The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

De Soto Frank wrote:Nate,

Nice acquisition ! I think you did well, getting everything for $450. The "banner" decal on the front of the machine looks to be in very nice condition !

My wife surprised me at Christmas with a two-minute Edison Standard B, with a 30" Superior Metal Co. all-brass horn, that I'd had my eye on at a local antique dealer. He was asking $300 for that outfit, and I don't imagine my wife haggled on the price.
The decal is half-gone on mine, and the cabinet finish is pretty dirty / shot, but with a little oiling and a "quickie" belt made from ½" wide theatrical "spike tape", I had it playing very nicely. It will play through 3-½ two-minute cylinders on one winding, dragging a 14 inch "witches-hat".

Regarding the horn crane: I rather like the version that clamps-onto the bottom of the case: there's a metal strap with a hook on the back end, and a sliding clamp on the front, and has a "foot" that extends forward, to prevent the machine from tipping front-wards. George Paul told me of these, saying that the originals were made by the Tea-Tray Company, a supplier of nice Japanned horns.

There is an e-bay vendor by the name of "ladanjus" (sp ?) that sells a nice repro of the TT Co. crane. This crane also has the advantage of being adjustable to fit several widths of case-bottom.

That said, the floor stand might also be a good idea, I've seen a version on e-bay made-up from a modern round-base mic stand and ½" copper plumbing pipe, sweated with 45* elbows to make the "crook", and all painted black.

The only ID on my 30" "Superior" horn is stamped-into the diamond-shaped brass reinforcing plate with the loop for the chain, which is sweated to the horn.

phonogfp wrote:

De Soto Frank wrote:
The only ID on my 30" "Superior" horn is stamped-into the diamond-shaped brass reinforcing plate with the loop for the chain, which is sweated to the horn.

Are you sure it says "Superior?" It sounds very much like "Standard Metal Manufacturing Company." If it is truly stamped "Superior," I'd love to see a photo of the hanger, as I've never encountered that brand before.

George P.

victorIIvictor wrote:DeSoto Frank wrote, "There is an e-bay vendor by the name of "ladanjus" (sp ?) that sells a nice repro of the TT Co. crane."

This one, I think:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reproduction-Te ... 3385c22fcd

I have done business with this vendor (JAS Antiques), and I recommend them. Best wishes, Mark

NateO wrote:

victorIIvictor wrote:DeSoto Frank wrote, "There is an e-bay vendor by the name of "ladanjus" (sp ?) that sells a nice repro of the TT Co. crane."

This one, I think:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reproduction-Te ... 3385c22fcd

I have done business with this vendor (JAS Antiques), and I recommend them. Best wishes, Mark

Thank you for the link. I'll certainly consider that as an option. I was also considering a bird cage stand.

I found my first cylinder today, and replaced the belt with a rubber band for a test. The machine and reproducer play beautifully! When I need them, cylinders are no where to be found...

Nathan

fran604g wrote:I have a TTCo. repro crane (front mount) on my Green Oak Home A and the 30" Brass horn I have is heavy enough to make the whole thing slightly unstable enough to concern me a little. I can't imagine the same setup on my Standard A 4 latch giving me confidence enough to do this. Fran

De Soto Frank wrote:

phonogfp wrote:

De Soto Frank wrote:
The only ID on my 30" "Superior" horn is stamped-into the diamond-shaped brass reinforcing plate with the loop for the chain, which is sweated to the horn.

Are you sure it says "Superior?" It sounds very much like "Standard Metal Manufacturing Company." If it is truly stamped "Superior," I'd love to see a photo of the hanger, as I've never encountered that brand before.

George P.

George -

You're absolutely right. The diamond plate reads "Standard Metal Manufacturing Co. Newark, NJ."


Sometimes my memory double-crosses me...



( Now I will have to deal with the disappointment that my horn is no longer "Superior", but only "Standard"... )


Frank

NateO wrote: Thank you for the link. I'll certainly consider that as an option. I was also considering a bird cage stand.

I found my first cylinder today, and replaced the belt with a rubber band for a test. The machine and reproducer play beautifully! When I need them, cylinders are no where to be found...

Nathan