The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

While I would never urge somebody to make that modification today, a model B with its quiet motor AND a top mounted speed control would make that my daily player of choice.

Martin

Machines like this make collecting so interesting. Plus, our Forum is the perfect place to have such a great discussion. Jerry B.

I really thank you all again. I didnt want to look like a goober bringing this up, but it really had me stumped!

If anyone is interested in this feel free to PM me.

Thanks again!

T

Did you ever check for the four tiny holes in the front of the cabinet just above the base molding? The little holes would indicate the case had an ICS label. ICS Standards, regardless of model, have the speed control above the deck so you can slow a language cylinder to the correct speed. Jerry B.

Many machines were altered at the Edison store if the machine had a cygnet horn. You cannot lift the bed plate to adjust the speed without taking off the horn. Much easier to drill the hole for the speed adjuster and adjust the speed.

I wish I had a B like this! I no longer use my machine for brown-wax cylinders (my little Columbia Q deals remarkably effectively with these and has the correct gauge of stylus), but even among moulded cylinders I sometimes find reasons for altering the speed. For example, early British Edison-Bell black cylinders – those with embossed lettering on the thick end – often sound unnaturally shrill to me at 160 r.p.m. Besides, I am now beginning to use the Standard for recording, and I intend to run it at 120 r.p.m. for this purpose; it keeps pitch quite well at this speed, and I mean to concentrate on classical pieces for which the extra minute of playing time is important.

Oliver Mundy.

I never looked. I ended up selling it to a guy because I really didnt need a straight 2 minute player.

Whilst this message may be a little late in view that the OP has now sold the machine in question , folks may be interested to know that I too have an example of a Model B Standard that has a manual speed adjusting screw , that I recently bought here in the UK. The serial number is 635257 and although naturally I do not know the history of its original ownership , it looks to be entirely authentic and original and had been in the possession of the previous owner's family for a long time. Certainly an Edison factory made adjusting screw just like the Model A , the hole in the bed-plate is the same smaller diameter as found in the ICS Model C variants. It has the tall case and end-gate for the mandrel as one would expect for a Model B, but interestingly , the gilt lining decoration on the bed - plate is the same as found on Model C and Model D Standards ! -- I would have expected the simply designed tufts of grass rather than the scrolls of the later style bed-pate decorations. It certainly bears no evidence of previously having an ICS back - spacer fitted to the straight - edge and in all respects is a normal Model B other than the speed knob and the gilt lining is the same as is normally seen on a Model C bed-plate ! The machine had never previously been in the hands of a collector , so definitely has not been tampered with. Anyone got any ideas ? Regards from England Dulcetto

Hi Dulcetto.

I'd like to add your machine to my list. Would it be possible to upload a couple of photos? Maybe a wide shot of the whole machine and a closer angle of the bedplate? Your machine came near the end of Model B production, so I'm interested in documenting any late variations.

Regards,
Martin