The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thank you to all who replied, I guess I will just wait and try to get a DD machine after I get a full time job this summer.

Curt A wrote:Rube Goldberg Orange Squeezing Device, which also allows your son to become President...

FellowCollector wrote:

Curt A wrote:Rube Goldberg Orange Squeezing Device, which also allows your son to become President...

GrafonolaG50 wrote:Thank you to all who replied, I guess I will just wait and try to get a DD machine after I get a full time job this summer.

I don't necessarily want to discourage your interest in Edison Diamond Disc machines & records, but if money is an issue for you, you might first want to listen to some Diamond Discs on You-tube.

TAE Co. is famous ( or infamous ) for the character of music in their catalog ( both cylinder and disc )...

Many of us kind of roll our eyes when someone mentions Edison records... lots of hokey banjo arrangements, Vernon Dalhart weepy parlor ballads, and so-on.

There ARE bright spots, such as late DD's featuring the California Ramblers, records featuring Billy Jones and Ernie Hare, older DD's with Billy Murray and Ada Jones...

But, I got my first Diamond Disc machine (S-19) around 1989 while in College, and now I have two C-19 machines, which each have storage for 72 discs in the bottom of the cabinet.

In 25 years of casual DD collecting, I only have about 49 DD's in the bottom of my one C-19. I probably had another 10 DD's that I sent with my S-19 when I gave it to a friend.


Don't mean to put you off them, they are a technologically interesting contraption, just recommending some research before making any significant investment.

I agree with Frank... Since Tom was deaf and also not a fan of jazz, or anything resembling an upbeat melody - AND being responsible for making decisions on which artists and style of music to include on his records - it definitely leaves something to be desired.

As far as finding Edison DD records with good titles or later Amberols, unless you luck out, they are pricey and hard to find. The DD adapters for Victor machines work without any problems and allow you to select only those titles you really want and not have to invest in a DD machine. In 40 yrs I have only had one DD machine, not because they aren't readily available, I just don't want one.

Did Vicsonia offer Pathé ball sapphires for their reproducers, or did you modify them yourself?

FellowCollector wrote:I have two Vicsonia reproducers that I use on my Victors when I decide to listen to one of my Pathé vertically cut records.

Doug

A favorite ( and à propos) Goldberg cartoon, which, unfortunately does not seem to exist online:

"BREAKING EVEN: How to Get Square With the Man Who Always Starts His Talking Machine As Soon As You Get in the House"

"Wait till you hear the other 740 records."

"The fifteenth Nocturne for Budweiser, in the key of J, rendered by Ishmeal Rockcod."

"A Hindu Love Song:
Goofa swa potatoes, ahm sla jaw la cow te liver and bacon zuzu...."

"A Violin Pianologue on the Banjo, by the well-known cornetist, Julius Windjammer.....
Br-r-r-r-r-r bink ta bink bink ta bink ta bink ta bink bink bink bink bink..."

"Nothing means nothing-
And no one gives a hang -
Zam, Slam,
Bam, Wham.....
Bing Bang -
Doing the Feeble-Minded Glide..."

"I met her at a funeral,
In the middle of the lawn -
All the relatives were weeping
For the dear one who had gone -
And as they planted Father
For his everlasting nap,
I grabbed her and I planted
Forty kisses on her map..."

"Grab your partner by the hair,
Hit her with a kitchen chair,
Pat her gently with a brick,
Take a shovel and a pick;
Soak her with a tire tool,
Fan her with the piano stool -
Rough stuff -
Rough stuff -
How beautiful is Love..."

(Humorous monologue)
*like noise under water*
"Obble obble obble obble..."

Bill

Lucius1958 wrote:A favorite ( and à propos) Goldberg cartoon, which, unfortunately does not seem to exist online:

"BREAKING EVEN: How to Get Square With the Man Who Always Starts His Talking Machine As Soon As You Get in the House"

I remember seeing this great Rube Goldberg cartoon featured in (I believe!) one of the old "In The Groove" monthly issues published through MAPS (Michigan Antique Phonograph Society). If I can locate my copy of the issue that has it I'll post the cartoon as it was priceless for those who enjoy Rube's crazy cartoons. I could be wrong as it may have been in one of Allen Koenigsberg's APM or Martin Bryan's NAG issues but I'm pretty sure it was in one of the ITG ('In The Groove') issues. It was a good Rube Goldberg cartoon!

Sorry for sidetracking the topic a bit!!

Doug

I already have about 10-15 Diamond Discs I recieved as a gift, but unfortunately, I cannot play them.

Not making controversy here but just an opinion.....

Like some of the other members mentioned, depending on your taste, if you are looking for more jazzy hits, you will not find as many as low of a price as you will on regular 78s. Edison did record some good jazz and blues material, unfortunately it was late in the game for him. Most of my favorites are in the late 51000 and into the 52000 series, and many of the 52,000 series are well over $25.00 per a record. I will admit there are some good band and orchestra selections from the teens and into the 20's. Keep in mind, you have a limited range of records with the Edison Diamond Disc (1912-1929). With the Victor you have (1890's-1935ish). With Victor you have so many artists to choose from: Paul Whiteman, Duke Ellington, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Helen Kane and so many others. With Edison: a couple records by Fletcher Henderson, Rachmaninoff, Golden Gate Orchestra, Harry Reser, Zez Confrey.

If old Tom Edison, would not have been soooo stubborn, and recorded more upbeat "hot" music, his company may have lasted longer. His machines have the capability to really put out some good performance, sad he was so set in his ways. He was stuck in the 19th Century.

I have one machine, a B-19, I do like the machine, but will also mention that you will probably need the reproducer rebuilt, not expensive unless you need the diamond stylus replaced, these are about $ 100 and up.
I own maybe 100 diamond discs but spend more time listening to Victors and Columbia labels.

Edison records can sound great on a properly restored Edison machine. A dream machine for Edisons would probably be the Laboratory model or one of the Edisonics.

As for the 10-15 Edison Diamond Discs, you could try looking at the titles and typing them into you tube. See if you like the songs.

All the best,

Jerry