The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've been doodling around with the K Reproducer for the Edison Fireside and am not entirely sure how to open it without messing up something. Can someone explain how to get it apart--or more importantly, back together?

A collector told me once that the K is not a very good reproducer. He says that either the 2 or 4m side will work well but not both of them. I don't know--it seems that by 1909-1910 Edison would have sold a good product, considering they were competing against a rising market of disc talking machines.

Any ideas/explanations?

What is wrong with it ?

The gaskets are aged out and need to be replaced. While it still plays, it does not sound very good at all.

This will give you a good insight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJmmkU6ZBnU

I replaced the gaskets in the model K that I have on my Home many years ago.

It's no different from the C or H, except you have two stylus bars to deal with. A steady hand, perhaps some magnification, and the right tools are all you need.

Bill

Okay, I don't feel so bad about it now.

For a moment I was wondering how people back in 1909 could put things together from the inside! Those stylus bars were a little intimidating.

I'll give it a go, but first I need to fix the phonograph. It's currently in two boxes and scattered all around the house as I re-finish it. Looking good so far though--Cline decals and many, many coats of shellac are going a long ways...it helps that Edison made these to be very attractive in the first place!

Thanks for telling me how to make it sound as good as it looks.