The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello All
Wasn't sure where to post this...

Well I know that I've posted here a few times but without really introducing myself. My name is Glenn Gardner and I live in Kansas City, MO. Please be patient, as I'm new to all of this and ask your indulgence with a little background.

When I was about seven years old, we had a WorldBook set of encyclopedias with the Childcraft set. In one of the Childcrafts, I think it was called how things work or something like that. In any case, there was a write up on gramophones, and all I can remember is that I wanted one, so much so that I used to have dreams about them.

Fast forward forty-seven years...late last year, I did it. A childhood dream fulfilled. I bought a nice Victor M and I was bitten (Lord help me!). Two months later, I purchased a very nice Victor III.

Now...I'm thinking about a cylinder phonograph. Since the Edison is probably the most common, I'm leaning in that direction. Edison or something else? What model? Anybody have anything to recommend? Since I am new, I wouldn't really know anything about restoring one myself and I'm not even sure I'd want to do that. I just like using them just to enjoy the records. Any advice to this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Generally, the consensus is that a decent 2-and-4-minute machine, like a Standard model D, is a good place to start. The Amberola 30 is also a good first machine as it it both common and inexpensive, but it limits you to 4-minute celluloid records. Fortunately, 4-minute celluloid records are plentiful!

My suggestion for an Edison phonograph is a Standard that will play two and four minute records or an Amberola, which plays just the Blue Amberol records.

I concur with both of the previous posts... don't buy a 2 minute cylinder machine or you are limited to playing only 2 minute black/brown wax cylinders (which are very fragile) or 2 minute Indestructible cylinders, which are more expensive than 4 minute blue Amberol cylinders and harder to find. Besides, you are limited to very early cylinder recordings, which may be amusing for the first couple of times, but grow old (actually they are already old... ) quickly. There is a broader range of titles on 4 minute cylinders... with the added plus that they are harder to break. EXCEPTION: stay away from 4 minute WAX Amberol cylinders... they have some interesting titles, but break if you look at them too often...

As far as machines go, my favorite is a Columbia BE or BF in 2/4 minute versions. They are arguably more attractive in appearance than an Edison Standard, but a bit more expensive and they don't have pot metal and play very well... A 2/4 minute Edison Standard or Home is very durable and relatively common to find, so less expensive. You will need to find a large horn and crane for all of them, unless you happen to find a Columbia BKT, BET or BFT with a backmount and horn... (more money because of collector demand and desirability).

Good luck, and if possible, buy a machine from someone on the Forum who can help you set it up and use it. Buying from eBay is a crap shoot... you might get lucky, if you know what you are looking for. But usually the seller knows nothing and it's up to you to determine if it works correctly or if not, you are able to fix it.

Thanks so much for your input...please keep it coming!

Glen;
You might want to contact Charles Tyler in Kansas City. He is a long time phonograph collector and a great guy. He is always ready to help fellow collectors and always has a few phonographs for sale. I do not believe that he is on the Forum, but if you are interested, send me a PM and I will give you his contact info.

Bill

To join in the chorus: an Edison Home or Standard with 2/4 minute gearing is your best bet. There's also the Fireside A...

With either of the former, you should check to see what reproducer comes with it. Usually, the older machines came with a Model C (2 minute), and a Model H (4 minute) with the upgrade. If you have one without the other, both are fairly common, and can be found at reasonable prices.

There are reproducers that handle both records, such as the Model K (usually found on the Fireside A), the model O (if the machine has a large, horizontal carriage), or, very rarely, the Model S (if it has the earlier, small carriage).

Bill