Let's see your C-250?

[HisMastersVoice]

From all that I've read and what others have stated, including George P., the C-250 and C-19 cabinets for a very short period of time both share drawers, so, they could be identical in all characteristics, except for data plates and bedplate pinstriping, I believe.

Fran

I believe you are correct, the transitional machines were nearly identical.

[FloridaClay]

From all that I've read and what others have stated, including George P., the C-250 and C-19 cabinets for a very short period of time both share drawers, so, they could be identical in all characteristics, except for data plates and bedplate pinstriping, I believe.

Fran

I've read that too Fran, and it does not surprise me. Edison was not one to let leftover parts from prior models go to waste.

Alex, here is my oak C-19. It is indeed a whopper! I am 5'11" and when I stand next to it and rest my arm on it, the arm is level. They are very sturdy machines and sound really good. Mine came with an optional Edisonic reproducer. I have mixed emotions about that. It does produce a lot of volume, but to my ear the sound is a bit shrill in comparison to the reproducer that was standard on these machines.

Clay

[fran604g]

From all that I've read and what others have stated, including George P., the C-250 and C-19 cabinets for a very short period of time both share drawers, so, they could be identical in all characteristics, except for data plates and bedplate pinstriping, I believe.

Fran

I've read that too Fran, and it does not surprise me. Edison was not one to let leftover parts from prior models go to waste.

Alex, here is my oak C-19. It is indeed a whopper! I am 5'11" and when I stand next to it and rest my arm on it, the arm is level. They are very sturdy machines and sound really good. Mine came with an optional Edisonic reproducer. I have mixed emotions about that. It does produce a lot of volume, but to my ear the sound is a bit shrill in comparison to the reproducer that was standard on these machines.

Clay

I have to admit, Clay, after seeing the oak cabinets, I really think I need one.

The lighter color tone is sooo nice!

Fran

[FloridaClay]

I like both the mahogany and the oak, but the tiger oak grain really does pop. Even though I have some much less common machines too, the C-19 probably brings more "oh, WOW" exclamations from visitors who aren't collectors than anything else I have. Vivid graining and the size of the beast make it hard to ignore.

Clay

[De Soto Frank]

From all that I've read and what others have stated, including George P., the C-250 and C-19 cabinets for a very short period of time both share drawers, so, they could be identical in all characteristics, except for data plates and bedplate pinstriping, I believe.

Fran

I've read that too Fran, and it does not surprise me. Edison was not one to let leftover parts from prior models go to waste.

Alex, here is my oak C-19. It is indeed a whopper! I am 5'11" and when I stand next to it and rest my arm on it, the arm is level. They are very sturdy machines and sound really good. Mine came with an optional Edisonic reproducer. I have mixed emotions about that. It does produce a lot of volume, but to my ear the sound is a bit shrill in comparison to the reproducer that was standard on these machines.

Clay

Clay,

That machine is beautiful !

Do you know if the grille- cloth is original ? I have a C-19 Mahogany that has a similar, gold cloth, which I believe is original.

Frank

[Valecnik]

My C19 with original but tattered grill cloth.

[pughphonos]

C-250s are cool; one of Edison's most distinctive machines.

I owned a really nice one from 2006 until 2011; here's a You Tube video of mine from 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o6xZy5a4GY

I bought it from an antique store in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a very, very late C-250, with the wooden dividers (which came to an end in 1919 with the switch to the C-19 designation); had the Duncan stop and even the old battery knocking around behind the horn. It was loaded with records from 1919 and just before; the first owner had obviously stocked it well at time of purchase--and then failed to update his collection.

I let it go for a couple reasons. 1) The C-250 is such a big machine that it can really stick out in a room if your space isn't ample. 2) It was one of my first phonographs (but not a family heirloom), so you know how that goes: after awhile you're curious to try something different. Now my Edison DD machine (the FINAL one!) is a Schubert Edisonic. I keep my phonos down to a handful and then lavish upgrades and repairs on the ones I do have.

I sold the C-250 to Ron Haring of Plano, Illinois in mid-2011; he might still have it.

Ralph

[JohnM]

Another subtle difference is the design progression of the 'Official Laboratory Model' medallions affixed to the cabinet in the turntable compartment. The earliest were pentagonal with a circular center and state: 'The $250 Disc Phonograph is the Official laboratory Model', but the verbiage and shape changed over time. It would be interesting to nail down the dates of these changes and corresponding s/n's.

[phonogfp]

I owned a really nice one from 2006 until 2011; It was a very, very late C-250, with the wooden dividers (which came to an end in 1919 with the switch to the C-19 designation);

Ralph,

That's very interesting. I've seen C-19s with either drawers (earlier) or slats (later), but I've never seen a C-250 with anything but drawers. Considering the number of cabinet suppliers building the Chippendale cabinets for Edison, I suppose anything is possible. I'd love to know the serial number if you have it on file.

George P.

[pughphonos]

I owned a really nice one from 2006 until 2011; It was a very, very late C-250, with the wooden dividers (which came to an end in 1919 with the switch to the C-19 designation);

Ralph,

That's very interesting. I've seen C-19s with either drawers (earlier) or slats (later), but I've never seen a C-250 with anything but drawers. Considering the number of cabinet suppliers building the Chippendale cabinets for Edison, I suppose anything is possible. I'd love to know the serial number if you have it on file.

George P.

George, I wasn't being very clear with my record storage description. Mine had the pull-out drawers with a complete set of thin dividers that you could use to section off your records within each drawer. She was C-250 serial number 33500--a standard C-250, but late.