The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Eventually I will need to get a four-minute cylinder player. I have two-minute machines, but not a four-minute one. Could I ask people to give me makes and models of some four-minute machines? For example, the Edison Amberola-30, -40, and -50 are all four-minute machines, correct? And all have internal horns? Did Columbia make a four-minute machine? All my Graphophones are two-minute machines.

Hi, Edison Amberola models 30, 50, 75, 1B, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, X were 4 minute machines (playing celluloid surface cylinders only) phonographs. There was never an Amberola 40. Columbia 4 minute gearing can be found on some of their models to play the 4 minute cylinders. Many models of the Edison external horn phonographs can be found with 4 minute gearing and all of the later models of Gem, Standard, Home, Triumph (D and up) had the 4 minute gearing installed at the factory at introduction. The Edison Fireside models (A or B) are nice playing and attractive if you like the external horn Edisons. And they don't have the seized bearing problem afflicted with many of the model D and up Edison models. The Edison Opera is a four minute machine but can be very pricey as are the Amberola 1A, 1B and III models. You should have no problem finding what you want.

Doug

If your on a budget and have space limitations, the Amberola 30 is the way to go and they are very plentiful.

I have no idea of your collecting goals or space limitations but the Amberola 30, 50, and 75 are really good performers at reasonable prices. You would be limited by the fact that you could only play indestructible four minute cylinders (celluloid) and not four minute Edison wax records. Columbia did make horn machines that were two and four minute machines but they are more infrequently found than Edisons. Your most versatile choice would be a 2&4 minute Edison Standard or Home. Jerry Blais

I agree with the comment about the Amberola 30. I would go with any of the Amberola 30, 50 and 75 machines, the reason I prefer these machines is that their are many parts available and they are direct drive and do not have belts that can sometimes slip.


If you have 2 and 4 min. cylinders and want just one machine.....
get a Edison Home, Standard, Fireside, Triumph etc. You can get these machines in 2/4 minute or add a conversion kit. This will allow you to play 2 and 4 minute cylinders. You should also have a Model C and Model H or combination reproducer to use for each type of record.

There are other solutions to the ones above, but they can be expensive, harder to find machines and even to find parts. I have yet to find a 2/4 minute Columbia, but they did make them.

Just a few additional notes:

The Amberola 1A has a motor unique to that model, belt driven, and can play 2 and 4 minute cylinders using the Model M reproducer. It is the only Amberola that can play 2 minute cylinders.

Doug mentioned that the Amberola 1A, 1B, and III can be pricy. I would include the Amberola IV in this august company, as only 100 were made! Note that the Amberola 1B and III can play 4 minute wax cylinders with the Model L reproducer, and can best play BA cylinders with the Diamond A reproducer.

Best wishes, Mark

If you have the funds an Edison Opera can play wax Amberols provided you have a Model L reproducer, but both of these are expensive and Model L's are very hard to find on their own. The Amberola 30 is a great machine, and parts are easy to come by - I use mine a lot - but for a machine to play both you can't go wrong with a Fireside A or a Standard D. The former is a great machine, runs quietly and sounds great. If you want to get the benefit of a larger diaphragm you can get a carriage to take a Diamond reproducer as well.

Good hunting!

Keith