The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Fran wrote, "also lose the integrity of the proper serial number match for both the original cabinet AND the mechanism"

Rich Gordon wrote, "I agree with Fran in that seeing as the cabinet serial number matches the Machine"

Pardon my ignorance, but could you please tell me how you know the serial number and the cabinet number match on this machine? I can't tell from these pictures (the best I can see on the data plate is that the serial number is 3 digits), and I understand that these numbers don't necessarily match on Amberola IIIs straight from the factory.

What am I missing? Thanks.

Best wishes, Mark

It's my understanding that early versions of both the Amberola and Disc models had serial numbering in the horn compartments that corresponded to the mechanisms. I know this to be absolutely true for at least the Amberola I, A 250, and B 150, and assume this to be true (I read it somewhere, but can't cite where) for the Amberola III as well. As far as the Disc models are concerned, I believe this characteristic dissappeared once the B-Type mechanism was introduced.

Hopefully others will attest to this characteristic.

Best,
Fran

I know..
I just have so many other things to do in the summer months and I hate having it sit there all legless....

I should have read too Garret.. I thought it was an Amberola III cabinet also!... Geeze I am horrible...

Hmmmmm....

OldRestorer wrote:I know..
I just have so many other things to do in the summer months and I hate having it sit there all legless....

I should have read too Garret.. I thought it was an Amberola III cabinet also!... Geeze I am horrible...

Hmmmmm....

Kirk,

While we have you here, can you attest that your cabinet has the same serial number stamped into it, as is on the data plate? There should also be the same corresponding number located somewhere on the underside of the motor plate, I believe.

Best,
Fran

It seems like the one I had, also had the serial number stamped in the wood behind the neck of the horn in back where that door opens. but it's been a long time now and I can't say for sure. I remember thinking that when I refinished it for some reason, but that's close to 20 years ago now.

Fran wrote, "It's my understanding that early versions of both the Amberola and Disc models had serial numbering in the horn compartments that corresponded to the mechanisms."

Thanks. I had thought that Edison was getting the Amberola III cabinets from several sources, and what was stamped in the cabinets did not necessarily match the data plates/bedplate stampings on original machines. My knowledge is limited to what is in Frow, who doesn't have much to say about it.

Definitely all three numbers match on mine, serial number 304.

Best wishes, Mark

victorIIvictor wrote:Fran wrote, "It's my understanding that early versions of both the Amberola and Disc models had serial numbering in the horn compartments that corresponded to the mechanisms."

Thanks. I had thought that Edison was getting the Amberola III cabinets from several sources, and what was stamped in the cabinets did not necessarily match the data plates/bedplate stampings on original machines. My knowledge is limited to what is in Frow, who doesn't have much to say about it.

Definitely all three numbers match on mine, serial number 304.

Best wishes, Mark

Thank you, Mark.

Here are the numbers..
I dont see a match for the cabinet and mech....

Mech stamp is ??277
Cabinet stamp is 554
The plaque and plate match with serial #793

Kirk

OldRestorer wrote:Here are the numbers..
I dont see a match for the cabinet and mech....

Mech stamp is ??277
Cabinet stamp is 554
The plaque and plate match with serial #793

Kirk

Thank you, Kirk. I appreciate your patience with this curious old fat guy.

I wonder, in regard to the cabinet, what this might mean...

Is there a number stamped into the front of the cabinet?

Best,
Fran

I do not see any other numbers on the cabinet sorry...

Kirk