Bringing Home Baby

[Lucius1958]

So: just got back from Massachusetts with my 9th talking machine, my 4th Edison, and my first floor model: a BC-34 'Baby Console', serial #4585, acquired for all of fifty bucks. (I spent the other fifty on the 40-odd discs that accompanied it).

Of course, it's going to need a little work: complete cleaning of the mechanics; repairing the grille; refinishing the case and getting the reproducer rebuilt.... but it's still a bargain.

One odd detail I noticed: the machine had the 10 / 12" key buttons associated with an LP attachment; but the motor was still single-spring, and there was no gear shift. I might surmise that they had been factory-installed, if the machine were a very late one - but the serial number seems a little low for that.... any ideas?

Bill

[gramophoneshane]

I'm guessing it's got mustard turntable felt & 3 weights on the governor? If so, it's a late model and the buttons were factory installed.

[barnettrp21122]

I also have a Baby Console, which I acquired early on, and did extensive restoration work on it. I don't play it as much as the upright C19, mainly because one has to bend down quite a bit to wind it!
My machine came to me with the 1927 long-play conversion kit installed. This kit includes the button assembly you mention.
However, the manual that came with my machine (which makes no mention of any long-playing feature) shows photos and instructions for using the buttons, so that makes me assume that either from the start, or sometime later, these buttons were perhaps included on the standard models. I hope someone can clarify this further.
I hope you got some good hot dance records with your machine!
Bob

[estott]

The buttons were to set the starting position of the reproducer for 10 or 12 inch discs. Edison was going to offer 12 inch 80 rpm discs but they never made it to market. The buttons don't have any connection to the Long playing system and were more a talking point than a useful feature.

[phonogfp]

However, the manual that came with my machine (which makes no mention of any long-playing feature) shows photos and instructions for using the buttons, so that makes me assume that either from the start, or sometime later, these buttons were perhaps included on the standard models. I hope someone can clarify this further.

I've seen BC-34s with the 10" & 12" buttons but no LP attachment. I'm certain these buttons were supplied with at least some of the standard (non-LP) machines.

George P.

[Lucius1958]

I'm guessing it's got mustard turntable felt & 3 weights on the governor? If so, it's a late model and the buttons were factory installed.

Orange felt, and two weights on the governor.

[Lucius1958]

I also have a Baby Console, which I acquired early on, and did extensive restoration work on it. I don't play it as much as the upright C19, mainly because one has to bend down quite a bit to wind it!
My machine came to me with the 1927 long-play conversion kit installed. This kit includes the button assembly you mention.
However, the manual that came with my machine (which makes no mention of any long-playing feature) shows photos and instructions for using the buttons, so that makes me assume that either from the start, or sometime later, these buttons were perhaps included on the standard models. I hope someone can clarify this further.
I hope you got some good hot dance records with your machine!
Bob

Thanks! Yes, there are a good number of fox-trots in the selection....

[gramophoneshane]

I'm guessing it's got mustard turntable felt & 3 weights on the governor? If so, it's a late model and the buttons were factory installed.

Orange felt, and two weights on the governor.

LOL, well thrown me
I've always thought the 3 governor weights were introduced before the orange felt. I assume your speed control is above the bedplate, and not hidden underneath like on the Edisonics?
As far as I can figure, the orange felt was introduced about the same time as the Edisonics in 1927.
All the LP machines I've seen still used green felt, so I suspect the colour change happened somewhere in the 1926-27 period, but I dont know whether the change occured during LP production, or if it was first used on the Edisonics & became standard issue on all models from then on.
I did however think that 3 weight governors were introduced with the LP machines & were used on all models from that time on, but this obviously isn't the case.
Whether Edison was using old 2 weight stocks on random machines, or once the LP machines failed, he then started using 3 weight governors stocks on everything, I really dont know.
What I do know is that over here, Every BC-34 I've seen has had the 10"/12" buttons too, & I've seen them on dozens of other late production models as well.
I think I recall someone suggesting that Edison started including the buttons as encouragement for people to later upgrade with a LP kit, though I'm not quite sure how that would work unless he thought everyone would be dying to use "button 12" on a lp disc
I think Eric is probably right in saying they were intended to be used with standard 12" DD's that never materialised for the second time, and had nothing to do with the LP format. They're certainly a lot more convenient than straining your eyes and aiming for the first groove

[alang]

I think Eric is probably right in saying they were intended to be used with standard 12" DD's that never materialised for the second time, and had nothing to do with the LP format. They're certainly a lot more convenient than straining your eyes and aiming for the first groove

I have a BC-34 as well, with orange felt and the 10"/12" selector. Unfortunately it does not really work for me, because at the correct starting groove position there is still about half an inch distance between the 10" selector stop and the metal arm on the horn, and there is no obvious way to adjust any of those. Is there supposed to be an additional part that I'm missing on my machine, like a rubber bumper or similar? When I got my machine there were some cork pieces inside, maybe these were parts of it or a makeshift replacement? Could sombody please post a picture of the selector arm actually stopping the horn arm in the correct position?
Thanks
Andreas

[Lucius1958]

Another piece of the puzzle: I measured the mouth of the horn, and found it to be 9 ¼" by about 13 ½": this would make it a No. 100, which, according to Frow, was only used on this model for the first two months of production...

Bill