The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had a request for some additional pictures so rather than split this into 2 posts, I put all the pictures in this one. Hope that is OK with everyone.

It's an Edison DD A-375 (Louis XV style) with serial number 10532. The auction pics were not great and originally I thought it might be in walnut but upon closer inspection, it's mahogany, not as rare, but still attractive. Somewhat "alligatored" and some linear scratches on top, but not too bad overall.

According to Frow (1982), it was introduced in late-1912, 50 were ordered to be produced immediately. It was exhibited at the Sept. 1912 Boston Electrical Show. It was first offered to the public in Oct. and by the end of Dec. 1914, 124 had been sold. Also, only 62 of the Walnut A-425 were sold during the same time period so it was not produced after that. In Feb. 1915, the A-375 was given the new standardized mechanism and re-named the B-375. By Dec. of 1916 it was decided to stop production of this model.

Look at that weird motor and volume-control assembly! Wow!

Same comment, VERY cool volume control!

That volume control assembly is something I have never seen before. Very interesting and probably overly complicated, overly engineered and thus more expensive to make Certainly more expensive than putting a couple hinges on wooden doors as Victor was able to do! It probably indicates early but I'd invite other opinions.

thanks alot for posting!

*drool*

You got this at an auction?

Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

The pics are great! I think I've read that the very earliest models of the high end machines...that is to say the ones made in 1912 and very early 1913 had no volume control, but don't quote me on this. They were added, so I understand because prospective buyers said the machine was too loud....which they tend to be.
A good French polisher could make that machine look like it did in the show room. I t would be stunning. Sadly, finding anyone who can do it correctly is almost impossible. There was an old gent here in Toronto that I used to refer my clients to for piano refinishing and the results he could get in about three hours work were amazing because an expert doesn't take off the old finish at all: they merely amalgamate and add a final sheen. And of course he died before I could have him do my C200 and the Victor III.
Jim

Lenoirstreetguy wrote:The pics are great! I think I've read that the very earliest models of the high end machines...that is to say the ones made in 1912 and very early 1913 had no volume control, but don't quote me on this. They were added, so I understand because prospective buyers said the machine was too loud....which they tend to be.
Jim

For what it's worth My A300 sn 2503 has no volume control. My A250 sn 4165 has no volume control. I have another A250 sn 12887 which has the classic "A series" volume control, the long flat gold wash bar that pushes/pulls up and down. I've never seen before a machine with a volume control like is pictured on the A375 here.

Interestingly, in a later owners manual at least, it's not referred to as "volume control" but as a "tone modulator".

Does anyone who has a "tone modulator" actually use it? I always leave it wide open. In fact in my C19 I removed the ball because I think even when fully open it does, at least slightly, obstruct the opening of the horn.

Me. I use mine...I don't like the muffled sound, but I don't like the neighbours pounding on the wall: I'm in a classic Toronto " semi-detached" house, that is to say we share one wall. Speaking of these early machines, I was looking at the 1913 volume of the Edison Phonograph Monthly, which of course has a big feature describing the new line, and none of the write ups mention a tone modulator. By 1915, however, the machine blurbs all mention " tone modulator" as one of the features.
The thing is, if your reproducer is working properly, they should be as least as loud and probably louder than a Victrola with a loud tone needle. The operatic discs should make your ears bleed...in a good way I mean...

Jim

I too use my tone modulator at times, many records made are way too loud. It can depend to a degree on what your diaphragm is putting out. Some are prone to be rather weak sounding after all these years so a wide open horn is fine, but some really good old ones, and many of the ones I have created are much too loud for a small room wide open with a over recorded dance record or loud band.

I agree the machine is a wonder, should have kept my walnut one..

Larry

Valecnik wrote:

Lenoirstreetguy wrote:The pics are great! I think I've read that the very earliest models of the high end machines...that is to say the ones made in 1912 and very early 1913 had no volume control, but don't quote me on this. They were added, so I understand because prospective buyers said the machine was too loud....which they tend to be.
Jim

For what it's worth My A300 sn 2503 has no volume control. My A250 sn 4165 has no volume control. I have another A250 sn 12887 which has the classic "A series" volume control, the long flat gold wash bar that pushes/pulls up and down. I've never seen before a machine with a volume control like is pictured on the A375 here.

Interestingly, in a later owners manual at least, it's not referred to as "volume control" but as a "tone modulator".

Does anyone who has a "tone modulator" actually use it? I always leave it wide open. In fact in my C19 I removed the ball because I think even when fully open it does, at least slightly, obstruct the opening of the horn.

Lenoirstreetguy wrote:Me. I use mine...I don't like the muffled sound, but I don't like the neighbours pounding on the wall: I'm in a classic Toronto " semi-detached" house, that is to say we share one wall.
The thing is, if your reproducer is working properly, they should be as least as loud and probably louder than a Victrola with a loud tone needle. The operatic discs should make your ears bleed...in a good way I mean...

Jim

larryh wrote:I too use my tone modulator at times, many records made are way too loud. It can depend to a degree on what your diaphragm is putting out. Some are prone to be rather weak sounding after all these years so a wide open horn is fine, but some really good old ones, and many of the ones I have created are much too loud for a small room wide open with a over recorded dance record or loud band.

I agree they are plenty loud but that's the way I like to listen to alot of music. Of course one needs to be considerate of the neighbors too. I have a detached house with block walls Not much sound gets through, although my wife still complains if I play cylinders in my ofice late at night, which is just below our bedroom, separated by a poured concrete ceiling. My reproducers are properly rebuilt and they do make your ears bleed a bit... in a good way