The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Ahh, thank you Bruce!

So, the later A-250's would have included the muting system from the factory?

Also, would you share with me the serial number that coincides with the last date (8-20-14)?

There has been some discussion that the serialization blocks allotted to the A-250 and B-250 both started at zero and were separate allotments, do you agree? In the case of the C250, I'm convinced that was the case.

Best,
Fran

All very interesting information. I condidered taking the mute ball mech out and using both, but have decided against that. Out of the two mechs, reproducer or mute ball, which is rarer?

fran604g wrote:Ahh, thank you Bruce!

So, the later A-250's would have included the muting system from the factory?

Also, would you share with me the serial number that coincides with the last date (8-20-14)?

There has been some discussion that the serialization blocks allotted to the A-250 and B-250 both started at zero and were separate allotments, do you agree? In the case of the C250, I'm convinced that was the case.

Best,
Fran

Fran, I think the later 250’s volume control was factory installed, the reason being that they seem to be painted to match the horn. I’ve seen at least one case where the volume control appeared to have been installed after sale of the machine, (because the instructions were with it) and it was flat black while the horn is wood grained oak. Going on VERY small sample sizes here though.

The serial no. of the machine with the 8-20-14 tag is 12887, the highest I recall seeing. No. 11187 has a paper tag dated 4-3-14. Regarding the starting point for serial numbers, I don’t know. The lowest I recall seeing is in the 2xx range.

Dustie89 wrote:All very interesting information. I condidered taking the mute ball mech out and using both, but have decided against that. Out of the two mechs, reproducer or mute ball, which is rarer?

Dustie, I’d guess the mechanism built into the reproducer is rarer. I have an A150 that came with that type of reproducer. They don’t work very well and noticeably dampen the sound even when wide open. I bought a second matching reproducer without the volume control to use with the machine but keep the original with it because of course they came together.

Valecnik wrote:

fran604g wrote:Ahh, thank you Bruce!

So, the later A-250's would have included the muting system from the factory?

Also, would you share with me the serial number that coincides with the last date (8-20-14)?

There has been some discussion that the serialization blocks allotted to the A-250 and B-250 both started at zero and were separate allotments, do you agree? In the case of the C250, I'm convinced that was the case.

Best,
Fran

Fran, I think the later 250’s volume control was factory installed, the reason being that they seem to be painted to match the horn. I’ve seen at least one case where the volume control appeared to have been installed after sale of the machine, (because the instructions were with it) and it was flat black while the horn is wood grained oak. Going on VERY small sample sizes here though.

The serial no. of the machine with the 8-20-14 tag is 12887, the highest I recall seeing. No. 11187 has a paper tag dated 4-3-14. Regarding the starting point for serial numbers, I don’t know. The lowest I recall seeing is in the 2xx range.

Thank you, Bruce!

Valecnik wrote:

Dustie89 wrote:All very interesting information. I condidered taking the mute ball mech out and using both, but have decided against that. Out of the two mechs, reproducer or mute ball, which is rarer?

Dustie, I’d guess the mechanism built into the reproducer is rarer. I have an A150 that came with that type of reproducer. They don’t work very well and noticeably dampen the sound even when wide open. I bought a second matching reproducer without the volume control to use with the machine but keep the original with it because of course they came together.

Dustie, after my earlier inappropriate opinion, I would leave them both original too. I can see your dilemma in trying to decide which one to let go. As the knowledge plot thickens, so does my ignorance wane.

Bruce or Dustie, another question for you both; do you have a picture of the reproducer tone mute you can share? I'm curious what it looks like.

Best,
Fran

Here are a couple of pics of the reproducer volume control and the machines. The one on the right is the mute ball one, serial number 14444, and the left with a reproducer mute, serial number 75270.

First time I've seen that type of reproducer; thanks! Is that a chunk of wood or cork or ... ?

ps - I removed the ball-choking-thingy from my Edison DD machines, because it muffled the sound even when all the way out. I think the cats killed all of them, thinking they were some kinda rodents.

Thank you, Dustie! Very interesting indeed. That serial number (14444) is very high, I think. I wonder how close to the time of the factory fire it would have been produced?

Best,
Fran

fran604g wrote:Thank you, Dustie! Very interesting indeed. That serial number (14444) is very high, I think. I wonder how close to the time of the factory fire it would have been produced?

Best,
Fran

Could you double check that SN Dustie? Also, does it show up elsewhere?
- on bedplate?
- inside back of cabinet?
- Any date on the bottom of the paper tag usually inside back door or under the horn?

Thanks!

The number is also under the bedplate under the turn table with A1 next to it. I was curious what serial numbers may have survived the fire myself.

Dustie89 wrote:The number is also under the bedplate under the turn table with A1 next to it. I was curious what serial numbers may have survived the fire myself.

So definitely same SN, 14444? and 14444-A1?

What about the paper tag Dustie? Any date visible on it? Thats a very late sn.