Stupid Question

[MisterGramophone]

Yeah, it’s not quite a thing, but it’s better than naming the model and reproducer, but, is it a good idea to play a blue/royal purple Amberol on one of these things or vice versa, or should I just use separate machines?

Forgive me, but apparently I don't understand the question.

George P.

Like, can I play a blue or royal purple Amberol on a machine or reproducer for wax Amberols?

[AmberolaAndy]

Ok, good to know
Should I play them on separate machines or both on a wax Amberol machine?

There is really no such thing as a "wax Amberol machine." It's all in the reproducer and the gearing. This is all shown in the article whose link I provided above, if you care to read it.

George P.

Technically, the Model E Machines (excluding the Triumph E due to playing both lengths of records) could be considered to be the "wax amberol machine" being an early 4 minute only machine pre-blue amberols.

[MisterGramophone]

Ok, good to know
Should I play them on separate machines or both on a wax Amberol machine?

There is really no such thing as a "wax Amberol machine." It's all in the reproducer and the gearing. This is all shown in the article whose link I provided above, if you care to read it.

George P.

Technically, the Model E Machines (excluding the Triumph E due to playing both lengths of records) could be considered to be the "wax amberol machine" being an early 4 minute only machine pre-blue amberols.

Ok, can I play a blue Amberol on the non-Triumoh model E machines? Also, can I play a wax amberol on an Amberola 50?

[drh]

The short answers:

No, you can't play any wax cylinder on an Amberola 30, 50, or 75. You can play only 4-minute celluloid cylinders on those machines.

Yes, you can play blue or purple amberol cylinders on any machine with 4-minute gearing and a 4-minute reproducer.

If the machine has the appropriate gear shift, you can play both 2-minute and 4-minute cylinders on a single machine, but you must have the right reproducers and make sure to select the appropriate gearing for the type you are trying to play. Do not play 2-minute cylinders with a 4-minute reproducer (will damage the cylinder). Do not play 4-minute cylinders with a 2-minute reproducer (may harm the stylus and will not give good sound). Some reproducers, like the model O, can select between the two types; with one of those, you need only the single reproducer, but you must make sure to select the correct stylus for the type of cylinder you are playing.

If your machine has only 2-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 4-minute gearing to play 4-minute cylinders. If your machine has only 4-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 2-minute gearing to play 2-minute cylinders.

[MisterGramophone]

The short answers:

No, you can't play any wax cylinder on an Amberola 30, 50, or 75. You can play only 4-minute celluloid cylinders on those machines.

Yes, you can play blue or purple amberol cylinders on any machine with 4-minute gearing and a 4-minute reproducer.

If the machine has the appropriate gear shift, you can play both 2-minute and 4-minute cylinders on a single machine, but you must have the right reproducers and make sure to select the appropriate gearing for the type you are trying to play. Do not play 2-minute cylinders with a 4-minute reproducer (will damage the cylinder). Do not play 4-minute cylinders with a 2-minute reproducer (may harm the stylus and will not give good sound). Some reproducers, like the model O, can select between the two types; with one of those, you need only the single reproducer, but you must make sure to select the correct stylus for the type of cylinder you are playing.

If your machine has only 2-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 4-minute gearing to play 4-minute cylinders. If your machine has only 4-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 2-minute gearing to play 2-minute cylinders.

So, on what should I play wax amberols?

[Damfino59]

So, on what should I play wax amberols?
[/quote]

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/16

If you have a Edison cylinder phonograph with the 2/4 minute gear change and the proper reproducer, you will be able to play the 4-minute wax Amberols.

If you actually READ the article I’ve reposted for you, you may get the general idea. Plus there have been some very thoughtful & detailed answers provided by some very knowledgeable collectors in this thread.

If not I’ll just sit back with my popcorn and drink and watch this rerun unfold.

[JerryVan]

Who's on first...


Forget about what "machine" you can play what on.

Wax Amberols can only be played with the following reproducers; H, K, O, N, S, L
Wax Amberols can NOT be played with the; Diamond A, B or C reproducers

In other words, nothing with this type of stylus...

Screenshot 2025-06-26 083638.png (59.24 KiB) Viewed 699 times

Blue/Purple Amberols can be played with all of the above.

[MisterGramophone]

Who's on first...


Forget about what "machine" you can play what on.

Wax Amberols can only be played with the following reproducers; H, K, O, N, S, L
Wax Amberols can NOT be played with the; Diamond A, B or C reproducers

In other words, nothing with this type of stylus...
Screenshot 2025-06-26 083638.png



Blue/Purple Amberols can be played with all of the above.

So, I can play a Blue/Royal Purple Amberol on anything that can play Wax Amberols but not vice versa? Also, can wax amberols be placed with a Model M reproducer?

[JerryVan]

I give up............

[CarlosV]

I give up............

Jerry, congratulations for showing a degree of patience of biblical proportions. Maybe the quote "OK, I quite trolling" in the author's avatar is a caution.