Edison BC-34 with No Speed Adjustment??

[CDBPDX]

Brought home an Edison BC-34 today from 1923 or so. Regreased the spring and motor, adjusted the play in the governor shaft, and it now runs smooth as glass. Also came with some hoppin' paper label Diamond Discs!

Very happy about this acquisition, but there is no speed adjustment option on the turntable surface. Doesn't look like there ever was one - it was made that way. It is adjustable from the underside, not too convenient when playing a record, though. Any idea what the reason for that was?

Thanks! CDB

[Lucius1958]

What is the serial # on your machine?

I have an early version from 1922, serial # 4585, and it has the exterior speed control. It would be interesting to find out how late that feature continued.

As far as I can see, it may have been a way for the Company to cut costs (by not having to drill a hole in the bedplate): as Edison discouraged the use of lateral adapters on their machines at the time, they must have dispensed with the external speed control, and had the speed set in the factory (or by the dealer) at 80 rpm.

It is much like the situation with the cylinder machines in 1905: they figured that nobody was going to play the old, slower brown wax records...

Bill

[CDBPDX]

What is the serial # on your machine?


Bill

This machine is serial # 29130, mid 1923 or so. Apparently, only about 52000 of this model were produced, though I don't know how many models had this particular turntable version.

CDB

[phonogal]

I have one with Serial # SM-4121 and it has the speed control on the bed plate. Also has the 10-12 buttons but I don't think they do anything?

[CDBPDX]

I have one with Serial # SM-4121 and it has the speed control on the bed plate. Also has the 10-12 buttons but I don't think they do anything?

Mine also has these buttons. This feature seems to be an attempt to make it easier to start at exactly the right spot for 10" or 12" records. There is a metal tab sicking out horizontally from the top left of the horn that acts as a stop when you push down one of the buttons. The buttons lower a piece of metal that the tab on the horn bumps against when it swings out.

I don't know why there would be a feature like this as I have never seen a 12" Diamond Disc, but there must be some 12" disc that Edison wanted to accomodate.

CDB

[phonogal]

I think maybe the long play discs were 12"?

[phonogfp]

I think maybe the long play discs were 12"?

The 40 Minute Long Play Records were indeed 12", but the 24 Minute issues were 10". Since the BC-34 wasn't equipped to play either of them, and predated the Long Play Records (introduced in 1926), it's kind of a mystery why the 10"/12" buttons appear on a strong seller like the BC-34. It suggests that the Phonograph Division was preparing to issue 12" Diamond Discs to the public but for some reason they never materialized.

George P.

[CDBPDX]

So, the only 12" records available when this was made were to be played at 78 rpm, yet the machine does not have a convenient means of adjusting the speed. A paradox, no?

[briankeith]

See this older thread "Nice Edison DD Console - Allentown, PA Craigslist" we discuss this machine and the buttons.