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I just finished reconditioning an Edison Home model 'B' (I think) cylinder phonograph. It is serial number 252391. The thing that has me confused is the speed adjust knob. I didn't think model 'B' Homes had the speed control outside, that they were all inside, yet this one is outside and it looks factory made. Any thoughts?

Thanks! Cliff

More likely than not the original owner(s) were playing brown wax as well as black wax cylinders. Having to unscrew the crank, lift up the motorboard and adjust the speed whenever they wanted to switch from slower rotation brown wax to faster rotation black wax was too much of a hassle. So someone proficient at drilling the speed adjust hole did the work then a speed adjust screw was secured from model A parts which I'm sure were readily available and voila...done. No more hassle to adjust the speed. I've seen this done on a couple of other Edison phonographs as well. This has the Edison Home cabinet with later 'Edison' decal so it's unlikely it was a super early model B Home that was in a transition phase. It's also possible that the original owners enjoyed home recording on Edison blanks and a need to frequently adjust the speed for optimal recording/playback based on the timing/length of the recording was desired.

Doug

Hi Cliff.
I'll echo what Doug said. This was likely a custom modification. This is the 4th I've recorded. #252453 had a Lyon & Healy tag, top mounted speed control and ICS style repeater to boot! The other two machines were much later in production and both were set up in cygnet configurations. Each of these (like yours) were neatly done and appeared to either be a factory or dealer modification. Certainly a top mounted speed control would be handy if one were doing a lot of recording. I notice that your speed adjust screw has a slightly beveled top edge that matches the one on my later Standard C ICS machine. An interesting machine. I wonder how many more had this modification?
Regards,
Martin

I have a Home model B with the speed control through the bedplate as well. I'll post a few photos shortly.

Wes

Wes, That's an interesting speed control on yours. If I didn't see the pictures underneath the motor board I would have presumed it was simply a bed plate lift knob that someone added! Thanks for sharing.

Doug

Doug, it's definitely a little different than the one Cliff has pictured, but nonetheless, interesting and also a factory looking upgrade cleverly done. It's the only one I have ever found.

Regards, Wes

Thanks for all the responses. A top mounted speed control does seem more convenient, I could see why some folks would alter the machine to allow for that.

Here are a couple pics of the underside of the speed adjust knob on mine.

Cliff

Looks like both have used two different methods of getting to the speed adjustment, but both being effective in getting the job done.

Wes

I also have a model B with the adjustment knob outside of the bed plate. In my case, I have the cygnet horn which would have to be removed in order to lift the bed plate to do a speed adjustment. It was just easier to drill the hole and place the adjustment knob where it is now.

Adding a speed control is an interesting concept and I can see why someone might have done it. I have often wondered if Edison removed the external speed control a bit too early in the game because there were still occasional variations in cylinder speeds after this time. Interestingly, the external control was left on the Triumph. I own a D and D2 which both have an external control but I don't know how long after that they kept it. This can be a handy feature even when playing some dubbed Blue Amberols. I have a couple, both early and late which play very fast at 160 rpm and need to be adjusted by ear.

Jim