The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Indestructible wrote:Congratulations on your first cylinder machine ! Thats really a nice score to find an Amerola V like that. Once you get that main spring fixed the curiosity of the cylinders will be a thing of the past. Enjoy !

Thank you ! I’m pretty excited to finally get into cylinders!

Antonian462 wrote: I was under the assumption I could play any 4 min cylinder. Am I safe the play the Oxford 4 minute cylinders?

The 4-minute Oxfords should be celluloid so yes, those can be played on your V.

Again, I recommend this article for you:
https://www.antiquephono.org/basic-anti ... onal-tips/

George P.

I've been enjoying this thread--looks like an awesome Amberola, very pretty design and condition!

Still, whatever you do, don't play a 4-minute wax Amberol! Your records need to either have iron rings in them, or a plaster core--unless you're playing modern replica cylinders. NO wax.

You might want to put one of Larry H's "TrueTone" diaphragms in. I have a cheap-o Amberola 30 with one in it and it gives a very pleasant, full sound for such a tiny horn.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:
Still, whatever you do, don't play a 4-minute wax Amberol! Your records need to either have iron rings in them, or a plaster core--unless you're playing modern replica cylinders. NO wax.

U-S Everlasting cylinders have a different spongy core with no rings or plaster, but the 4-minute versions would play just fine on this machine because the recording surface is celluloid.

Conversely, there are also 2-minute cylinders with metal rings, but the 4-minute versions all say "4M" on the rim so they're easy to spot. There are a few, rare 2-minute Blue Amberols, but they are only in the Mexican series and are seldom encountered.

At $400, You did well... You did very well..!!!

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer