The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings. This machine is for sale a little over an hour from me, and I am seriously considering taking a look at it. I know the A-V is a desirable machine. I don't know if there's any wiggle room on the price (I feel the machine alone isn't worth the asking price), but they claim to have "over 25" cylinders with it. I'm troubled by what appears to be a stripped finish (I'm not keen on trying to replicate the original finish), and trivial as it seems, it appears the bedplate screws are missing which leads one to speculate why. I wanted to get the forum members' input before I part with cash for a subpar Amberola. Many thanks, and here's the link: https://visalia.craigslist.org/atq/6059806155.html

Nice looking machine, not in tip top condition. I wonder about the mechanical condition. Looks like someone did a lot of work on the cabinet exterior but did nothing to the motor.

Seems that you could get a very nice machine for $550, this might not be it. Best way to tell is go look at and listen to it, then decide if you want to spend that much for it.

The Amberola V is an excellent choice for a phonograph and a good one will bring a lot of enjoyment!

Cliff

CDBPDX wrote:Nice looking machine, not in tip top condition. I wonder about the mechanical condition. Looks like someone did a lot of work on the cabinet exterior but did nothing to the motor.

Seems that you could get a very nice machine for $550, this might not be it. Best way to tell is go look at and listen to it, then decide if you want to spend that much for it.

The Amberola V is an excellent choice for a phonograph and a good one will bring a lot of enjoyment!

Cliff

Thanks, Cliff. Yes, from reading over PeterF's Amberola registry here, I've been tire-kicking, and this one is close to me in drive-time. Where I live is sort of a phono-desert. I know they embody all the best of the Edison internal horn cylinder machines. I've owned 30s, 50s, and a 75, but that was years ago. The V truly interests me. I'm in touch with the owners, who said they inherited it from their grandfather. I was thinking if it ran properly and sounded ok (I'm a stickler for reproducer rebuilds if they don't sound good to my ear), I thought I'd offer $400 and see how it goes. I'm supposed to go there tomorrow.

Seconding what has been said. It looks refinished and is not mint. For $550 (and perhaps some patience), I think you could find a considerably nicer one at a phonograph show.

52089 wrote:Seconding what has been said. It looks refinished and is not mint. For $550 (and perhaps some patience), I think you could find a considerably nicer one at a phonograph show.

Yup, didn't want my "want" to get the best of good reason. I too think it's been refinished (poorly), among other things, like the bedplate which is in poor condition. I've contacted the owner and told them I've decided to pass.

As an old friend of mine used to say, "I keep looking for the pony in the manure pile."

CharliePhono wrote:

52089 wrote:Seconding what has been said. It looks refinished and is not mint. For $550 (and perhaps some patience), I think you could find a considerably nicer one at a phonograph show.

Yup, didn't want my "want" to get the best of good reason. I too think it's been refinished (poorly), among other things, like the bedplate which is in poor condition. I've contacted the owner and told them I've decided to pass.

As an old friend of mine used to say, "I keep looking for the pony in the manure pile."

Late to the party here, but I agree with everyone else and think you should pass too, which you've done. You'll find the pony one day, but this ain't it.

gramophone-georg wrote:

CharliePhono wrote:

52089 wrote:Seconding what has been said. It looks refinished and is not mint. For $550 (and perhaps some patience), I think you could find a considerably nicer one at a phonograph show.

Yup, didn't want my "want" to get the best of good reason. I too think it's been refinished (poorly), among other things, like the bedplate which is in poor condition. I've contacted the owner and told them I've decided to pass.

As an old friend of mine used to say, "I keep looking for the pony in the manure pile."

Late to the party here, but I agree with everyone else and think you should pass too, which you've done. You'll find the pony one day, but this ain't it.

Does that make you a "neigh-sayer," George? <rim shot>

CharliePhono wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:
Late to the party here, but I agree with everyone else and think you should pass too, which you've done. You'll find the pony one day, but this ain't it.

Does that make you a "neigh-sayer," George? <rim shot>

Hmmm. If you analyze this, I think that makes me the nay- neigh- sayer, but then I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier...