Edison S-19 new disc find and praddling on thought process

[DGPros]

I have been noticing a common Edison S-19 for weeks on craigslist. Yeah sure I'd check it out, but I already have an A-250. Who the heck needs another phonograph, let alone another Diamond Disc Machine, unless it's an upgrade of course. Where would I put it? Hahaha. I already have 3 uprights, it would be foolish to purchase another, especially one as common as the S-19. Wow, I can't believe I saw 2 other phonographs at great prices right after being posted, and they're sold already! Hmmm. Look, the S-19 has the drop down door, pretty cool. Oh, look it's filled with DD's and they're in bags. IN BAGS!! They MUST be in good shape. It's an hour away, to far. Wow, think, I could do my own tone test with the A-250 and the S19. Ladies and gentlemen, a single spring 150 horn vs. a dbl spring 250 horn. Oh, and then I can compare it to my Sonora and my Victor L door. That would be interesting. Boy you're such a geek, Those DD's you own already don't even sound very good.A couple sound decent. Hmm Maybe there are better titles in there, after all, they ARE in bags. It may have a muff ball which your early A-250 doesn't have. You've never owned one of those. Heck, you can't even tell if the S-19 HAS a muff ball. Maybe just throw a price at them and see if they bite. Where would I put it if I bought it? I could clean up the backroom in the basement, it really should be cleaned up anyway. It's Oak, your others are Mahogany. You don't even know if the S-19 works!! It could be a fun project, after all it's not THAT expensive. How much fun would it be to go through those DD's and find some 52000 titles. Yeah right. That'll happen. I heard those later discs sound AMAZING! Right, 100 year old technology sounding great, sure. Let me see what the Frow book says again.....and again.....and again. Ah the hell with it. Pick a price you feel comfortable with and roll the dice. It will be exciting! They probably wouldn't except your offer anyway.It's ONLY an hour away. Sent a text with a price and wait. Just make sure you don't budge from it, after all you REALLY don't need this. "Sorry, we don't accept, but we will come down a few bucks." No, stick to your guns, you had a price point, let it go. There will be other opportunities. I pass. Oh well. 2 hrs later, phone buzzes. A new text. "My husband changed my mind, so we will accept your offer." GREAT, I'll be there tomorrow! What did I just do? I've only seen 3 photos, from a distance, and I don't know if it works? You're such an idiot. You don't need another machine, especially a lesser machine than you have already. It's a good price even if it's a project piece, plus you SHOULD be able to get $2 per disc if you wanted to recoup some money. Right?

Success!I am happy to say the discs are amazingly clean and only a few with issues. I have listened to a few of the 52000 series and I was shocked how well they actually do sound. I have cataloged my new additions with a **. I would love to know which titles I should listen to 1st. The S-19 does work pretty well but needs a cleaning. No tone test yet. My week of tortured inner monologue was a success after all. The 52000 series I now own are.

52029 R) Lindbergh (Vernon Dalhart)**
L) Lucky Lindy
52082 R) My Lord’s Gonna Move This Wicked Race(Hann’s Emperors)**
L) What Band is This (Hann’s Emperor)
52095 R) My Blue Ridge Mountain Home(Vernon Dalhart) Scratched to Hell
L) When the Moon shines Down Upon the Mountain Very Clean**
52259 R) The Ranger’s song (Lon Adams)
L) Roustabouts’ song (Lon Adams)
52310 R) Old King Cole(Green Grass)**
L) Old King Cole(Pipe O’brien)
52347 R) Meditation (Frank Lucas)**
L) Branch Brook Park march (Frank Lucas)
52384 R) The bum song (Eddie Kirk)**
L) Hallelujah I’m a Bum (Eddie Kirk)
52472 R) The Bum Song No. 2(Vernon Dalhart) **
L) The Big Rock Candy Mountains (Vernon Dalhart)
52555 R) Gold and Silver Waltz (Edison Concert Orchestr) Break on outer edge(not music portion)**
L) Missing Label

A few questions. What is 52555 L) missing label. The S-19 has a darker stained top on the lid with a groove on the outer edge. I'm guessing it's been refinished and or a replaced since I have read nothing about a darker stain/groove on the lid. Not original cloth is about the worst thing I see so far.Oh and thanks for allowing me to praddle on about my phonograph addiction. When I speak to "the others" about phonos, they just roll their eyes. They just don't understand........Now, time to clean out that room.

[CDBPDX]

You have made a fine score! I would definitely listen to the 2 BUM SONGS first. I have a large collection of bum/hobo songs and do not have these. Lucky guy!

The S-19 is a good acquisition, too.

Congratulations on finding a stash of 52000 series Diamond Discs! I believe the first electrically recorded was # 52089. Those are quite hard to find.

The L side of 53555 is SLEEPING BEAUTY by Concert Orchestra.

Cliff

[alang]

Congrats to your new fix. And some nice records included as well. 52555-L is listed in the database as "SLEEPING BEAUTY (Pjotr I. Chajkovskij): Valse", Artist "Concert (O)" (the same as 52555-R). Hope that helps.

Andreas

[larryh]

I have a S19 in a medium oak waxed look. It can sound very good in the right location. It doesn't have the depth the 250 horns have but for a small machine its impressive anyway.

Larry H

[DGPros]

Thanks for the info on missing title. The only song I new about was Big Rock Candy Mountain. I was excited to find that one. Most of the discs look brand new with slight wear on labels if anything. I need to adjust the reproducer on the S-19. Seems to be riding a bit high which causes it to miss some notes. I have done a cursory listen but hope to spend some time this weekend with it.

[FloridaClay]

All but the first two of the 52,000s you have on the list are electrically recorded and electrically recorded discs in decent condition have an enhanced value. (Info I have is that electrics start with 52,089.) And the first one is nice to have even though not electric.

Clay