The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was just curious, I have a model S that came with a machine I got from a user here. I was looking at it yesterday and remembered seeing something about some of them having brass lower bodies; however, I'm curious as to how you determine the material if it's nickel plated. I'm guessing it would be shinier. Anyway, I included some pics so y'all could school me! The top looks like that but the sides and back are a little shinier than they are in the pics.

EdisonWizard wrote:I'm curious as to how you determine the material if it's nickel plated.

Pot metal in a reproducer almost always reveals itself by presence of a rather dull, somewhat grainy appearance (presuming it was plated, of course). But not always. On occasion plated pot metal parts can be difficult to tell from brass. I have some Columbia AT carriage parts here that are definitely pot metal but looking at them with naked eye you would swear that they're brass as no tell-tale signs of intergranular corrosion is evident.

On the other hand, I have seen some plated brass reproducers and parts that appeared to be pot metal and they were not!

A recent example of this:

In response to my rather recent want ad for an Edison model D reproducer, a very thoughtful and courteous member of this Forum sent me pictures of his completely original Edison Concert model D reproducer that he offered to sell. By the pictures I could swear that it had a pot metal top. The member informed me that the reproducer was indeed brass and I happily bought it. On receiving the reproducer I confirmed that he was absolutely correct that it was brass. But since this brass reproducer had been exposed to dampness in the distant past the plating produced a dull, rough and sort of flaky appearance almost exactly like ancient plated pot metal would appear.

So...what may appear to be pot metal is not always the case and what appears to be brass may not always be the case. But, generally speaking, pot metal will reveal itself visually - and especially in practice when you try to work with it!

Doug

We must, too, remember the characteristics of the metals themselves and the processes used to manufacture them later in question. Brass does not flow as well as pot metal when forced into a die, so brass parts are often lathe finished, and any detail (such as lettering) is added with a stamping die.

Pot metal flows well into even the most detailed dies when properly constituted. The lettering on your model S reproducer, which is raised on a recessed background, is indicative of a pot metal die casting.

Uncle Vanya wrote:We must, too, remember the characteristics of the metals themselves and the processes used to manufacture them later in question. Brass does not flow as well as pot metal when forced into a die, so brass parts are often lathe finished, and any detail (such as lettering) is added with a stamping die.

Pot metal flows well into even the most detailed dies when properly constituted. The lettering on your model S reproducer, which is raised on a recessed background, is indicative of a pot metal die casting.

I knew the top on these model S's are almost always pot metal. I was wondering about bottom part. Hard to tell for me!

I don't believe that any of the wejghts were literally. At least I've never noticed any such.

How do you like that Model S? Ive been thinking about trying to find one.

Uncle Vanya wrote:I don't believe that any of the wejghts were literally. At least I've never noticed any such.

What about the 2nd half that fits into the carriage? That's what I was curious about. It fits perfectly.

hearsedriver wrote:How do you like that Model S? Ive been thinking about trying to find one.

Honestly this is the first one I've seen/owned. I like it a lot, it sounds a lot fuller which I'm guessing is due to the larger diaphragm, but I haven't tried it on anything but the cygnet. Also it's nice that it has that larger diaphragm and can also fit standard carriages due to the lower body. If you want to hear it I got a video on YouTube but could also make one for you. .

Please post your youtube video. Id like to hear it! Thanks

hearsedriver wrote:Please post your youtube video. Id like to hear it! Thanks

Not a really good quality video. I can get you a better one tomorrow if you want! https://youtu.be/MeLuovZJRc8