Amberola1-B Project

[Jerry B.]

Here are some "as found" photos of my Amberola 1-B that I recently purchased on Portland Craigslist. It's definitely a project but a worthy one. It's interesting in the fact that the veneer is tight but some parts of the cabinet structure need to be glued and clamped. It might be some before I post some "after" photos because there are some phono projects ahead of the 1-B. Jerry Blais

[ImperialGuardsman]

I think that grill cloth is the worst looking part of that machine!

I hope you can get her back up to snuff!

[EdiBrunsVic]

Yes, it looks like quite a project. Best wishes and much success with it!

[mattrx]

Thanks for posting pictures, I will be waiting for more!

[Mr Grumpy]

What a great find! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on this one Jerry so please keep us updated.

[Uncle Vanya]

You know, thirty years ago most collectors would have said that you have the makings of a nice Opera machine there.

{Shudders}

[dutchman]

Nice project Jerry. I have a B-1 or 1B (can't read my own scribbling) cabinet sitting in a dry shed which was given to me years ago. The motor was stolen but everything else appears present - horn, connector, inside stuff, drip pan. The machine was in a dry barn owned by a radio collector friend who asked it I wanted it. The cabinet is fairly solid and the side veneer looks good except for the door and drawer fronts which has some veneer lift. The grill is broken almost like the one on your machine. The lid on this thing I have looks in really good shape. I was going to rescue the machine but I gave up trying to locate the motor. The serial # is 4270. I understand the motor and cabnet #'s matched.

[dutchman]

Mine is a B 1 - went back out and checked.

[Jerry B.]

Yes, I think the serial number on the ID tag should match the number on the mechanism as well as major cabinet parts. I've heard stories about a dealer returning a mechanism to the factory for repair and the factory returning a different mechanism to expedite the repair. That would explain why some machines don't have matching numbers. I suspect a more likely reason with most machines would be collectors that marry parts from one machine to another because of condition. It's similar to finding a Vic VI with a Vic III back bracket. It's likely that the Vic III bracket was much nicer than the VI bracket and the owner did not realize there's a difference. Jerry

[dutchman]

Yep I can imagine that switch happening. A true shame, except for the grill I really wanted to bring my cabinet back to life but with no motor, and searching for a long long time I guess it shall become a donor. Cheers