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Oh where to start!

Finally got the chance to purchase an opera! The seller would like to remain off the forum, but I just want to say he’s such a wonderful person...and hopefully I’ll be able to meet him soon..he has worked with me and been extremely helpful with everything. It arrived yesterday, perfectly packaged...no issues from postage! Finally got it together with my dad helping (which was a treat) and it’s such a beautiful machine. I’ve never seen one in person so this was great. It sounds so much better than all my other machines. I was also lucky enough to receive both the Diamond A and the Model L reproducers. Check out the photos below! Also took a little video of it playing “Are You From Dixie?”

https://youtu.be/SWQau3t1DPM

My little bubby was listening to some tunes while snacking last night!

Now to acquire a barrel cabinet to go with it

Looks great!! How I envy you

A beautiful machine. Have lots of fun with it!

Congratulations -- it looks beautiful. And -- serial #42! That is obviously very, very early. I've seen very few 2-digit serial numbers on Operas (including my own #10). It's also terrific that you got both reproducers. At that early point it was shipped with the L, the A would have been a later upgrade.

I had my L restored by Steve Medved and it sounds even better than the A.

These are wonderful machines. I don't have to say 'enjoy it' -- that's a given.

TinfoilPhono wrote:Congratulations -- it looks beautiful. And -- serial #42! That is obviously very, very early. I've seen very few 2-digit serial numbers on Operas (including my own #10). It's also terrific that you got both reproducers. At that early point it was shipped with the L, the A would have been a later upgrade.

I had my L restored by Steve Medved and it sounds even better than the A.

These are wonderful machines. I don't have to say 'enjoy it' -- that's a given.

Thanks!! It sounds great now, I was thinking before I received it I might have Steve rebuild them, but I think I’m gonna just enjoy it a while first. I still need to get a cabinet! Only thing I’d like to do now is get the cylinder brush...I’m uncertain if the early ones came with it...if so i wouldn’t mind finding one. That’s impressive you have #10! I would guess ours were made the same year. I do need some more black wax amberol records...most of my collection is blue amberols and 2 min.

If you are not familiar with green box Amberols, you should be aware that they are much more fragile than the 2 min. wax records. I have had many green Amberols smashed during shipment, just by carriers who drop or throw the boxes around. And if they arrive in tact, they are sometimes worn out. If they are un-played, you are lucky as they sound terrific, especially opera arias. But the downside is that after around 25 plays, they start to show considerable wear. That's why Edison rushed into the celluloid records fast.
I have an oak Opera and mine had a very poor amateur restoration of the motor board. Bad paint color, sloppy painted pin striping, and bad scroll work. I had a friend, Uncle Vanya, restore the motor board and the results were quite good!

Looks like the little one is quite pleased with it too! Congrats!

Congratulations, that's a very beautiful Opera! So...what's it been, like 2 years since you started collecting? Impressive!

Best,
Fran

That's a very nice Opera - - undiddled-with and good looking. Just the way you want to find one.

Congratulations!

George P.

fran604g wrote:Congratulations, that's a very beautiful Opera! So...what's it been, like 2 years since you started collecting? Impressive!

Best,
Fran

haha! im 29 now...ive been collecting since I was about 18. Started off with a Columbia tabletop I got from a family friend's attic...then HMV tabletop...then jukebox...and now im here lol. I got my first Edison standard when I was about 20/21 or so. In the last two years though I more or less refined my focus in the hobby to Edison machines, recently picking up the Victor L door which satisfied the 78rpm itch....FOR NOW. When I joined the forum I was really able to expand my collection due to meeting so many great fellow collectors. I guess ill stop when I run out of room...but I doubt it!