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My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:21 pm
by antique1973
A very generous and kind gentleman sold me this machine with 2 big boxes
full of (mostly) blue amberols for $200. The motor was seized
when I got it but I just sprayed a little silicone oil on the
gears and governor pivits and she fired right up.
The needle and reproducer are in decent shape as it sounds pretty good.
I have been looking for one of these for a long time and finally its
here.

Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:37 pm
by Jerry B.
Congratulations on your purchase. An Amberola 30 in good running order is a terrific machine for Blue Amberol records. You'll get tons of entertainment from it. Jerry Blais
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:07 pm
by Brad
You got a very honest machine there Brad. They are a lot of fun. I like my amberolas because they are easier to deal with by having to lift and move the horn along with the carriage.
Congratulations and Enjoy.
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:13 pm
by antique1973
Jerry B. wrote:Congratulations on your purchase. An Amberola 30 in good running order is a terrific machine for Blue Amberol records. You'll get tons of entertainment from it. Jerry Blais
Thank-you Jerry. It is a lot of fun to see the earlier cylinder technology
in action.

Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:22 pm
by antique1973
Brad wrote:You got a very honest machine there Brad. They are a lot of fun. I like my amberolas because they are easier to deal with by having to lift and move the horn along with the carriage.
Congratulations and Enjoy.
Thanks Brad! It is definitely different how the horn moves with the
reproducer assembly.

It just needed some oil on the slide bar
and now it moves smoothly. This one was sitting for some time and
was really dry. One good thing about that though is the lack of
oxidation on the metal parts. The grill is one of those repro metal
ones with simulated wood grain. I can probably find an original one
without too much trouble.
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:03 pm
by antique1973
Did a quick video. Sorry its dark, my cam sucks. I need to get a huge spotlight
for my videos I think.
[youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvTP7EiJbRk[/youtube]
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:18 pm
by estott
Sweet machine, but why do you say the grille is a repro? It looks exactly like the painted metal grille on mine.
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:23 pm
by antique1973
estott wrote:Sweet machine, but why do you say the grille is a repro? It looks exactly like the painted metal grille on mine.
So the original grille is supposed to be metal? It does look aged, but
I assumed it should be wood.
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:45 pm
by estott
No- the grilles in the cheaper table Amberolas were metal, Edison cut a few corners in the line, especially the ones he powered with Gem motors.
Re: My first Edison...Amberola 30
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:56 am
by antique1973
estott wrote:No- the grilles in the cheaper table Amberolas were metal, Edison cut a few corners in the line, especially the ones he powered with Gem motors.
Ah, thanks for setting me straight Estott.

That's good news its original. So my motor
is a Gem motor also? It runs great with plenty of power but has the usual "bumps" due to
old grease.