The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for all the nice comments about the Kimball phonograph from forum members.

The question I have is about what kind of records it can play.

I know that a Brunswick with the triple head can rotate to play Victor, diamond discs, and Pathé records.

The Kimball phonograph that I have allows the reproducer to rotate into, I guess, two positions. When it is in the position that is in line with the tone arm, it plays lateral cut records just like a Victor victrola.

But, it can rotate to where the reproducer is horizontal to the tone arm. Is this for diamond discs, or vertical cut records? I put one on and it seems to play fine. I know diamond discs play with a diamond reproducer. This phonograph would be using a steel needle.

I am not sure what I have and what kind of records should be played in the different positions.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

It looks like your Kimball sound box can swivel into position for vertical-cut records such as Pathé, Phono-Cut, early Emerson, etc. but only using a sapphire ball stylus. Your machine will not play Edison Discs without damaging them (unless they're the late needle-cut versions).

George P.