The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

pughphonos wrote:Very interesting, Fran. I think this particular example illustrates the fact that the Edison disc motor boards were all of the same size with the screw holes at the same locations--and therefore it was possible to switch the motor boards between the various cabinets. People obviously did that "back in the day" if they had a feature on their original machine that they didn't want to lose (Duncan stop; speed control knob) when switching to a different cabinet and horn.

I applaud the purists who want to have their machines in original configuration--and for the historical record it's important to document their various elements. But it's equally historically valid to note that Edison encouraged upgrades of extant machines--and there are plenty of interesting examples out there of hybrids (many put together by the owners themselves).

That's why I'm not at all "ashamed" to have a Schubert Edisonic that has a motor board from an S-19--one of my previous machines--as it has the speed control knob.

Absolutely.

The Diamond Disc Phonograph "B" Type Mechanism was developed and implemented in 1915 as a production "Standardization", and incidentally right after the "Great Edison Plant Fire" it was used for all of the future Diamond Disc Phonograph models -- except for the 60 and 80 models that might have still been kicking around.

Any of the various Phonograph models produced after 1915 (except the 60 and 80) would be able to accept the same motor-plate with 1 or 2 springs, and any one of the 3 various sized horns (100, 150, 250). The horn size was essentially the only restriction on which cabinet would have been used, because of space limitations of the horn compartment.

Best,
Fran

GMB,

I have one more question for you:

Would you please remove the turntable to notice if the motor-plate is completely flat entirely across it's top, or if it has a large circular depression nearly the same size as the turntable in it? Please remove the reproducer first, and place it on its side in a safe manner - to safeguard the diamond stylus and prevent any possible damage to it.

Thank you,
Fran

The motor plate has a round depression under the turntable. What is the significance of that?


Thank you gentlemen for all the information. So then, should I look for a grill for a WMC-033? Any ideas about finding one?

Regards,
GMB

Green Mountain Bill wrote:The motor plate has a round depression under the turntable. What is the significance of that?


Thank you gentlemen for all the information. So then, should I look for a grill for a WMC-033? Any ideas about finding one?

Regards,
GMB

Bill,

Essentially that is a feature that I've noted on many of the motor-plates that also had the electric stop installed on them, and this may have been one part of several manufacturing cost reduction efforts that started after America became involved in WWI. This feature was carried onward throughout the remainder of years the DD models were produced.

It also tells me that my earlier statement is very likely 100% correct, and the mechanism originally came from either a C-250, or W-250 produced between early 1917 and mid-late 1918.

It might be difficult to find a grille for yours, I'm not sure just how uncommon the WMC-33 might be, relatively speaking.

Hopefully someone here can help to create a pattern for you to make one, or maybe you'll get lucky and find someone with a complete grille from a parts machine. You could also try George Vollema, to see if he has one in stock. Here's his website: http://www.victroladoctor.com/

Best,
Fran

Speaking of, is it hard to repair these grills? I have the same machine, and I put my knee through it trying to move it over a bit... Stupid... But it's just cracked. Nothing's actually completely free from the grill.