Edison Home B

[phonogfp]

Yes, You're right. I went and did the research on this one. I am surprised. This question has come up before about when the Model B's production first started. I checked Frow, and the Edison original EPM's, and Frow says that the Model B was introduced in October 1905, and The Edison EPM does not mention it that I could find until Edison EPM issue December 1905, Page 4.

Again, I am surprised.

That means that the Home Model "A" Long Case that was introduced in 1901 ran until October 1905. For the Early machines, That is quite a long run - 5 years for the same machine. So where are they all?? - The Model "A"'s I mean... Why are we always flooded with Model B's ??? lol...????!?!?!??????? What happened to all of those Model "A" Long case machines if they were produced for so long?

That also means that my two model "B" machines are definitely 1905 early models since they both have the Gold/Black Banner decals. I think Frow mentions that the "Edison" script decals did not start until 1906.

Correct?

Thanks,

Tony K.

If you supply me with your serial numbers, I can look up when they left the factory.

George P.

[debndunk]

Ok guys it's time for me to come clean, boy do I feel stupid.It was the belt,I made a very slightly longer one and now it works great.How much egg can one man wear on his face.many thanks to all of you who tried to tell me, well you were right

[phonogfp]

No need for embarrassment - we've all been there! You're a wiser man than you were before, and education is a valuable commodity. Congratulations!

George P.

[martinola]

Hi.
For no real good reason, (except maybe self-education), I've been keeping notes on Edison Homes. Out of the slightly less than 400 examples I've got, I'm able to put the transition from "Banner" decals to "Edison" decals at above serial number 212745 or so. (There's a hole in my data from there to about 216145, so the threshold could move up.) There are recorded examples here and there with higher numbers which might (or not) be in "as shipped" condition. However at this moment, 212000-ish is the threshold I feel is mostly accurate. (Ask me again in a couple of years and maybe I'll have a better answer.)
Regards,
Martin

[FellowCollector]

I'm pleased to hear that you are all set now, Gordon. As I'd mentioned in my original reply I had an Edison Standard years ago that exhibited the same symptoms as your Home and it confounded me for a long time. After I made a new belt of the correct tension - voila! For me to this day, the most difficult of cylinder phonograph problems to figure out is the annoying flutter during playback of cylinders. The flutter problem seems to be more prominent with Columbia cylinder Graphophones than Edison cylinder phonographs. Whenever I hear a cylinder phonograph playing with a flutter I think "Ohhhh boy, there's another one that's going to be a challenge to figure out.". Sometimes I can figure it out and sometimes it confounds me. In any case, it was great to hear that your Home is playing nicely for you! - Doug

[VintageTechnologies]

Doug, I think flutter could be caused by several factors, either separately or together. 1) Lack of adequate mass in the mandrel to provide a flywheel effect. Some of the Edison models such as the Opera corrected that deficiency with an actual flywheel. 2) Belt slippage. I have noticed sustained notes on loud records to be the most affected. Loud records produce more drag to affect a borderline-slipping belt than quiet ones. Try tensioning the idler spring more or using a belt whose underside has better grab. I have wanted to try an automotive belt slipping spray one of these days. 3) Unbalanced governor due to bent springs, uneven weights, or bent shaft pins. I'm sure those remedies have been discussed on other threads. 4) Gear wear or wobble. I have a Standard with a steel gear upstream from the governor that has a slight side-to-side wobble - as it runs, I hear a slight "zing-zing-zing" several times per second.

[debndunk]

Hi Doug,I too have a Graphophone BE Leader with the same problem as your machine. I have'nt bothered to explore why it does this yet,but I will have to one day.I must say I do get pretty upset when I strip,clean,examine,and reassemble a machine only to find an anoying problem. Gordon

[FellowCollector]

Thank you VintageTechnologies for your suggestions on the flutter issue that I'm sure most of us have (or will) encounter with cylinder phonographs. On my cylinder phonographs that have had this flutter issue on playback I have usually found the problem and fixed it. But there are still a couple of them in my collection, one is a Columbia BF that is in beautiful original condition that still confounds me almost 20 years later with its flutter. Everything looks perfect. The motor and top works run whisper quiet and the gears look like new and governor steady as a rock while running. Belt is tensioned perfectly with no 'hump' where the leather glue connection is. I have pretty much given up on it as ever being able to play to my satisfaction (without the flutter). It's a shame too as this one is as near mint of an example as you could ever find. I purchased it from the original family who had it covered up with a blanket for decades. I refuse to take it apart and put it back together so it sits as a display piece in my collection as the flutter just annoys me.

I hear you Gordon. The beefier model Columbia cylinder Graphophones like the BE and BF with all those gears in the motor drivetrain in motion are sweet to see running - but what a pain in the neck if you have flutter. Rarely have I found flutter in an Edison and not been able to eventually say "Ah-HA! There it is." And fix it quickly. Columbias with flutter? Ohhhh boy. Could be tough sleddin' on this one.

[NEFaurora]

George P. ,

Maybe you can help me correctly date these..?

Home Phonograph
Ser.# H151647 - Model B - (1905 Early?)
Ser.# H157598 - Model B - (Mid-Late 1905?)

Standard Phonograph
Ser.# 440973 - Model B - (1906-1907?)
Ser.# 682633D - Model D - (1908-1909?)

Edison Business Phonograph
Ser.# 14734 D - Model D - (1906-1907?)


Do you have Manufacture dates for Amberolas and Diamond Disc Machines?

Thanks George!

Tony K.

[phonogfp]

George P. ,

Maybe you can help me correctly date these..?

I can help determine when an Edison Phonograph was sold by National Phono. Co. before June 1908. I have no manufacturing data.

Home Phonograph
Ser.# H151647 - Model B - (1905 Early?) Sold (left factory) October 1905
Ser.# H157598 - Model B - (Mid-Late 1905?) Sold (left factory) November 1905

Standard Phonograph
Ser.# 440973 - Model B - (1906-1907?) Sold (left factory) April 1907
Ser.# 682633D - Model D - (1908-1909?) The Model D was introduced after May 1908.

Edison Business Phonograph
Ser.# 14734 D - Model D - (1906-1907?) Sold (left factory) much later. In May 1908 No.4800 had not quite been reached.


Do you have Manufacture dates for Amberolas and Diamond Disc Machines? I have no manufacture dates for any Edison machines. I have sales data, and they are not the same. Unfortunately the sales data I have stops after May 1908 so that's no help for Amberolas or Disc Phonographs.

Thanks George!

Tony K.

You're welcome!

George P.