The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Paging through EPM, it's interesting to read that the Amberola IV was announced in September 1913. Of course it's not mentioned anywhere that this and the other "new" models announced were amalgamations of remaining parts from obsolete horn machines.

Also, the new Diamond Disc Phonograph was officially announced in the next issue of EPM, (October 1913). That also could help explain the lackluster sales of this particular model.

It's also interesting to note how they pushed the $45 'VIII' vs the $30 'X', when both actually sounded nearly the same, quality-wise. (Let me qualify that: The 'X' was almost as good as the 'VIII" AFTER they got rid of the crappy, noisy GEM motor & replaced it with the Fireside motor! )

I wonder about the reappearance of the external speed control on late machines: 160 rpm had long been accepted as standard (with the exception of language cylinders).

Bill