The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I have an Edison Standard model B that I picked up six years ago and have never done anything with it. I can't decide if I should strip the finish off and redo it or not. If you have a look at the pictures you will see that the banner decal is thin and that part of the name Edison has worn off. Also if you look at the lid someone must have spilled something on the top that has completely removed part the finish. I dislike the thought of removing the nice dark original finish but what else can I do. Here is what I think are my options.
#1 Strip and refinish the case and apply a new Gregg Cline decal.
#2 Keep the original finish on the lower case. Cut out the name Edison from a new decal and try to piece it into the old decal. Then buy a new lid off EBay that still has the nice dark finish to match the lower case. Then sell off the old lid.
Any ideas or opinions!
thanks
Pete

Hi:

I would try and piece in a new Greg Cline decal if possible. Some collectors may say leave it some may say not. It just erks me to see a bad decal.

The finish itself doesn't look too bad other than the spot on the lid. I would clean it good and maybe do a little touchup. Agree with Victrolacollector's comment about trying to restore the decal.

In my opinion, keeping a piece original and just cleaning and touching up blemishes is the best option. Unless, it is a total basketcase. You can always upgrade machines when a better one is available but it is only original once.

I do not think I would be happy with the results of trying to patch a new decal to an old decal. The size may be off. The color would surely make it look patched. I remember seeing a thread with a talented touch-up of a damaged decal. I did a quick search and did not find it. Maybe some has a better memory of this.

I would attempt to get the cover to look better by re-working the existing finish. Whatever the result that would become the back side of the lid, rarely to be seen.

Also, to me, the lid's damage looks to be the result of someone placing on and the subsequent removal of a banner decal. By the finish do you think the lid and the base were a marriage?

James.

Roaring20s wrote: to me, the lid's damage looks to be the result of someone placing on and the subsequent removal of a banner decal. By the finish do you think the lid and the base were a marriage?

James.

I agree with you there: there is a suggestion of lettering on the lid.

As for a 'marriage', I don't know of Standards ever having a decal on the lid…

Bill

I bought a Columbia BE at Union a couple of years ago that had a poor,very thin decal on it. Greg Cline was nice enough to actually place one of his decals over the old one and it turned out great. I am very happy with how it turned out. This might be an option for you.

I might be the only person who thinks so, but I say go with option 1.

As long as the bed-plate is in good shape and will match a newly refurbished case,
I would strip off the decal, remove as much of the finish as possible with Alcohol, then stain,
fill, and re-shellac.

It's your machine and you should do whatever you think is best for not only preservation purposes but
also your own personal preference. It's not like you're going to strip off the finish and paint it in the
stars and stripes! (at least I hope you weren't considering this).

I always try to leave a machine original, but we all have different cut-offs where we think a machine is
a candidate for a refurb. With the damaged lid, I would refinish because a lid from another machine
may not match the aging and patina of the case, and the lid you sell off will likely be refinished anyway, so what
exactly are you saving? A standard case?

Perhaps one of the forum members who are inclined to save the case could donate (or sell) you one which
is in greater need of refinishing. Then you could refinish your damaged lid to match it, and resell your case to them.

Just my two cents and probably worth much less (in Canadian funds of course).

It's Its' History ! Its over 100 years old and in nice condition , Just clean it up ! There are hundreds of over restored machines out there , you could even invent a little history of your own with it displayed as it is " this is where my Great Aunt Maude crashed into the machine with her stiletto in the 1920's she broke the only jazz cylinder we had and slashed the transfer " make someone laugh at least

soundgen wrote:It's Its' History ! Its over 100 years old and in nice condition , Just clean it up ! There are hundreds of over restored machines out there , you could even invent a little history of your own with it displayed as it is " this is where my Great Aunt Maude crashed into the machine with her stiletto in the 1920's she broke the only jazz cylinder we had and slashed the transfer " make someone laugh at least

It made me laugh!