The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

René wrote, "There's a good reason yours and mine have L rather than Diamond A reproducers."

The reason being that both original purchasers thought the price of an upgrade was too dear, no?

Best wishes, Mark

victorIIvictor wrote:René wrote, "There's a good reason yours and mine have L rather than Diamond A reproducers."

The reason being that both original purchasers thought the price of an upgrade was too dear, no?

Best wishes, Mark

The Opera was introduced in November 1911 - - about a year before the introduction of the Blue Amberol record and the Diamond A reproducer designed to play it (Oct. 1912). During that first year of production, the Model L was the only reproducer available for the Opera.

George P.

I get your point, George (and my response was intended to be somewhat humorous, besides). Still, I'm surprised to see two machines with a Model L reproducer, even if they are early Operas. From reading Frow I get the impression that Edison was aggressive in trying to convince Model L owners to upgrade by exchanging their Model L for a Diamond A. I figured the reason Model L reproducers are so scarce today is because most owners took Edison up on the offer, and Edison destroyed the exchanged Model L reproducers. If the reproducers here are original to the machines, here, perhaps, were two original purchasers who declined Edison's offer. Is that a plausible scenario, or am I off-base?

Best wishes, Mark

victorIIvictor wrote:I get your point, George (and my response was intended to be somewhat humorous, besides). Still, I'm surprised to see two machines with a Model L reproducer, even if they are early Operas. From reading Frow I get the impression that Edison was aggressive in trying to convince Model L owners to upgrade by exchanging their Model L for a Diamond A. I figured the reason Model L reproducers are so scarce today is because most owners took Edison up on the offer, and Edison destroyed the exchanged Model L reproducers. If the reproducers here are original to the machines, here, perhaps, were two original purchasers who declined Edison's offer. Is that a plausible scenario, or am I off-base?

Best wishes, Mark

Being the kind of person I am, who can't get rid of anything, If I'd bought an Opera in 1911 I'd have also bought a whole bunch of wax amberols over the course of the year, would have been first in line for the new diamond A but also would have hung onto the L.

victorIIvictor wrote: If the reproducers here are original to the machines, here, perhaps, were two original purchasers who declined Edison's offer. Is that a plausible scenario, or am I off-base?

Best wishes, Mark

Absolutely plausible, especially since the Model L can play Blue Amberol records. Who cared if the sapphire wore out? Replacements were available at the Edison dealer for nominal cost. And if, like Valecnik, you filled your record cabinet with wax Amberols, you would want to keep that Model L around...

George P.

This “Special Ordered” 1902 Mahogany Victor Monarch Special

Is very special!! Very beautiful machine. It is right up there with Jerry's new Toy.

I managed to cop this magnificent beast fairly locally, at a very nice price. Needs some work, which'll be a long, very careful process. Sorry about the craptastic photos -- they're the best I have yet, since flash is no good, and the sun seldom comes out anymore around here...

Over the years I'd bump into collectors around town.
This year, a change in my work schedule enabled me to meet weekly with one like-minded phono-nut.
I'd say a developing friendship counts as best of 2014.

James.

phonogfp wrote:Absolutely plausible, especially since the Model L can play Blue Amberol records. Who cared if the sapphire wore out? Replacements were available at the Edison dealer for nominal cost. And if, like Valecnik, you filled your record cabinet with wax Amberols, you would want to keep that Model L around...

Actually, mine came with a Diamond A in addition to the L. This is exactly as the machine was originally found on the east coast in the mid-1970s. So I am quite certain the original owner did upgrade, but for the reasons mentioned he kept his original L reproducer to play his existing stock of Amberols.

To my own surprise, I much prefer the sound of the L so I just leave it that way even for playing Blue Amberols.

Roaring20s wrote:Over the years I'd bump into collectors around town.
This year, a change in my work schedule enabled me to meet weekly with one like-minded phono-nut.
I'd say a developing friendship counts as best of 2014.

James.

Well stated, James! In hindsight, I'd have to say the same thing.

Fran