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I have spent the last few weeks compiling parts for my Edison Standard "B" and I now have everything I need to start on it. This phonograph is in rough but decent shape. I need to repair (reglue) the cabinet base and part of the lid but the cabinet is presentable as is. The nickle plated parts can probably be cleaned and shined up but will never be perfect. The biggest issue is the base plate. It's missing a fair amount of paint and while there's no heavy rust, it really is looking sad. This is my first acoustic phonograph. What do people usually do with these? Do they restore them or just clean them up as best they can and preserve them?

The degree of restoration comes down to what you want it to be. Many of the folks on this forum have done extensive restorations and end up with absolutely beautiful museum quality machines for their efforts. Other folks are content to merely have a clean, good working cylinder player. Decide what you want from your machine and do that. If you later decide you want to do more, then do more.

Congratulations on your acquisition!

Cliff

As a Standard B is not a particularly rare machine, it would be a good "guinea pig" to practice restoration techniques, if you're so inclined. It's your call.

Bill

The above advice is very good. The Edison Standard is a good one to learn restoration techniques. Jerry Blais

I agree with all the above comments. I will just add that it can also be a matter of cost versus the worth. If it's a sentimental family piece...then it doesn't matter the cost to restore. However, if it's a $300 piece (for example), you don't want to put $600 into it.

Another piece of advice when posting questions like this on our forum.......post pics for us to make proper suggestions and advice. As they say....a picture is worth a thousand words.. .
Good luck with your new project... .

Yes, pictures please! Bedplates can sometimes look awful and still be brought back without having to strip and repaint.

Martin

Sounds like I lucked into the right model to start out with! I only paid $5 (yes, five dollars) for this thing and with the parts I've bought I'm still into it for less than $200. I'm pretty sure I now have everything and I've run it just enough to determine that it does play but it will have to be gone through before it sees any real use. Here are some photos. The bed plate does have some rust but it seems to be largely surface rust and isn't pitting the metal too badly: The base of the cabinet has come unglued and someone put several screws in it to try and hold it together and keep it attached to the cabinet: The cabinet itself is good although the decal is worn: The crank is pretty much shot: The lid isn't bad but there is damage to the veneer on the top edges and I'll have to reglue the sides: The motor works well as it is and is running at the correct speed: Plated parts may clean up some but would look much better replated: I'm not opposed to fully restoring it. I'd need some guidance to make sure I do it accurately. I'm not one to paint the bed plate hot pink and coat the cabinet in polyurethane. I have done several phonographs from the 40's and 50's and I try to restore them accurately without over restoring them. Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated!

Oh yeah, I suppose I should mention the state of the horn. It was included in my $5 purchase so that was a bonus! It will need a lot of work but it seems restorable. There are large sheet metal screws holding it together and someone painted the outside green. The green paint seeped into the seams and can be seen on the inside.

Well, that ought to keep you busy. It looks like you could take it in stages. Looking at the bedplate, it looks like the lines and corner decorations are toast. I'd be tempted to strip the bedplate and re-paint. I'd try to retain the original signature under the straight edge if that part isn't missing too much or very rusty. (What little I could see looks OK-ish.) Since all of the paint & decorations/decals get coated with shellac, you'll be surprised how well the old stuff will blend with the new. Nice machine and worthy of some love.

Regards,
Martin

You got a bargain, but that being said, in my opinion, the only way to proceed with this is a complete restoration... IF you are mechanically inclined and able to do the restoration itself. Otherwise, if you have to pay someone for restoration, you will have too much money in this... It will be a labor of love, but very rewarding and educational if you are up to it. It can definitely be restored to look like a very nice machine... As previously mentioned the bedplate and painted parts need to be stripped to bare metal and repainted and all rust removed from plated parts.

PS: don't use odd restoration techniques (like the previous owner who put screws in the horn), as it will make your effort completely worthless. Ask questions on the forum, since there are many knowledgeable people here who can help you if you are unsure how to proceed. Good luck...