The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,

I recently bought a fairly nice Silvertone floor model, and without having had much chance to research anything, I think it might be a Model VIII. Anyway, I also recently found that my cousin's wife has a similar Silvertone machine (with a bit more ornate cabinet) that has been in her family since it was brand new. We were comparing notes, and I saw that that their machine has a small "gooseneck" adapter that apparently can be added to the tone arm to permit playing Edison, Pathé and other vertical cut records. I got the setup instruction brochure with my machine, and in it, it briefly described the "convertible tone arm" and states that separate instructions for its use were also included with the machine when new, but I don't have a copy of those instructions. There is a "socket" behind the motor board in both machines where I believe this adapter can be stored when not in use, only I did not get the adapter with my machine.

Can anybody tell me much about these "convertible tone arms" and whether they really worked very well or not? Today I found an ad on eBay where someone was selling a Silvertone, and they included an image of the tone arm instructions, though not a complete image. It looks to me like the gooseneck just changed the angle at which the convention needle would oontact the record. I can't imagine this was the best way to play a Diamond Disc or other vertical format record. Has anybody used one of these, or does anybody know anything about them? I will appreciate anything anyone can tell me. Thanks so much!

Jerry K

Jerry,
I have a Silvertone with the convertible attachment, and have used it to play Pathé and Edison Diamond Discs. It will do a decent job on Pathé, but not as good as my Brunswick; I don't own a Pathé machine. The Edison Discs play ok, but not as well at all as on an Edison Phonograph or a Brunswick. The weight of the tone arm may be a little too much for the Edison's, and there is no way to adjust the weight of the sound box.
The adapter gooseneck turns the Silvertone sound box so it faces forward and angled back arcoss the grooves for vertical play back.
In order to play Edisons somewhat safely, a shank mounted diamond must be used in the sound box, and the discs that I have played were not damaged.
Pathé discs require a shank mounted sapphire for the sound box, and it will not damage the record.
I can post some pics if you like later.
Hope this helps, Mike

Jerry,
Here are some pics of the different positions of the Silvertone sound box.
Mike

Those are very nice pictures - but in practice you used one reproducer and just changed the gooseneck, having two reproducers is VERY convenient though. BTW- the Victor Exhibition and #2 reproducers fit the arm just fine.

I've found that my Silvertone plays Pathé and other vertical cut shellac records very well when using the correct stylus.
Using a jeweled point it plays Edison discs passably well but I wouldn't use it for them- the Edisons are less forgiving of arm problems than shellac.

estott,

The Victor Exhibition, and Victrola #2 on the Silvertone, what a great idea. This never occurred to me.
Thank you, I will be trying that.
Mike

Thanks for the information guys, and especially for the great photos Mike. So there were special stylii used for playing vertical cut records - that makes a lot of sense, and eases my concerns about using a needle that way! I have been wondering what the two small holes in the "storage socket" (as I'll call it, for lack of a better name) are for - apparently for storing those special stylii when not in use in the sound box?

Mike, could you possibly post a photo that clearly shows the adapter when it is installed? Like a view showing what's behind the sound box? The photos you posted show the working position of the sound box very well, but I'd like to see how things actually lash up behind it.

And also, does anyone happen to have (or know where I could buy) a convertible tone arm instruction sheet?

Thank you all so much for your help.

Jerry K

Jerry,
Here are a few more pics of the Silvertone adapters. The first three pics are of the vertical adapter, and the last one is the lateral adapter. You have it right, the Edison and Pathé stylus would be kept in the holes in the plate. Hope this helps.
Mike

Here is mine. a very delicate design.

Mike,

Thanks for these great detail photos! They really tell the story. Now I guess I'll just have to work on tracking down the vertical adapter and a stylus or two!

Thanks once again to all for the helpful info, advice and pictures.

Jerry

It isn't too hard to find sapphire ball styluses, but for the amount of money you pay for the jeweled point ones you could buy an Edison disc machine.