The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

New guy to this forum and just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I currently own two talking machines. My first is a Cheney type 1 Sheraton model we bought off of Craigslist. Very good condition and plays well however I did not get the Edison adaptor for it. Did get the two needles for the adaptor and I do have an extra 78 reproducer for it I found at a local junk shop that I gave $5.00 for. Have an original key along with 3 original needle envelopes, the envelope the original key came in and the box that the reproducers and two needles came in for Edison and Pathé records(?). Paid $150.00.
The second I just recently bought. It is an Edison DD C250 in Mahogany. It has the round medallion inside stating that it is a "Laboratory Model". It has the Duncan stop with what appears to be an original battery (long dead of course). It came with the record duster, a small glass jar of Edison grease and a thing that looks like a guitar pick made of felt. I have no idea what that is. We got 37 records with it. It has the two pull out drawers for records and it has all the numbered cardboard dividers and the drawer index cards which are filled out and match the records. There are approximately a dozen original record sleeves as well. Also got the original key, owners manual and a catalog of records (reproductions) available which is dated 1916. Paid $320.00 at an antique shop. I did not get a 78 reproducer with it though which brings me to my questions. Did those always come with both reproducers or was that an option? The Edison plays well but seems a little subdued and not as clear and loud as those I hear on Youtube. Who is the best and most reliable at rebuilding Edison reproducers, or, where can I get a good quality kit to do it myself? Thanks for any help and I hope to enjoy this hobby, as well as collecting and restoring vintage radios, for years to come.

Welcome to the asylum...

You do understand that this is a mental illness of sorts...

fmblizz

Yess.....I have two serious mental illnesses now. It all started with the Cheney, just something nice and unique to have in the house and maybe play once in a while to wow our friends....then I thought a nice old tube radio would be cool too and compliment the phonograph.................now I have around 13 radios, 4 large console models, and two phonographs. My garage is half full with in-progress radio projects......just when I say "enough until I get a few more running".....another one pops up calling my name......

At least I'm not hanging out in taverns, or gambling.

Welcome Groundhog74. I don't have answers to your questions. Just wanted to welcome you here.

Steve

That is a beautiful Edison. Congratulations and welcome.

Welcome to the Forum. Like you, I am a sucker for a nice upright and have a hard time saying no. There is always room for one more. Jerry

Thanks fmblizz, Andersun, Torjazzer, Jerry B. I am fortunate/unfortunate in that I have a job where I am usually able to spend a lot of time in the interwebs universe. So, I tend to ramble on to an extent. Hopefully won't bore anyone with long, drawn out posts. I used to belong to a few other forums dealing with other hobbies. Quickly got tired of the chest pounding, "my stuff's better than your stuff 'cause I paid more" mentality which included a few outright threats when I disagreed with someone, or raised the BS flag concerning one of their posts which was misleading, incorrect or just plain assinine. The antique radio forums and Talking Machine forums are a nice change as everyone seems genuinely interested in others, very helpful and friendly. Good people all around.

Welcome!

Looks like you did well with your first two acquisitions, especially the Edison outfit with all the accompanying goodies. The C250 is a very good machine.

One suggestion for a good job with rebuilding your reproducers would be George Vollema, of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph http://www.victroladoctor.com/ George is probably also the best source in the country for original parts for antique phonographs. He has warehouses full of parts machines. Has some reproduction parts also. He has done a number of repairs for me (reproducer and motor overhauls mostly) and I have always been pleased with the result.

As far as I know, lateral cut record reproducers were not original equipment with Diamond Disc machines. Several aftermarket companies offered them, though.

You will also find that the quality of Diamond Disc recordings varied greatly over the years with changes in the compound used to make them, work-arounds due to WW I materials shortages, etc. The very best sounding ones are from the relatively brief period in the 20s when Edison shifted from acoustic to electric recording until the company went under in 1929.

Clay

Welcome.

The guitar pick may be just that. They do make them that way (usually for playing the bass I believe).

Hi and welcome to the forum. The guy's on here are great,I've not been on here long only a year or so but I've had so much help from so many people,a real nice bunch. (By the way nice one Jerry!)