The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everyone,

I've been looking at an Edison C-150 Diamond Disk phonograph on ebay and am wondering whether you think it's a good buy or not. I contacted the seller and he informed me that "the winder is beginning to not catch as quickly" which I assume means there's a problem with the motor. He offered to lower the price from $225 to $120 due to this. I was wondering if you think this is still a good deal, and also how easy it would be to fix the motor. Also where would you find replacement parts for an Edison C-150?

Link to ebay listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261553925115?ss ... 1423.l2649

$120 for a working C150 in decent shape is fine. Parts are readily available because nearly all Diamond Disk motors are virtually identical. I can supply anything you need, up to and including complete works, for very little money.

Are you close enough to pick it up? Shipping a machine like that is really expensive. Jerry

Thankfully the machine is only about an hour and a half away.

Get it! It comes with a lot of records. There is little downside even if it needs a little work.

Records cost at least $1-3 each if you can find them inexpensively.

Worst case scenario, you sell it in five years for $50 less than you paid. One inexpensive dinner out. You will get $50 worth of enjoyment.

If the stylus is bad you're looking at about $100 to have it replaced, so be aware of that. 45 discs is not a bad incentive, so long as they aren't too rough. I recently paid $200 for 2 c-150's and about 25 discs. All discs were good, one machine had a bad stylus. Sold one machine for $200 and got my money back, but I am into the other machine over $150 now with repairs and new stylus (and have not yet gotten the stylus). I won't make much if anything, but I had fun and I learned a few things....Buy it, enjoy it, but don't throw too much money at it as they are a common machine and don't fetch very high prices.

I paid $200 for my C-19 in excellent shape and it is twice the machine the C-150 is.

Good Luck!

Matt

johnny899 wrote:Hello everyone,

I contacted the seller and he informed me that "the winder is beginning to not catch as quickly" which I assume means there's a problem with the motor.

That might mean simply that the winding pawl is gunked up with old grease and not catching the ratchet properly; at worst, the ratchet or pawl might have some damage.

It would certainly help to inspect the machine in person…

Bill

I'd also say go for it. When in good operating condition, these are nice machines and parts are readily available.

Clay