The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So for music you'd just crack the speed knob to full then?l

BwanaJoe wrote:So for music you'd just crack the speed knob to full then?l

No, that could result in a broken governor spring. For music, the record should revolve at 160 rpm.

George P.

I know this machine. I have spoken with the Owner/Seller. The machine is an Amberola 30. She insists that the machine is an Edison No.6 because of the Edison Cabinet company No. 6 decal on the bottom of the machine. Edison had like 23 separate Cabinet vendors working for him, and just about each Amberola had an Edison Cabinet company No. decal on the bottom of the machine or inside the machine.

The machine is just north of me up I-95..

It needs both grilles, and I think that it may have an ICS reproducer in place of a normal Diamond "C" Reproducer.

)

Tony K.
Edison/Collector

NEFaurora wrote:I know this machine. I have spoken with the Owner/Seller. The machine is an Amberola 30. She insists that the machine is an Edison No.6 because of the Edison Cabinet company No. 6 decal on the bottom of the machine. Edison had like 23 separate Cabinet vendors working for him, and just about each Amberola had an Edison Cabinet company No. decal on the bottom of the machine or inside the machine.

The machine is just north of me up I-95..

It needs both grilles, and I think that it may have an ICS reproducer in place of a normal Diamond "C" Reproducer.

)

Tony K.
Edison/Collector

I'm just up the road from you so I'm sure we are talking about the same machine. Is there reason you didn't buy it? Price too high for the work involved?

And heck, my C19 is from cabinet company 33!

phonogfp wrote:

BwanaJoe wrote:So for music you'd just crack the speed knob to full then?l

No, that could result in a broken governor spring. For music, the record should revolve at 160 rpm.

George P.

So how do you what to set that dial to if there is one setting for music and one for ICS cylinders?

BwanaJoe wrote:

phonogfp wrote:

BwanaJoe wrote:So for music you'd just crack the speed knob to full then?l

No, that could result in a broken governor spring. For music, the record should revolve at 160 rpm.

George P.

So how do you what to set that dial to if there is one setting for music and one for ICS cylinders?

There aren't just two settings, but a variable control. As a matter of fact, it's quite common to hear novices playing antique phonographs too fast (to make more "peppy?").

Proper speed can be determined by slipping a small piece of paper between the record and the mandrel (or turntable) and having an inch or so sticking out. As the paper spins around, place a finger where the paper will brush against it as it revolves, then check the second hand of your watch. 40 "hits" within 15 seconds will mean 160 rpm. 19 or 20 within 15 seconds is 78 rpm for disc machines. Many collectors use stroboscopes for instant, precise measurement (try a search here and you'll find a good deal of discussion on stroboscopes).

George P.

Ah, thanks. I didn't know that would work with the cylinders as well.

I didn't pick up the machine because I already have quite a few nice Amberola 30's. Plus, Her asking price was kind of high, and usually through other dealers, I can get complete machines in the same shape, but complete for less than her asking price.

Forget Stroboscopes for cylinder players, IMHO, Don't waste your time... I got two of these Digital RPM gauges at the below link and never looked back. They are worth every penny! I highly recommend buying one or two of them. You can't beat the price! I've had them for two years now and can't speak highly enough about them. They are dead accurate and take out all the guesswork.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Digital-Pho ... 3f3ac46270

A Stroboscope is still good for a disc machine though. I haven't tried using the Digital RPM guage on a Disc machine, but I'm sure that I could easily do it as well.

PS: I didn't know that Edison had up to 33 Cabinet Factories (Cabinet Vendors) subcontracted to him.. I've only seen up to 23! ..and definitely never seen Cabinet Factory 33! Someone posted a small list once of like the 1st 10 Cabinet factories and what each one was. Frow may have listed it in one of his books as well. I'd have to check. Anyone have any known listings of them?

)

Tony K.
Edison Collector/Restorer

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. PM sent.