Edison c250 question

[Confettihead]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to phonographs, I'm considering buying and restoring my third. I've located a good deal on a C250 and I know this uses a diamond stylus as opposed to the steel or fiber tips my current machines use. Does this mean that i cannot play my other 78s on them that are played on my other machines? When I go to look at this new machine is there anything in particular with a c250 that I need to look for that are common difficult to solve problems?

[rizbone]

This machine is designed to play Edison diamond disk records and will not play regular 78rpm records unless you use an adaptor. I don't generally collect these, but they are good machines and parts are relatively easy to find. You should listen to a diamond disk first as the needle is not replaced with every play, so unlike a victrola, needle condition is important.

[FloridaClay]

You can find adopters to play 78s on Edison Diamond Disks on eBay from time to time. I have one, but it is mostly to show visitors interested in my machines. The main thing for me as a collector was to have a couple of Diamond Disk machines and some Diamond Disk records to learn about and come to appreciate Edison's quite different approach to disk phonographs and records.

It is a different world--semi-permanent diamond needles instead of change after each play steel needles, slightly faster speed (80 rpm), vertical "hill and dale" rather than lateral recording, and motor driven tracking instead of the needle just following the groove. I have found DD machines very interesting and enjoyable. Hope you will as well.

Clay

[VintageTechnologies]

Hi,
When I go to look at this new machine is there anything in particular with a c250 that I need to look for that are common difficult to solve problems?

Buying a machine whose cabinet and enameled paint is in good cosmetic condition is a major factor, unless you happen to like restoration projects. Most parts (original and replica) are readily available for Edison disk phonographs. However, one of the more costly mistakes would be buying one whose diamond needle is broken or worn out. Good replicas are no longer available [see other threads in this forum on that topic] and you would be faced with finding a good original stylus or perhaps it would be easier buying a whole reproducer. I personally evaluate diamond and sapphire needles with a 100x stereo microscope, but I realize most people don't have those. (A good jeweler might have one in 30-40 power]. A good diamond set in the shank looks like a tapered cone with a perfect rounded tip; it should not have a flat spot on the tip. A good diamond should last you a lifetime.

[Confettihead]

Great sounding advice folks. Thanks so much! I'll be able to inspect it Sunday. It looks to be in very good condition other than the grill cloth. He says it is operational. After giving the Brunswick the Gojo/Briwax treatment I am not scared of restoration...I found it to be very satisfying. At a price of $100 I don't see myself passing it up if it is in the condition he claims.

[VintageTechnologies]

At a price of $100 I don't see myself passing it up if it is in the condition he claims.

You can't go wrong at that price, even if you do have to buy another reproducer.

[Confettihead]

What would you say a good price for it would be once it has been restored. It is mahogany. (This is assuming the veneer is in good condition etc) I know prices can be all over the place but what is the thin line between a steal and a rip off? I do intend to resell this one.(Of course I've said that with the other two as well as the jukeboxes. Once they sing to me I kinda get attached.)

[VintageTechnologies]

The sell price? The toughest question of all. I think that depends on the region and the context in which it is sold. An upscale antique store or mall in California would sell it for twice as much as someone selling it from his garage in the Northeast. I have seen two pristine oak machines sell in Texas at antique shows for $600 and thought they were a steal. Too bad I didn't have room to take one home, but I do have a mahogany model that I acquired years ago in a swap.

[FloridaClay]

I'm thinking here is central Florida $500 or so would likely get you a nice example if one became availabe on Craig's List or a phonograph show or swap meet kind of thing. Of course retail at a high-end dealer could be several times that.

Clay

[Jerry B.]

I had a very nice oak C-250 at Union that sold late in the sale on Sunday and it only brought $275. I was a motivated seller that did not want to take it home. Jerry