The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am glad this post is back to Homes vs Standards. If I wanted to witness unwarranted criticism I can watch the evening news.

For me I favour Standards as they are smaller and more elegant for an Edison. But, and there is almost always exceptions in this obsession we call phono collecting, I have recently changed to liking Homes, with the purchase of a nice Red Banner Home.

Bruce

gramophone78 wrote:I was simply letting him know that with regret, the "poll" feature we had for a while was lost with the transfer of moderators.

For what it's worth, gramophone78, I also think that the sense of your reply was clear.

However, is it only me or has the poll module still problems? I didn't vote (unfortunately I don't own either of the poll's models) but tried to see what other people voted, and the table said votes are 0-0. I find it hard to believe that, with all the comments this thread got so far, still nobody voted in the poll.

Is it just my computer?

benjaminh wrote:Hi everyone,
I would just want your opinion on which you prefer: an Edison Standard Phonograph or an Edison Home Phonograph.

Benjamin

I've enjoyed reading the comments on this. I enjoy both of these models in my collection so the decision is difficult as to which would be my preference. But here goes...

The Edison Home Phonograph has a few design flaws (please...only IMHO!):

1. Its feedscrew is completely unguarded and I cannot tell you how many times I've found damaged feedscrews on them over the years. Once any of those fine threads on the fragile feedscrew get damaged you're generally cooked (in trouble!).

2. The resistance on the carriage halfnut has to be tweeked ever so carefully to play correctly

3. For Homes with 2/4 minute gearing the complicated concept (design) of utilizing a planetary gear inside a "hollow" pulley in conjunction with a sliding "hub" and the tiny screws and locking sleeves to permit the hollow feedscrew sleeve to function properly lends itself to poor performance and causing some drag on the motor. Believe me, I have taken apart and adjusted a LOT of these Edison Home 2/4 minute assemblies on my own Home Phonographs and those of others and to me they're a pain in the butt.

4. The Edison home models C, D, E, F have the open ended mandrel and removing the swelled original mandrel bearing can be INCREDIBLY difficult due to the complicated design of the entire mandrel shaft assembly.

On an Edison Standard model C, D, E, F one can usually drive the mandrel shaft out with some patience and a sturdy wooden dowel but not so on a Home model with its fragile feedscrew included on the shaft along with other little fragile parts that are easily damaged.

5. The Home is a heavy machine relative to the the lighter weight Standard models and you get just about the same amount of play time with all things considered (model for model) with the lighter weight Standard.

Anyway, please know that I enjoy all of the Home and Standard models in my collection but the Home is definitely an odd design (IMHO!) and can be finicky at times to get playing great on a consistent basis.

So, if I HAD to choose it would be the Edison Standard if only for its simple and sensible design.

Doug

The reason I posted this topic originally, is because I have an opportunity to purchase a Edison Home Phonograph in very good condition for an excellent price. I had heard that the Home's aren't quite as reliable as the Standard's and wanted to ask your opinion. This would be my first phonograph, and I want it to be a well playing one.

What do you think?

Even though I voted for the Standard, the Home will serve you well. It will make a wonderful first machine. Jerry Blais

benjaminh wrote:The reason I posted this topic originally, is because I have an opportunity to purchase a Edison Home Phonograph in very good condition for an excellent price. I had heard that the Home's aren't quite as reliable as the Standard's and wanted to ask your opinion. This would be my first phonograph, and I want it to be a well playing one.

What do you think?

In spite of the constructive criticism that I shared of the Edison Home Phonograph (above), if I were offered an Edison Home Phonograph that played nicely at a decent price as my first phonograph I would buy it very quickly.

Be sure that it plays through a cylinder nicely. That should serve as a good indication that the fragile feedscrew is in good functioning condition. You might want to also examine the threads on the feedscrew visually while slowly turning the mandrel.

A nice looking original Edison Home Phonograph in nice playing condition is still a great investment. I continue to enjoy the different Home models in my collection.

As a further note, if you're considering the purchase of an Edison Home Phonograph model C (rarely found indeed!!), D, E or F make SURE that the mandrel spins freely especially if you are unfamiliar with replacing that confounded pot metal bearing that was used originally on these models.

If you're considering the model A or B Home Phonograph then you should have no worries about a mandrel bearing as the mandrel and feedscrew assembly is supported on each end by bearings.

Good luck.

Doug

The Home will offer better horn options because it's heavier and will accept a larger horn. Jerry Blais

Thanks for the advice; I've decided to get the Home; I'll post pictures when I get it.\

Benjamin

If considering a Home, I'd suggest a B or later, with the one-piece top-plate.

The A models have a two-piece upper-works ( bed-plate, plus upper casting ) - more stuff to get into happy alignment, rubber insulators , etc.


Good luck !

The Home I'm probably going to purchase is a model B with 2 & 4 min gearing.

Thanks again for all your help,
Benjamin