The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonogfp wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:02 pm

MisterGramophone wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:00 pm Yeah, it’s not quite a thing, but it’s better than naming the model and reproducer, but, is it a good idea to play a blue/royal purple Amberol on one of these things or vice versa, or should I just use separate machines?

Forgive me, but apparently I don't understand the question.

George P.

phonogfp wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:53 pm

MisterGramophone wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:36 pm Ok, good to know
Should I play them on separate machines or both on a wax Amberol machine?

There is really no such thing as a "wax Amberol machine." It's all in the reproducer and the gearing. This is all shown in the article whose link I provided above, if you care to read it.

George P.

AmberolaAndy wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:53 pm

phonogfp wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:53 pm

MisterGramophone wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:36 pm Ok, good to know
Should I play them on separate machines or both on a wax Amberol machine?

There is really no such thing as a "wax Amberol machine." It's all in the reproducer and the gearing. This is all shown in the article whose link I provided above, if you care to read it.

George P.

Technically, the Model E Machines (excluding the Triumph E due to playing both lengths of records) could be considered to be the "wax amberol machine" being an early 4 minute only machine pre-blue amberols.

drh wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 9:21 pm The short answers:

No, you can't play any wax cylinder on an Amberola 30, 50, or 75. You can play only 4-minute celluloid cylinders on those machines.

Yes, you can play blue or purple amberol cylinders on any machine with 4-minute gearing and a 4-minute reproducer.

If the machine has the appropriate gear shift, you can play both 2-minute and 4-minute cylinders on a single machine, but you must have the right reproducers and make sure to select the appropriate gearing for the type you are trying to play. Do not play 2-minute cylinders with a 4-minute reproducer (will damage the cylinder). Do not play 4-minute cylinders with a 2-minute reproducer (may harm the stylus and will not give good sound). Some reproducers, like the model O, can select between the two types; with one of those, you need only the single reproducer, but you must make sure to select the correct stylus for the type of cylinder you are playing.

If your machine has only 2-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 4-minute gearing to play 4-minute cylinders. If your machine has only 4-minute gearing, you will need a separate machine with 2-minute gearing to play 2-minute cylinders.

JerryVan wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:39 am Who's on first...


Forget about what "machine" you can play what on.

Wax Amberols can only be played with the following reproducers; H, K, O, N, S, L
Wax Amberols can NOT be played with the; Diamond A, B or C reproducers

In other words, nothing with this type of stylus...
Screenshot 2025-06-26 083638.png



Blue/Purple Amberols can be played with all of the above.

JerryVan wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:12 pm I give up............