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Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:11 am
by doctor t
Anyone know what this is? Good deal at $225?
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:44 am
by VintageTechnologies
The Edison "Baby Console" BC-34 was available from May 1922 through August 1927. It initially sold for $175.00, by October 1926 the price dropped to $155.00. It was also known as "The Company Leader" and "Star of the Line". Public demand was so great that within two months demand outstripped supply.
The price is probably fair if the diamond needle is still good. If it does not visibly scar a record after repeated playings, it is probably alright. In my opinion, the only way to accurately evaluate the diamond is examination under a 100x microscope, but most people are not equipped to do that.
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:01 pm
by 52089
With a little patience and a little luck, you'll find a better machine for about the same price. You'll also find out quickly that collectors mostly avoid the console style machines because they take up too much floor space.
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:53 pm
by EarlH
Those are the kinds of machines that the electric records usually turn up in. At least that's been my experience.
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:38 am
by Lucius1958
EarlH wrote:Those are the kinds of machines that the electric records usually turn up in. At least that's been my experience.
Mine didn't include any electrics, but it yielded a fair amount of good dance band records...
If it's near enough to pick up (and you have a vehicle big enough to hold it), if the stylus is good, the finish is acceptable, and if you can negotiate with the seller for a better price, it would make a good first DD machine.
Bill
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:54 am
by FloridaClay
I'd offer $200 if it plays well, the finish is in decent condition, and you have the room for it. While not infallible, a quick way to see if the stylus is in fairly decent condition is to let the reproducer go into the smooth area adjacent to the label of the disc while the machine is running and see if it leaves any marks.
Clay
Re: Edison Console Victrola?
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:39 pm
by doctor t
Thanks everybody! I'm leaning against, given the room it would take up, but it's nearby and I may go take a look tomorrow. If I do, I'll try the stylus test you suggest and report back - thanks!
But I may save my pennies for the Wayne NJ show, which I'm planning on driving down to from Boston with the big SUV.
- T