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Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 10:31 am
by RonSound
I've always wanted to have a gramophone but couldn't justify the expense or space at my previous home. Last year I moved to a larger home and this past weekend my mom found these at a yard sale for the grand total of $25! I'm hoping someone can identify the models and offer some advice as I try to get them back into working order. The Edison also has a broken leg which I'm going to fix. Thanks, everyone!
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 10:44 am
by DGPros
Edison C-150 (it only plays those thick Diamond Disc records) and a Sears model Silvertone.I'm sure some else knows more on that one than I do. I posted a picture of my old C-150. Good luck, this site is filled with helpful information.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 11:08 am
by EdiBrunsVic
If you live in an area near Union, Illinois, the upcoming phonograph show would be a great place to get parts and records. I have a few Silvertone Records.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 11:57 am
by Menophanes
Quite a flying start, I should think, to have discovered an Edison Diamond Disc cabinet machine on one's first buying trip. Clearly it needs a good deal of work, but at such a price what is there to lose? Good luck!
Oliver Mundy.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 12:37 pm
by emerson
Nice deal at that price-----Welcome, Learn, and Enjoy, you'll find that the phonographs are nice to collect and listen to but the people you meet make the hobby the greater value.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 5:22 pm
by OrthoFan
The Sears Silvertone Phonograph looks like the "Model J" from 1920 --
- Capture.JPG (69.22 KiB) Viewed 1693 times
Do a google books search for Silvertone Phonograph, and you'll find several ads from various magazines.
OrthoFan
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 7:19 am
by RonSound
Thanks for the info, Orthofan. I found a plate on the back of the Silvertone with "E 5200" on it but I couldn't find anything with a Google search of it.
My daughter and I cleaned up the Silvertone a bit last night but couldn't test it as it's missing the crank. The Edison, however, seemed to work fine. It's missing the volume mute in the horn but you can touch the needle and hear the sound in the horn. Unfortunately I have no Diamond Discs at this time to try out.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 7:46 am
by DGPros
RonSound wrote:Thanks for the info, Orthofan. I found a plate on the back of the Silvertone with "E 5200" on it but I couldn't find anything with a Google search of it.
My daughter and I cleaned up the Silvertone a bit last night but couldn't test it as it's missing the crank. The Edison, however, seemed to work fine. It's missing the volume mute in the horn but you can touch the needle and hear the sound in the horn. Unfortunately I have no Diamond Discs at this time to try out.
When you do get a Diamond Disc, run the reproducer on the inner smooth part of the record. If it doesn't leave a mark the Diamond should be good, if it leaves a mark then it needs replacing.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 8:49 am
by HisMastersVoice
DGPros wrote:RonSound wrote:Thanks for the info, Orthofan. I found a plate on the back of the Silvertone with "E 5200" on it but I couldn't find anything with a Google search of it.
My daughter and I cleaned up the Silvertone a bit last night but couldn't test it as it's missing the crank. The Edison, however, seemed to work fine. It's missing the volume mute in the horn but you can touch the needle and hear the sound in the horn. Unfortunately I have no Diamond Discs at this time to try out.
When you do get a Diamond Disc, run the reproducer on the inner smooth part of the record. If it doesn't leave a mark the Diamond should be good, if it leaves a mark then it needs replacing.
Actually it was determined a while back that this was not a good diamond test. Perfect diamonds will often leave a light trail on the smooth surface because the limit pin rides against the loop when the stylus is not in a groove. On the flip side (ha!), a bad diamond will sometimes
not leave a mark. Of course heavy scoring would be suspect, and if it creates black dust that's not good. The only true way to determine the status of your diamond is to look at it under a microscope. I would recommend having it inspected and the reproducer rebuilt by Steve Medved before use.
Re: Just got my first gramophones! What models are they?
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 1:42 pm
by DGPros
When you do get a Diamond Disc, run the reproducer on the inner smooth part of the record. If it doesn't leave a mark the Diamond should be good, if it leaves a mark then it needs replacing.
Actually it was determined a while back that this was not a good diamond test. Perfect diamonds will often leave a light trail on the smooth surface because the limit pin rides against the loop when the stylus is not in a groove. On the flip side (ha!), a bad diamond will sometimes not leave a mark. Of course heavy scoring would be suspect, and if it creates black dust that's not good. The only true way to determine the status of your diamond is to look at it under a microscope. I would recommend having it inspected and the reproducer rebuilt by Steve Medved before use.
Well I learn something new everyday.
I knew of the black dust but not leaving marks/markings. Thanks for the update on this. And yes I highly recommend Steve for this job. Extremely helpful also with the information.