How much does an Amberola 75 weigh?

[Bryan]

Hi Folks -

A relative has generously decided to give me what I think is an Amberola 75. The machine is in her attic. I saw it for about 5 seconds on a recent visit and knew zero about cylinder players when I viewed it. I've since Googled around and educated myself a little bit on cylinder players and the Amberola 75 is the closest match to my memory of what I saw in the attic. It's definitely an Edison machine.

My first task is to extricate the thing from her attic, which I'm doing in two days. My question is how much does this thing weigh? Without amplifiers and transformers and speakers, my guess would be that it's not very heavy at all. But I've been fooled before. Does anyone know a ballpark weight?

There is also a cabinet full of the blue "Amberol" cylinders in the attic and I think I'm getting a few with the machine. At this point I have no idea what condition the machine is in other than the cabinet is the "mahogany finish" and there is a mechanism in it.

Two able-bodied adults can probably get this thing down a couple flights of stairs I'm hoping?

Thanks folks,

Bryan

[marcapra]

You are right, it's not that heavy. I would start by removing the drawers and cylinders to make it lighter. Then, I would shrink wrap the lid, or tie it down, or but a bicycle inner tube over it, so it wouldn't fly open. Weight is probably under 100 lbs.

[Jerry B.]

If you consider all upright talking machines the Amberola 75 is quite light. Two people of reasonable strength should have no trouble moving it. Be sure to control the lid and remove the front grill and any records in the drawers. Others probably have additional suggestions. Be sure to post some photos. Be sure to play only Blue Amberol and other celluloid four minute cylinders on it. Do NOT play any wax cylinders.

Jerry Blais

[52089]

Two adults can easily move an Amberola 75 without any strain.

However, if you got lucky and the machine is actually an Amberola I or III, you need to be aware that the motor is not bolted down on those models. Tilting the machine without removing the motor first would cause serious cabinet damage.

If you post a picture, we can confirm what you have and provide additional suggestions.

[tomb]

Welcome to the forum. Bubble wrap the heck out of it before you move it. Tone arms get broke, parts shift and things are loosened inside but never tightened. Send some pics so a better assessment can be made. A small Edison Gem goes very well on the top. Tom

[Bryan]

Hi Folks -

Thanks for the tips. Good to know, especially that the mechanism may not be attached. I'm going to lay it on its back in my car (station wagon). I'll be sure to take out the drawers and cylinders and keep the lid closed.

I can't take any more pics of it until I go there to retrieve it this weekend. I had my phone in my pocket when she showed it to me and...well...I guess we know why I'm not a photojournalist. It didn't occur to me to take a picture of it.

This machine was my great uncle's (born circa 1905) and he was "into" phonographs. There are other machines of his in her house and some of those big wild painted horns. There is one of the "standard" type Edison machines there with a big horn and a cabinet with a curved front that has a door with shelves on it for holding cylinders. There are also shelves inside the cabinet for cylinders. They "mesh" when you close the door. It's really clever. There are also more painted horns in the attic. There is also a disk phonograph and a "witch's hat" sitting around. His house was a bit of a shambles when he died in the early 90s and his stuff is still in boxes and piles at her place (she cleaned out his house).

I'll definitely have pics of the Amberola in a couple days, and I'll try to take pics of some of the other stuff. I'm going to get the Amberola working and enjoy it. It looks like it will be fun.

Bryan

[coyote]

Bryan,
I'm sure you'll enjoy the Amberola. Be sure also to remove the reproducer (the part with the stylus/needle) and transport it safely out of the machine. You'd do well to keep tabs on the other phonographs and related items. Your great uncle's collection sounds very interesting and valuable. The cabinet you mentioned sounds like it may be a Herzog or similar which tend to be highly sought after and are worth a good deal of money.

[phonojim]

You may not be able to remove the reproducer from the carriage due to potmetal swelling. If that is the case, fold a paper towel into a square several layers thick, move the carriage to the right end of the mandrel and let the it down so that the diamond stylus rests on the pad. Then tie the carriage in place woth a bread bag tie. Note: tne reproducer can be tricky to remove from one of these even if it is not swollen.

Jim

[Bryan]

Hi Folks -

Thanks for the tips. I've got everything to pack it as advised and I'm heading out to pick it up in a few minutes. I'll post pictures under a new thread.

Bryan