The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Also, the most recent patent date on mine is 1896. His is several years later. Do you think the parts on his would work on mine?

Sorry all. I may not be replying to the correct person. I'm still trying to figure this out. But I really appreciate everyone's help.

And Happy New Year!!

Budaid wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2024 8:37 pm Jerry, the inside pieces were just laying around on the wood base and I am sure there are several pieces missing. See attached photo. Also, see the photo of the end of cylinder. I would like to know of someone who could restore it to working condition.

The cylinder mandrel pulley often goes bad on these. A member "dzavracky" 3d printed one for my similar Model A Gem, but I haven't run it yet simply because most of the motor is missing (spring, winding shaft, and governor parts.) Other bits might be available from a good phonograph supply house.

Budaid wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2024 9:15 pm Also, the most recent patent date on mine is 1896. His is several years later. Do you think the parts on his would work on mine?

Don't put too much importance on patent dates. The eBay example is a little later than yours, but they are both "Key wind" Gem, Model A's, and both using the flat winding key. Is $178 too much? That depends a lot on your desire to complete this, what you paid for it, what personal value you place on it, etc. That said, I'd say the price is a little high, but not sooo crazy. You can always ask if he'll accept an offer. For perspective, if your Gem were completed, it might be worth $350 or so. You could also try placing a Wanted ad on this forum. At the very least, the eBay example demonstrates what the missing parts, (the entire motor), looks like.

Looking closer at your photos, I can see that the reproducer also has some issues. Can you remove it and show a few pics of its underside?

Jerry, the Gem was free. I found it in my elderly mother's storage unit while cleaning it out. I don't remember ever seeing it in her house when I was growing up or as an adult but I thought it was fascinating. I have not done anything with the Gem except clean it. I noticed there were parts moving around on the inside so I removed the wood base and saved them in a ziplock. I have attached the reproducer pics. Let me know what you think.

Well, the good news is, it has the correct reproducer. The bad news is, someone has kind of butchered it up. Appears that the diaphragm is missing or broken and the housing has had a big notch filed into it, for reasons unknown. The stylus looks as if it may be good, however. The weight, (that has Model B cast into it), should not be able to hinge open as far as it does. This is indirectly due to the filed-in notch and the loss of connection between the diaphragm and the needle bar, (stylus bar).

For reference, this is how it should look... https://www.ebay.com/itm/176638519146?_ ... R7LDvbuEZQ

Wow, that one looks waaaay better then mine.

Good morning just saw this listed on EBay

JerryVan wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2024 8:53 pm It appears that all the parts you're missing are included here... https://www.ebay.com/itm/267099575856?_ ... R_L70PiDZQ

Any leftover, duplicate parts, could be resold.

Actually, this seller has those exact same parts that I linked to earlier, listed in 2 different auctions, (and one is $10 less than the other). I don't know if you had any interest, but I'd be asking some questions about that before thinking of buying.