The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It is too bad you are so far away from me. I have a nice donor oak A-100 case that would make yours complete.

I too have one like this - I named it "Stumpy" LOL

So, three of them turn up in various parts of the country... What is the real story behind them? Is this a production variation? A salesman's sample? Maybe three different people back then had the same idea about cutting the legs off in the same place on the same model? Who knows?

startgroove wrote:So, three of them turn up in various parts of the country... What is the real story behind them? Is this a production variation? A salesman's sample? Maybe three different people back then had the same idea about cutting the legs off in the same place on the same model? Who knows?

The real story as that the A-100 had long, spindly legs that snapped off pretty easily. Over the course of time, many owners cut the legs down to varying lengths. I sincerely doubt that any of the "other" owners meant they had one literally exactly like the one pointed out by the OP, just that they too had cut-down A-100s.

That does seem to make sense. Yet, another explanation makes sense too. Both of the pictures in this thread show the legs cut off in the same spot. However, on examination of an A-100 without short legs, there is no distinguishing feature that would act as as guide, or a convenient place, where two or more people, who are on opposite sides of the country, would decide to cut the legs off at the same spot. There may be a connection there. Does anyone else have a short legged A-100 for comparison?

startgroove wrote:That does seem to make sense. Yet, another explanation makes sense too. Both of the pictures in this thread show the legs cut off in exactly the same place. However, on examination of an A-100 without short legs, there is no distinguishing place that would act as as guide, or a convenient place, where two or more people, who are on opposite sides of the country, would decide to cut the legs off at the same spot. There may be a connection there. Does anyone else have a short legged A-100?

Compare actual measurements on the legs. To me, it looks like the OPs may be slightly longer than yours.

I've given this topic a great deal of thought I think this diamond disk player was Edison's way of competing within the child size phonograph market. Just think you never have to change the needle for the kids.

Kevan

I finally got a chance to examine my short legged A-100 up close. I had to dig it out of the corner and find some space to up end it. After checking the leg ends, I found clear evidence that they had been sawed off. No doubt in my mind now that mine was once a long legged model that was customized into a chairside or maybe a child's phonograph.

Towards the end of production Edison had to scrimp and save on costs. By the time they got around to making the 1962 model diamond disk there was very little money in the budget for wood.