The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This past Thursday I received a phone call from Wyatt Markus (MicaMonster) asking if I was up for an impromptu visit. Seems his wife had a horse competition just 7 miles from my home in Virginia. I'll let Wyatt express his affinity for horse shows, but suffice it to say, he would rather spend the day talking phonographs.

Collectors always love it when another collector stops by. There are far fewer yawns while sharing our collections than when our 'normal' friends stop in.

Anyway- To make the day a gold-star event, in that phone conversation Wyatt said-- "And maybe we can get that Class M of yours running!"

About 25 years ago, I picked up a Class M that needed quite a bit of work. Over the years I did much of the cleaning and assembled a few missing parts as well as accessories like a NOS glass battery, speaking tube, chip brush, etc.

Dave Teti in CT expertly re-did the black bedplate and hand-painted the striping. Ken Danckaert in MD, made a few parts and nickle plated the metal pieces. I assembled it all and did some initial motor work, but for most of the past 15 years or so, it has been a display-only machine.

I am happy to report that Wyatt and I had a great day shooting the breeze while he worked on my "M"-- and it is now purring like a kitten--- well, actually much quieter than a kitten.

Enjoy a few pics below. In the first pic you can see that the armature is spinning-- likely the first time the motor has run in 100+ years.
Thank you, Wyatt for your work and a great visit. I didn't know the Monster made house calls!

Brad Abell

Nothing like a Horse Show to get a Class M running and come in FIRST. ----NICE

How fortunate are you!

Sounds like a really great day. I love Wyatt's work and what a treat to have him get such a rare and awesome machine running right there in person. I have a phonograph collector couple visiting me next week. Maybe something that wonderful will happen here too! Though I have nothing a fun as a Class M machine to get going.

It's always a good day when Dr. Markus shows up! Too few visits from a very busy man. Congratulations, I can only dream of the day I might own a Class M or a Graphophone or Bell/Tainter counterpart.

Fran

What a great story and outcome. Always glad to hear of a dormant machine coming back to life.... and a Class M to top it off. Congratulations.

Brad,
I remember you showing me this machine when we were at your house years ago
when it needed help.
now it is FANTASTIC, to have Wyatt there in person was a real treat and Ken and Dave
also did great work on it.
You must feel like you hit the jackpot. Lerria and I are very happy for you and
CONGRATULATIONS FROM TEXAS!

ALL THE BEST,

David & Lerria

(please tell Gene hello from us when you see him next)

So don't keep us in suspense. What was wrong with the motor? Mechanical? Electrical? What was done to fix it?

Jim Nichol

That machine looks like it didn't need TOO much done to it. It must have been a pretty display piece before you started the repairs!

How does it sound?

Thanks for the kind words and the questions-- Perhaps Wyatt will chime in with the details, but overall the motor was intact-- I had already re-soldered a few of the windings where they attach to the armature.

Wyatt cleaned all contact points, replaced and/or extended some of the wires, reshaped the armature and governor brushes, ensured proper contact of the brushes with the governor plate and armature shaft, put belts on, adjusted governor and turned it on A year or two ago I had purchased one of Wyatt's power supplies that he makes for the M, so that was already here and ready for him. He tweaked the power supply a bit. We also discovered that the feedscrew was extremely dirty-- one of the dirtiest Wyatt had ever work on--
It was fun to watch him work (and we talked about a variety of topics)-- I learned a lot-- mostly that I'm going to stick to greasy springs!

After we (he) got the machine running I called my wife downstairs to witness the miracle resurrection of a long-dormant machine-- "That's nice, dear- I'm going shopping"

Anyway-- I am happy to have the M running after having it around for so many years. Wyatt- Thank you, again!

Brad Abell