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Decisions Decisions! I am debating which of the B-19 machines should I keep. Both are nice, one is the rouge and other is natural.

Both machines work equally well and equal appearance in good condition.

I only wish to keep one, I would like to keep the one that is harder to replace? rouge or natural.

Any feedback and suggestions would be great.

Victrolacollector wrote:Decisions Decisions! I am debating which of the B-19 machines should I keep. Both are nice, one is the rouge and other is natural.

Both machines work equally well and equal appearance in good condition.

I only wish to keep one, I would like to keep the one that is harder to replace? rouge or natural.

Any feedback and suggestions would be great.

I've seen many more Rouge than Natural. Just my observation.

-Fran

EDIT: The correct spelling for the finish is "Naturel", not the common English natural.

I agree the natural seems to be a little more scarce, but in the end, keep whichever one you like best.

I once owned what I thought was a Natural, but later learned that is was a Rouge. I would like to see pics of both of yours, side by side. Thanks, Marc.

I would keep the Natural.

Okay guys rouge or natural. Never heard those terms. I thought all were mahogany, oak. elm or some other kind of wood. I guess if I saw photos I'd know what they look like. Never heard the terms. Photos? Neil

vansteem78 wrote:Okay guys rouge or natural. Never heard those terms. I thought all were mahogany, oak. elm or some other kind of wood. I guess if I saw photos I'd know what they look like. Never heard the terms. Photos? Neil

For rouge, think fake mahogany. For "naturel" (Edison's term), think fake pine. In both cases, it's cheap gum wood in non-matching strips, with an OK stain and a mediocre finish. I have yet to see a B-19 that didn't have easily visible drips in the finish. Mechanically they're the same as every other Diamond Disc machine of the period, but the cabinets were cheapened so they could be sold at lower prices.

Here's a Google image search. The light ones are "naturel", the dark ones are "rouge".

https://www.google.com/search?q=edison+ ... 71#imgrc=_

Thanks for the link. In those Internet pics, I found my old B-19. I thought it was Naturel, but someone said No, it's rouge. What do you think?

Personally I prefer the Natural as it stands out among the darker phonographs in my collection. No doubt about mine being natural as very light in color.

Marc, I think yours is/was actually the Naturel finish, that has likely been lightened a little through cleaning. The Rouge finish seems to be very easily damaged, and/or removed without difficulty inadvertently. Either that, or someone refinished it at some point.

Best,
Fran