The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am a complete novice regarding cylinder machines and so I'm seeking advice: is the Model 75 a good machine? From what I've seen on YouTube, they seem like a good sounding, very attractive machine. I was also wondering how much is a good price for a fair/working example.
I can't see a lot of discussion on this board regarding them. Is that because there aren't that many around?

The Amberola 75 is a fine machine, essentially the same as the tabletop 50, except for the added cylinder storage shelves. It has a double-spring motor and a larger horn than the very available Amberola 30. It is common enough to not attract much attention for advanced collectors, but it would be an excellent single machine for one of limited means and space.
In my opinion a nice example would be 300-500 dollars in today's market.
Hope this helps!
Bob

Agree with Bob. A great start for your collection you should be able to get at a reasonable price.

Assume you know that these are for the 4 minute Amberola cylinders, not the older 2 minute wax cylinders. The 4 minute Amberolas are readily available. There are almost always dozens available on eBay.

Clay

barnettrp21122 wrote:The Amberola 75 is a fine machine... for one of limited means and space.
In my opinion a nice example would be 300-500 dollars in today's market.
Hope this helps!
Bob

Thanks, Bob. That's a great help. I've seen them for sale in the mid $300s with the description "working... needs some TLC"
I take it they are rather small in stature compared to Victor floor models.

Torjazzer wrote:I take it they are rather small in stature compared to Victor floor models.

41" high x 16" x 19 ¼" according to Frow.

Clay

Thanks, guys. Looks like I might be a cylinder man in the new year.

Torjazzer, all the best to you (re. your decision to go down the cylinder path). Cylinders were the dominant form of commercial recording for the first years of the industry and if you're serious about antique recordings, collecting them is a necessary step. Just know that cylinder machines and cylinders are (speaking generally) more fickle than disc machines and records, for a HOST of reasons (too many to rehearse here). Get started, take it step by step, and know that the end of the road is further away than you can ever imagine.

Now I'm sure that many a Pangloss on this forum might rush in at this point to say "Oh, no! Cylinders are perfect, as is everything in the Antique Phonograph Realm. You just have to buy the right items, make the correct adjustments." Well, that is true. Just know that we are mere mortals and getting to where you want to be does involve missteps and delays--especially if your budget is limited.

The Amberola 30, 50, and 75 are all great performing machines. It's too bad the Edison company did not introduce them earlier. It would have postponed the end a bit. I think this series of machines was an attempt for Edison to hang on the existing customers rather than gain new ones. A comparison of even a midlevel Victrola with the Amberola 75 gives a clue that the target customers were the farming community and blue collar folks. I recently bought an Amberola 30 and I've been playing it every day. It's simple, rugged, and plays great. Remember the advice of previous posts to play only Blue Amberol cylinders or four minute indestructible records. A was Amberol records will be ruined under the Diamond B reproducer. If you are able to attend a regional phono sale, you should be able to sort from a nice selection of cylinders in the $4 to $7 range. Jerry Blais

The more I look at the subject, the more I realize the hidden depths there are; like falling into an expanding fractal. However, this only makes me more intrigued. I think in the new year I'll look for a decent machine. At least I know not to buy the first thing I see. And many thanks for all your help in answering my questions. There are bound to be more.

Being from the Toronto area myself, I think I know of the machine you're interested in. I wanted to make an offer on it when I first saw it but my other (better?) half talked me out of it.

I thought the cabinet might be in need of a clean-up but if it runs well then I'd go for it. I just got an Amberola 50 and have learned a lot about the cylinder machines in just the span of a few weeks. Taking it apart and putting it back together as well as the countless threads on this forum have helped incredibly. Now I just need some cylinders to listen to, I only have an Uncle Josh cylinder which was amusing the first 8 times I listened to it... now, not so much.