The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For indoor playing my Micro-Perophone Chromogram fitted with a Meltrope 1 soundbox is the best all-rounder for discs, and for cylinders the Amberola 50 is my only machine. It replaced a 30 and is a worthwhile upgrade. A fuller sound, a better quality cabinet (at least on my early version Serial No.5594) and a much better motor which will play 4 or 5 cylinders on one winding.

I also play records outdoors at classic car shows with a portable. I have many portables to choose from, but am currently using an Electrola 106R. This is a German hybrid model with no identical HMV equivalent, comprising a 101 sound system in a 102 style case. It was probably brought to the UK by a returning soldier at the end of WW2.

For disks, a tossup between my Edison C-250 and Edisonic Schubert. (I blush to say, which one I choose usually depends on which one has more, er, stuff piled up on the lid!) For cylinders, Edison Triumph D with (undersized) cygnet horn and model O reproducer (with the cut down weight). My old Edison Standard B, the first cylinder machine I ever had, is not set up for playing, but that may well change; the Triumph has developed motor issues, and I have no idea when I'll be able to get that taken care of. My sole other cylinder machine is a Pathé 0, cute as a display piece but not too practical for playing.

For disc records it would be a Credenza or, for Diamond Discs, an Edison C19. For cylinders, an Edison Triumph with an O reproducer for wax cylinders and a Standard with a Diamond B for celluloid cylinders.

Clay

P.S. When I first wrote this, I forgot one--a humble Pathé Model 75 for my Pathé vertical cuts.

The machines I play the most are the Triumph E with #11 Cygnet horn and "O"reproducer with cut down weight,The C-250 Diamond Disc,and the Credenza.edisonplayer

I don't have a single machine that gets more usage than the others, but I usually select a particular machine according to the record format that I wish to hear. Some of my collection are shelf queens, while others get regular usage.

4M celluloid cylinders - Edison Opera
2M celluloid cylinders - Edison Home, Model "F", "O" reproducer, wood cygnet horn
2M & 4M wax cylinders - Edison Fireside, Model "A", "K" reproducer, metal cygnet horn
Edison Diamond Disk - Edison C19
Pathé disks - Pathéphone No. 4
Acoustic 78's - Victor III
Electric 78's - modern turntable.

Strange to say, I don't have an Orthophonic console. (Truthfully, I need a larger house!)

I use the following at home, sorted by most used to least used:

Garrard 4HF (electric) for recording 78s
Victor X for recreational listening
Edison Amberola 30 for 4 minute cylinders
Edison Standard B for 2 minute cylinders
Edison A100 for recreational listening of Diamond Discs
Edison C150 configured for recording Diamond Discs

I also have a Victor X in my storage unit to play 78s. No electricity there, so it works great.

Cliff

Some of our esteemed readers make shake there head in disbelief- but I prefer my upright model B 1915 Silvertone !
It has been rebuilt- including the sound reproducer, and I enjoy the heck out of it!
I was wondering- how many times can one play a 78 rpm record, changing the needle after every play, until the sound is adversely affected? 1000? or more? Regards, Johnny

My HMV 194 gramophone gets the most playing time, because it sounds the best!

My Victor IV, with the mahogany horn and Exhibition soundbox for acoustics, my Credenza for electrics.

Well it would be the A250 or the Triumph for me.

I also use a modern turntable for electrics and N- E+ acoustics.

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