The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have never really been interested in cylinder records/machines, but that's just because I have been learning and working on disc machines since I got into this hobby. Anyway, someone is selling an Edison standard not too far from my house. I was wondering if $325 seems like a good price for this machine. Also, I need a good source of information on how to play cylinder records without destroying anything Does everything look correct in the pics? Lastly, what kind of standard is this and how can one tell?

Thanks in advance.

-Travis

OK:
This is a model A Standard, as can be seen by the exposed speed control. It is a 2 minute only model, as there is no evidence of a combination attachment on the gear assembly: therefore, the Blue Amberols shown will not be playable on this machine.

If it has a model C reproducer, it can play Gold Moulded cylinders, as well as 2 minute Indestructibles and Everlastings. Brown wax cylinders should be played with a lighter reproducer, such as an Automatic or a model B.

I hope this information is useful.

Bill

^^^What Bill said.

All this information and more can be found in these well-illustrated articles:

https://www.antiquephono.org/spotters-g ... honograph/

https://www.antiquephono.org/basic-anti ... onal-tips/

George P.

Awesome! Thanks guys. Is $325 a good price to pay for this lot? (The ad doesn't say if everything works).

Does everything look to be present (IE no missing parts)?

-Travis

Travis, If your primary area of interest are disc machines I would suggest you wait for a two and four minute machine. Such a machine is much more versatile than a strictly two minute player. The $325 is ok but I sold two combination (2&4) machines at the recent APS sale for the same money. Jerry Blais

I agree with Jerry's suggestion.

Jerry B, you make perfect logical sense with your comment. I just got excited when I seen the for sale ad. What I really want is an external disc machine. I'm glad you opened my eyes and I didn't just impulse buy this thing!

The forum has spoken (and saved me money).

Just to add one more thing... I totally agree about the 2/4 minute machines, as they are much more versatile. Any cylinder can be played on them, with the correct reproducers. I personally like COLUMBIA cylinder machines, but it's a personal preference, however they are more difficult to find in the 2/4 minute configuration.

JUST MY OPINION, but the best cylinders are 2 and 4 minute Indestructibles and 4 minute Blue Amberols - not easily damaged... Black and brown wax are historically interesting, but very fragile and contain a lot of not so interesting music... at least to me.

This Edison Standard has a Blue Amberol on the mandrel,and it plays only 2 minute cylinders.edisonplayer

edisonplayer wrote:This Edison Standard has a Blue Amberol on the mandrel,and it plays only 2 minute cylinders.edisonplayer

You can only hope that that the current owners didn't do too much damage with there ignorance