The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That is insulator hard card board. Sometimes waxed, sometimes not. If your test finds asbestos in it I would be amazed. Pictured below is what asbestos that was used in the Victor and RCA Electrolas looks like. It is light grey in color and very fibrous and very easily torn. Thus if it was out from under an amp it was covered with tin to keep from damaging it. It was never used as an electrical insulator. It was used solely for heat protection to the cabinet from power resistors and the ballast tube. If you encounter the real asbestos and are that afraid of it, do't be. Just don't sniff it or lick it. You you are that concerned you can buy a thick white ceramic paper on line that looks very similar to the asbestos. That way you can replace it and retain the same look. See photos below.

If it makes you feel better to have it tested I just hope it does not cost you much.


Best regards,
Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN
electrolaman 64

The test kit didn't cost very much - I was surprised how little it was to be honest.

The suspect material may not contain asbestos but as I have the amp open I think it wise just to check. As you say it would seem a strange place to use it as there is no extreme heat source in this location. I guess the ballast tube gets hot but then I don't see why it would cover underneath all of the components. I should have the results back in a couple of days which will answer the question one way or the other and I will post the results here.

I have already removed the small asbestos sheet that was underneath my 9-55 cabinet protecting it from the heat of the pilot light.I have other grams with asbestos in but as it is all in perfect condition and protected within the cabinet I don't have any worries about that.

My only concern with my 9-55 amp is that things will need to be disturbed to restore it and that being the case I think it wise just to know if extra precautions need to be taken when that work is done.

So I have today had the test result back on the sample I took and thankfully it confirms that no asbestos is present. Whilst the result is negative I am still glad that I paid out for the test because at least I now have the peace of mind of knowing for sure that this amplifier doesn't contain it.

Good of you to confirm that, in the interest of safety. It is better to be sure there is no asbestos danger, than to be suspicious that there may be one. We can all rest easy now. Cheers, Russie