxes are indeed much better and I wonder if the 345 was the flagship model, given that this model was available as gold plated option identical to the example Roger sold shown above?