The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I don't yet own an Edison cylinder phonograph, but am slowly considering it...
This phonograph is for sale in my area, along with the cylinders pictured. The seller says there is a missing connector that holds the horn to the phonograph, a part that I am myself not able to identify since I don't know anything about Edison phonographs.
The current bid for this phonograph is € 250. Any input on the approximate value of this machine, and if you would have considered it yourself for this price, would be highly appreciated.
Thank you,

The horn connects with the reproducer by a short piece of rubber tubing which should be easily found or fabricated.
The machine appears to be equipped to play 2 minute wax cylinders only, which will restrict your choice of music.
Even if cleaned, mould growth on wax cylinders eats into the surface, rendering them unplayable.
As to value, I will leave that question to the Edison experts.

My first cylinder machine was an Amberola 30 which played 4 minute celluloid Blue Amberol cylinders. It was utterly reliable.

The best thing is the steel gramophone needles in original tin box placed on the phonograph!
Now seriously, I'm also a flat disc guy. If I ever considered the purchase of an Edison phonograph, I would go for a versatile machine that could play 4min cylinders, as I've read herein so many problems with the old 2min wax cylinders that I think I couldn't cope with that. It's certain that the interest is highest on these, being older and so and so... But if you like a phonograph to play frequently, I'd attach to the blue amberols and a sturdy machine that could play those.
This said, you can do what you want, of course, but the challenges of an older 2min machine are greater. At least you can make you sure if a 2min/4min conversion attachment can be used with this machine, this would make it feasible to play blue amberols too. But you'll need different reproducers, the gear unit, etc, and the invoice goes higher!
Notice that some of the cylinders in the photo are cracked or broken...

After my experience with a 2 min Edison Standard, I wouldn't consider buying another 2 min only machine, unless it was an unusual one for historic interest and display... If you want to be able to play it on a regular basis, then a 2/4 min machine is the way to go and celluloid Indestructible 2 or 4 min cylinders and Edison Blue Amberol 4 min celluloid cylinders are the best choice for playing. Wax cylinders may be interesting from an historical aspect, but are not reliable to play due to easy breakage and mold...

Wow. No love for the two minute only machines. I'll give you the counter point: I find I like playing 2 minute records more. For one thing, if somebody is visiting and getting a demonstration, I see them beginning to squirm at about 1 minute and 45 seconds. I find there are not many 4 minute cylinders that hold my attention the whole way. Another thing is the bigger physical size of the groove in the 2 minute recordings. This allows for more volume and in my opinion, a much better quality in the fidelity of the reproduced sound. A wax cylinder in excellent shape can really sound good, and so can many of the celluliod Indestructibles.

Just my two minutes... er, cents.

Martin

A bunch of good reasons for the 2min point of view, well explained!
Nostalgia is going to buy the phonograph.... I feel that he only needs a small punch to go in!

I'd like to add that based on the photos, it appears that the reproducer stylus is worn and is starting to cause noticeable wear to the records. The stylus can be "turned" to fix this, but I don't think of that as a beginner job. Just one more factor to consider.

I would agree that if a 2/4 machine can be found in the same price range, it would be a better option.

Thank you to everyone for giving their opinions. Now I also learned much about the different machines, 2 min and 4 min etc.
Taking into consideration the long drive to pick up the machine, that would cost probably € 80, in addition to the tiring driving, I have decided to skip this machine.
I also don't know what the end price will be, since the highest bid now was € 250.
In due time another Edison phonograph will show up, and meanwhile..I can consider what machine to go for, IF I ever buy one.
I must say the Amberola that you posted a photo of Roger......looks very interesting:) I have not even seen such a machine before!

If I were looking for a first cylinder machine, a 2/4 combination model would be a good choice. An Amberola is also a great idea. Keep hunting and you will find something better.

The ultimate test for cylinders is the accidental drop test... drop a black or brown wax cylinder (or press it onto a mandrel too hard) and see what happens...

Do the same with a celluloid Indestructible or Blue Amberol and nothing happens...