Moving an Amberola 1A

[Hailey]

My father had a few phonographs before he passed away. He wrote down the names and model numbers so I knew what was what. I am getting ready to move a few things, and one of them is the Amberola 1A. I will have to lay it drown in order to move it. Can you all tell me what precautions I should take in transporting it?
Thanks so much.
Hailey

[Jerry B.]

Thanks for asking a very good question. Your Amberola 1-A is a historic machine and deserves good care when it is moved. I would:
1 - Remove the grills. There is a front grill and a two piece grill under the lid behind the mechanism.
2 - Loosen the thumb screw and remove the reproducer.
3 - Let the motor run down completely and remove the crank.
4 - Right behind the thumb screw that you just loosened is a collar to the horn. Loosen that collar completely.
5 - On an Amberola 1-A the cylinder mandrel (where the cylinder mounts) moves under the reproducer. Please slide that assembly to the left.
6 - Now you are ready to remove the mechanism and it's easy. The left side will lift. With the left side lifted slightly (3" or so), the mounting bracket on the back right is built to allow you to slightly lift and move towards the back of the cabinet. With very little movement, it will allow the pin to be free on the right front. The mechanism can now be carefully removed from the cabinet. Be careful not to damage the cabinet with the lower part of the mechanism when you lift and remove.
7 - You can remove the small neck end of the horn if you are going a long distance. Follow the neck of the horn and you will see a connection that is easily separated.
8 - I would remove all the cylinders in the drawers.
9 - I would not recommend locking the lid. I prefer to hold the lid shut with a bicycle tube. Regardless of the method, don't allow the lid to flop open.
10 - I would lay the cabinet on its back on top of a packing blanket.

*
You can do all of the above in much less time than it has taken to write this. Thanks for asking. You have a wonderful and quite valuable Edison and it deserves special care. Jerry Blais

[52089]

Jerry beat me to it

I would just add:
1) Wrap the reproducer up in bubble wrap and pack it away carefully. It's the most valuable individual piece of the machine.
2) Personally, I would remove the horn connector no matter how far I was going. No sense having it jostle around and possibly come loose or damage anything.
3) You may find it easier to remove the motor if you open the lid wide or remove it first.

[Hailey]

Thanks much for the tips.