The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just picked up the complete, and working, motor and top works for an amberola 1B. There is no case or horn, just the works.

What would be the best thing to do with the works?

Should I try to locate a case? I don't know if I would ever find a usable case for it.

Should I just try to sell the works?

Should I try to convert a case from a diamond disk machine to house the works? I don't want to make a frankenphone out of what would be a very nice and pretty rare machine.

Should I try to use the works to fit something else if a case becomes available, ie. Amberola III or Opera(concert)?

Its nice to have saved the works; but, now what to do? Any comments or ideas would be appreciated!

I would try to be patient and wait for the correct cabinet. They turn up occasionally. I know it's tempting to convert an A or B 250 into an Amberola. If you did a really good job, you'd have something that was very close to being correct. The problem lies with future owners who become sellers. In todays dollars a nice mahogany Amberola 1-B is worth around $3500. Your conversion machine would be worth considerably less even though you'd have a large investment in both time and money. You would have something with a value around $2000 and I assume you'd disclose everything to a potential buyer. If it ended up in an auction house who knows what would be disclosed. Thanks for thinking about my opinion on this issue.

Jerry Blais

Here's an idea that would not trouble me if you can't wait to buy an empty 1-B cabinet. I'd talk to an artist that works with wood. With your ideas and his talent, create a custom cabinet that you love. Leave the 1-B ID tag on the mechanism. Go ahead and convert the horn attachment to accept an Opera style horn. You should consider having a custom horn made. Also consider having a small ID tag with your name added to the cabinet. I think you'd create something that most of us would enjoy seeing and possibly owning. Jerry Blais

Am I the only guy with an opinion? Jerry

I bought a fake Opera some years ago which was built up out of an Amberola, and am putting parts together to assemble an Amberola 1B. I ham having an incredibly difficult time finding a proper horn, and am almost regretting pulling the fake Opera apart. It certainly played nicely!

It will fit in a Triumph case pretty easily, and those are pretty easy to come by. You could put it in that until a more suitable cabinet turns up, and cobble up some sort of horn arrangement so you can enjoy it.

I think a Triumph case has a crank hole that will not accommodate the Amberola/Opera mechanism. At least take some measurements first. Jerry

No, that's what I'm talking about - the crank on the 1B lines up with the hole. I've got a 1B mech sitting temporarily in one - as a convenient storage base - out in the garage and will try to verify it this weekend.

When I set it there, I remember noticing the convenient alignment and thinking one could make a kludge fake Opera sort of easily in such fashion.

A fellow collector here in the UK has made up a machine from genuine Amberola 1A parts, apart from the Diamond A reproducer which is a modern reproduction.

The mechanism and internal horn are mounted in a simple home made box (I nearly said crate!) with no lid. An elbow has been made which allows the internal horn to be disconnected and an external horn fitted, either the Music Master from his Opera or the 11 panel Cygnet from his Triumph.

Comparing the sound from the three different horns is an interesting experience.

How difficult would it be to convert a b250 cabinet to a correct amberola 1b?