The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Edison B-19 chalet model. I like the size, and ease of moving it. Not the most pretty color of machine and not the best wood being of cheap gum wood.

I have always wanted a good Edison like a Labratory model, one of the dealers that sells antique phonographs machines from time to time at the local antique mall told me the Laboratory model is heavy. I think he said he has a mahogany and a oak one, but sounded like he was maybe interested in selling only the mahogany.

I know that my machine has a one spring motor, but is the Chalet a good machine?
Is there a way to add an additional spring to my motor?

On a acoustic machine the sound quality depends on the size of the horn (all other things being equal). The laboratory model has a bigger horn, hence will sound better. There is no way to add a spring to your model.

The Chalet shares the same horn with the smaller floor models such as the Adam and the Hepplewhite. For a larger horn and motor look for one of the larger machines - but you'll get excellent results from the Chalet.

The heart and soul of any talking machine is the reproducer. Victor used the Exhibition from the pint size VV-IV to the XVIII. If the motor in your Chalet regulates properly and your reproducer is in good shape and you like the size of the table model, you've got all you need. The bigger horn in a Laboratory model is an improvement but they do weigh a ton. Jerry

Victrolacollector wrote: Not the most pretty color of machine and not the best wood being of cheap gum wood.

I thinks it's quite attractive for cheap wood...especially if it's been given enough love

I think your b-19 is probably pretty good. However, if you have the money, space, and lifting ability why not add the Labratory model? I have an Oak c-250 and it sounds very good. Very heavy though.

Phototone wrote:On a acoustic machine the sound quality depends on the size of the horn (all other things being equal). The laboratory model has a bigger horn, hence will sound better. There is no way to add a spring to your model.

I've never owned a B-19, but on the other contemporary models, changing the single spring to a double spring is a simple matter of swapping the springs and using a different (smaller) support bracket. Would this not work on the B-19?

Yes, you can do the same thing for the Chalet to give it a double spring motor. These are great Edisons for portability , for instance taking it outside on the porch or out on the boat or a picnic. Put a Dance or an Edisonic on one and you have a very powerfull phonograph.

I have a Chalet and it is nice because it is direct drive (no belt) and easy to move around but so is my S19 IT HAS WHEELS
Kevan

I have B-19 and like it. If you have a good reproducer, the single spring motor and smaller horn get the job done just fine. However, I did replace the original 2-weight governor with a much later shock-proof governor and got steadier speed regulation.