Featured Phonograph № 5

[Valecnik]

My understanding is that the early Amberola line had no grillecloth when new, but every production model Diamond Disc machine I've seen in vintage pictures did indeed have a silk cloth---that's the reason that some photographed looking white while others photographed looking dark grey. Silk changes in look depending on the direction of light source to the cloth.
I have an A-250 and indeed, the horn is slightly larger than the standard "laboratory" 250 horn. In a future post, I will provide the measurements as well as the serial number. On mine, the Cygnet horn neck clip is all that holds the two parts of the horn together.
By the way, does anyone know of a good reproduction or original grille for one of these? Mine was damaged when I got it and I made a replacement [at the age of 16] which is close, but not quite accurate---the only picture I had at the time was the one in "From Tinfoil to Stereo" of the Outdoor horn attachment experiment on an A-250. A good template would be all I need if no other method is available. I have the original frame for the grille, which is in use now.

Sounds like you've got one of the earlier ones if it's got the larger, (slightly larger than 250 sized) horn. Is the cygnet neck clip really all that holds the horn together? Look for a small hole about an inch away from the clip where a knurled nut would have been. My A300 has the knurled nut plus the cygnet clip (visible in the second to last pic) as does my A150. It could be that yours should have this too but the hole is not visible or is covered by muck of some sort?

[hillndalefan]

Firstly, Thank you for the link to the grille replacement.
Secondly, you are absolutely right about the hole. When I checked, by golly, it was there. I had never paid any attention to it, because the machine was in such a shape when I first got it, that I didn't realize what it meant. I've used the machine for 44 years now with just the clip holding the horn together without any problems. Anyone know where to get a replacement knurled knob screw for it?

[Valecnik]

Hillandale fan,

Using trial and error I found a screw with the right threads in a hardware store for my A150. Of course it does not look right. It's shiney silver but it does the job. Unlike your machine, the horn on the A150 would not remain properly clamped to the elbow without it so I had to do something.

Regarding finding an original replacement... good luck. If your's is holding together okay, I'm not sure I'd bother. After all you cannot even see it unless you look in thte back and even then the fact that it's missing is almost unnoticeable.

[hillndalefan]

Hello, again Valecnik!

I finally got the measurements on the horn of my A250. It's 12 inches X 17 ½ inches! The serial number is SM 8956, so I don't think it's one of the earliest, but I'm not sure how close to the end of 1914 it might be. Thanks for the help. Bob Ault

[Valecnik]

Many on the forum have obviously seen this one before but, a couple years back I sent it out to Steve Farmer to have the broken front leg fixed and lightly restored, meaning refinished on the bottom front, where it was basically gone, and the rest of the cabinet clean. Here is the result. Admittedly I also did a little better job with the pics this time around which helps too.

[Valecnik]

Adding a few more. The date on the paper tag, (last picture) appears to be 11-20-12. It's the earliest I've seen so far.

[phonogfp]

As I posted over four years ago, fabulous machine! The restored cabinet looks great.

George P.

[VintageTechnologies]

Drop dead gorgeous! I love the veneer on the lid.

[STARR-OLA]

Beautiful machine!

[Tinkerbell]

Adding a few more. The date on the paper tag, (last picture) appears to be 11-20-12. It's the earliest I've seen so far.

O.M.G. That is gorgeous!!

Incidentally, I miss the days of "Featured Phonograph."