The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've finally found some time to create and post a video on my YouTube channel of what may be the last known Edison Amberola VI released by the factory...the model "D6" serial #98 from my collection.

For anyone interested, I have included the video below which also features my Amberola D6 playing a personal favorite Blue Amberol cylinder, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" by Billy Murray from 1911.

I included the background story of how I found the phonograph at the beginning of the video. Those who are disinterested in the intro story need only to move the video fast-forward button to about the 9:00 mark to watch/listen to only the audio presentation.

Thanks,
Doug

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxco708WE9o[/youtube]

Thanks for sharing! Very interesting story in your acquisition of this rare gem. There is nothing like a nice double spring Amberola. I am just curious of how many cylinders you can play on a winding?

Victrolacollector wrote:I am just curious of how many cylinders you can play on a winding?

Thanks for your comments. I should think that one could get at least 2 full four-minute cylinder plays out a completely wound double spring Edison Amberola motor. Maybe three but I've never tried it. I usually wind mine up to accommodate at least one full play but seldom do I wind any phonograph up completely. Others may have better info.

Doug

Nice story, and fine player!
I've heard of the Brimfield show but have never made it up to Massachusetts for it. Seems like the golden years of shows such as these have gone by, from the stories I've heard from recent sellers and buyers.
Thanks for posting!
Bob

Thanks for your comments, Bob! I've not been to any of the Brimfield shows in years but my understanding from those who have attended in recent years tell me (as you also alluded to) that the chance of "finding really good stuff like the old days" has diminished considerably. My presumption (along with most everyone else) is that internet selling has taken over much of the biz that used to be carried on in antique show fields. I always enjoyed the added benefit of getting some exercise by walking for what seemed to be miles in the various Brimfield show fields back in those days. At the end of the day you were tired but smiling!

Doug

Doug, As usual a wonderful and rare machine from your impressive collection! An excellent choice of a cylinder to show the quality of the machine, and of course who but Billy Murray to do it best. As for your intro, just want to say: excellent job, I thought it was fantastic!

spike wrote:Doug, As usual a wonderful and rare machine from your impressive collection! An excellent choice of a cylinder to show the quality of the machine, and of course who but Billy Murray to do it best. As for your intro, just want to say: excellent job, I thought it was fantastic!

Thanks for your gracious comments, Spike. Comments like yours make the hours to set up the machines and pick out the records to play worthwhile. For this particular video I looked for almost two hours to find one of two copies I have of the Alexander's Ragtime Band cylinder. My wife keeps a close eye on the free space in our home so it seems I'm always moving stuff around to keep peace in the family and I often forget where I put many of my favorite records. She's right, of course, but it sure is frustrating when you want to listen to a record that you can't find.

Doug

I see why you like that song I remember it from a while ago. Nice machine nice history. Tom B

That sure is an unusual machine. I do have some questions about it. The mechanism and Diamond C reproducer are from an Amberola 50 that came out in early 1915. Were these late Amberola D VI a transitional machine until the more familiar Amberola 50 came out? I wonder if Edison used the old style cabinets with the news mechanisms. Do any of the Edison experts know?
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:That sure is an unusual machine. I do have some questions about it. The mechanism and Diamond C reproducer are from an Amberola 50 that came out in early 1915. Were these late Amberola D VI a transitional machine until the more familiar Amberola 50 came out? I wonder if Edison used the old style cabinets with the news mechanisms. Do any of the Edison experts know?
Harvey Kravitz

Well, the Amberola B-V (apparently only 859 were produced) had a mechanism from a 75: presumably the D-VI used a 50 works. The purpose of these models was most likely to move old cabinet stock as the new models were being introduced.

Bill