The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It runs great, has a low serial number, and while the woodwork looks beat, it's structurally sound. The grill is completely shot but ironically the fabric is in very good condition.
It appears a previous owner painted it white, and another stripped it. There are some pretty significant gouges in the lid.
What would you do to make this machie more presentable?
Thank you.

I'd re-veneer it. Walnut?

gramophone-georg wrote:I'd re-veneer it. Walnut?

the B-19 was available only in gumwood, either with a light ("naturel") or darker ("rouge") finish.

Bill

Lucius1958 wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:I'd re-veneer it. Walnut?

the B-19 was available only in gumwood, either with a light ("naturel") or darker ("rouge") finish.

Bill

Thanks Bill- wasn't sure from the photos.

This might be the ticket:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wood-Veneer-Red ... Sw0UdXrKym

Just a thought.

First question: is the veneer actually missing or is the finish just stripped? Can't tell exactly from the pics...

If the veneer is missing, then re-veneering is part of the process. Either way, I would remove all of the mechanics from the case and start a complete restoration. It looks like there are traces of finish on parts of the case, so it would need to be thoroughly stripped. Once that is done, a complete sanding of the case will improve the gouges, etc. Then staining and refinishing would bring it back...

If the gouges are too deep, they can be filled before refinishing... just a thought.

Bought this B19 years ago in pieces, veneer falling off, grill missing, hinge section split and missing.
Put new veneer on the top, rest was stripped and re-stained, dings/dents were fixed with my burn-in kit. Sprayed
with shellac base coat and final with lacquer both aniline dye tinted. It has really gotten hard obtaining 1/16 inch wood backed
veneer. The machine is actually darker than the photo - my camera is junk..

At any rate your machine definitely looks restorable and well worth the effort.
Bill K

The B-19 was a cheaply made machine. The sides are made up of narrow strips of gum wood with random grain patterns glued together to make a panel. The finish usually has clearly visible drips.

Mechanically and acoustically they are exactly the same as every other small Diamond Disc machine.

The machine you show is pretty far gone IMHO. It is not worth parting out because Diamond Disc parts are so common they are virtually free. I would be tempted to use the case as a sort of experiment and make it whatever you want it to be. It's already been through the wringer so whatever you do will be an improvement.

Good luck and keep us posted.

52089 wrote:The B-19 was a cheaply made machine. The sides are made up of narrow strips of gum wood with random grain patterns glued together to make a panel. The finish usually has clearly visible drips.

Mechanically and acoustically they are exactly the same as every other small Diamond Disc machine.

The machine you show is pretty far gone IMHO. It is not worth parting out because Diamond Disc parts are so common they are virtually free. I would be tempted to use the case as a sort of experiment and make it whatever you want it to be. It's already been through the wringer so whatever you do will be an improvement.

Good luck and keep us posted.

You mean I wasted all those cold winter months in a warm garage restoring this cheap machine ? I'm crushed, think I'll have two Scotches tonight....

Bill K

The parts are not worth that much, Edison parts are almost give aways. I own a nice B-19, I love it! What you need to do is strip it down, may have to fill gouges and sand etc. If veneer is missing you will need to replace the veneer.

When it is all finished just stain, coat with shellac or varnish. Clean up all the hardware.

Then reinstall everything.

Make sure you send the Diamond Disc reproducer out for a rebuild, have the stylus checked and replaced if necessary. A bad stylus will destroy your records.

Wind it up put on a Edison Diamond Disc and listen to some great music.

52089 wrote:The B-19 was a cheaply made machine. The sides are made up of narrow strips of gum wood with random grain patterns glued together to make a panel. The finish usually has clearly visible drips.

Mechanically and acoustically they are exactly the same as every other small Diamond Disc machine.

The machine you show is pretty far gone IMHO. It is not worth parting out because Diamond Disc parts are so common they are virtually free. I would be tempted to use the case as a sort of experiment and make it whatever you want it to be. It's already been through the wringer so whatever you do will be an improvement.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Agreed! The parts are very common, do not wear very bad which pretty much renders them worthless from a monetary standpoint. However, because Edison parts are so interchangeable it makes Edison's nice machines.