FOR SALE: Edison Amberola 1A oak/gunmetal - SOLD
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:17 pm
Here is a very nice complete and original example of the Amberola 1A, the first model of the largest Amberola, and the only one with the capability to play both 2 and 4 minute cylinders. Of the approximately 3500 Amberola 1A's produced, only about one quarter of them had the quartered oak cabinet and gunmetal bedplate combination such as this example.
It is available for sale and pick-up in the San Francisco Bay Area, with delivery possible within a day's drive in exchange for gas money. We can also utilize the Blais Express to get it cheaply to LA for the show this coming August, or to next year's Union show. We can also discuss other shipping options if desired.
The motor was recently re-sprung and tuned by Dwayne Wyatt of Wyatt's Musical Americana, and runs smoothly and perfectly.
The bedplate is the "gunmetal" finish, a rich silvery-gray color which nobody has yet been able to duplicate successfully. This finish typically exhibits some staining and discolored spots, and this one is no exception, as shown in the photos. The oak and gunmetal combination is quite lovely and compelling.
The Amberola 1A can use several reproducers: M (2-minute wax and 4-minute wax/celluloid, flipover), L (4-minute wax/celluloid), and Diamond A (4-minute celluoid). This one is equipped with a Diamond A.
The serial number for the machine is 2338, and the number is present on the cabinet, ID plate, and motor bedplate - numbers match in all 3 locations.
The cabinet is quartered oak. You will note from the photos that the interior and exterior are two different shades. The record storage drawers and inside face of the record storage door, as well as the wood surfaces under the lid, are a very dark, almost ebonized finish. The exterior is uniformly lighter - a more conventional medium fumed oak finish - and the finish appears original or at least quite old. This is one of four such West Coast examples I have seen or found online, where the exterior is lighter than the interior. It's fun to theorize why this might be. Discussions and observations have lead to a few theories:
- uniform exterior fading from exposure to air (sun fade would likely not be uniform)
- refinishing by prior owners (why so many?)
- refinishing by a western distributor to make these then-expensive slow-selling units more attractive to buyers as the dark finish became unfashionable (my favorite theory)
It's hard to know what to do, if anything, on that. It's unusual in appearance but not unattractive, and some collectors have recommeded it stay as-is. I toyed with the idea of refinishing the exterior to match the interior, because lightening the interior would be far harder - especially when considering the original decal under the lid. I even shipped the front door to our colleague Earl so that he could examine both sides and recommend the formula to duplicate the interior shade. I will include the samples (and their formulae) that he made up for this project.
The cabinet itself is in very good cosmetic condition, and suitable for display as-is. However there are some things to note:
- some scuffs on the front feet
- top of lid is dry and has some marks
- front door is slightly bowed
- rear access door has issues (best discussed by phone)
- grille has breaks and small missing pieces of veneer
Please have a look at the photos and PM me with any questions. Thanks for looking.
It is available for sale and pick-up in the San Francisco Bay Area, with delivery possible within a day's drive in exchange for gas money. We can also utilize the Blais Express to get it cheaply to LA for the show this coming August, or to next year's Union show. We can also discuss other shipping options if desired.
The motor was recently re-sprung and tuned by Dwayne Wyatt of Wyatt's Musical Americana, and runs smoothly and perfectly.
The bedplate is the "gunmetal" finish, a rich silvery-gray color which nobody has yet been able to duplicate successfully. This finish typically exhibits some staining and discolored spots, and this one is no exception, as shown in the photos. The oak and gunmetal combination is quite lovely and compelling.
The Amberola 1A can use several reproducers: M (2-minute wax and 4-minute wax/celluloid, flipover), L (4-minute wax/celluloid), and Diamond A (4-minute celluoid). This one is equipped with a Diamond A.
The serial number for the machine is 2338, and the number is present on the cabinet, ID plate, and motor bedplate - numbers match in all 3 locations.
The cabinet is quartered oak. You will note from the photos that the interior and exterior are two different shades. The record storage drawers and inside face of the record storage door, as well as the wood surfaces under the lid, are a very dark, almost ebonized finish. The exterior is uniformly lighter - a more conventional medium fumed oak finish - and the finish appears original or at least quite old. This is one of four such West Coast examples I have seen or found online, where the exterior is lighter than the interior. It's fun to theorize why this might be. Discussions and observations have lead to a few theories:
- uniform exterior fading from exposure to air (sun fade would likely not be uniform)
- refinishing by prior owners (why so many?)
- refinishing by a western distributor to make these then-expensive slow-selling units more attractive to buyers as the dark finish became unfashionable (my favorite theory)
It's hard to know what to do, if anything, on that. It's unusual in appearance but not unattractive, and some collectors have recommeded it stay as-is. I toyed with the idea of refinishing the exterior to match the interior, because lightening the interior would be far harder - especially when considering the original decal under the lid. I even shipped the front door to our colleague Earl so that he could examine both sides and recommend the formula to duplicate the interior shade. I will include the samples (and their formulae) that he made up for this project.
The cabinet itself is in very good cosmetic condition, and suitable for display as-is. However there are some things to note:
- some scuffs on the front feet
- top of lid is dry and has some marks
- front door is slightly bowed
- rear access door has issues (best discussed by phone)
- grille has breaks and small missing pieces of veneer
Please have a look at the photos and PM me with any questions. Thanks for looking.