The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had mentioned early this week about doing something with my Amberola 30, so here’s the story.

I’ve wanted to find a credenza ever since I brought the Cortez home. This past week a nice credenza popped up on Facebook and I messaged her. I couldn’t afford to spend money on another machine, and I already made a great trade earlier in the week so I decided to test my luck again. I asked her if she would be interested in another phonograph as a trade, and she said no at first. She was down sizing and needed the space. I told her I had a much smaller one I just finished restoring I would be willing to trade for it. When I sent her the pictures she seemed to really like it because she agreed to the trade. I went with my friend and we took it home in his truck. I traded her my restored Amberola 30 with a few cylinders for the credenza. I was excited to see a bunch of count Basie records in it too I am kind of sad the Amberola is not in my collection anymore; but since an Amberola 30 is much easier to find than a credenza I’m happy with the trade.

The good: the cabinet is in really nice shape, and the motor just needs the usual cleaning. The lid pistons seem to work okay but I haven’t quiet been able to make it work 100% if the time.

The bad: the pot metal reproducer is cracked. But for now I am just using my orthophonic from the 2-55 portable.

I have heard different things about sealing the horns on these machines. Is it necessary?

So here’s some pics.

David

Wow! It's nice! And both you glad! Congratulations!

Your credenza looks really great. I use a reproducer from a portable 55 on my 8-10 and it's so loud I generally use bamboo fibre needles. I'm sure that in a large room, a loud tone needle would be perfect and bring the best fidelity with a VE record. I really want a Cortez next, but a nice example doesn't come up often. Congratulations.

Nice. Credenzas were available in both mahogany and walnut. From your photos, I believe yours is probably walnut.

I agree with your assessments. Having recently acquired a Cortez, I believe that while it has a nice sound, its bass response is less than the Credenza. The best seat for listening to a Credenza is directly inline with the horn, which is why I have a comfortable chair in the optimum position across the room from it. Enjoy!

dzavracky wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:33 am I have heard different things about sealing the horns on these machines. Is it necessary?

Like any acoustic machine, leaks between the soundbox and the mouth of the horn can reduce performance, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I suggest that you look for obvious leaks and fix them. One place that caused an issue on my first Credenza was a loose connection between the metal "throat" and the horn. Once I tightened the screw and nut visible in the photo, the leak was gone and performance improved dramatically.

Congrats on the Credenza. They are great sounding machines.

AZ* wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 5:22 pm

dzavracky wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:33 am I have heard different things about sealing the horns on these machines. Is it necessary?

Like any acoustic machine, leaks between the soundbox and the mouth of the horn can reduce performance, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I suggest that you look for obvious leaks and fix them. One place that caused an issue on my first Credenza was a loose connection between the metal "throat" and the horn. Once I tightened the screw and nut visible in the photo, the leak was gone and performance improved dramatically.
IMG_1709.JPG

I will check when I have some time! I sort of expected the credenza to be louder… but I am using medium tone needles. So maybe I should get some loud ones.

David

Looks like an early 1926 model. (4 doors, self supporting arm, turntable at the center) very nice.

dzavracky wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 5:56 pm

AZ* wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 5:22 pm

dzavracky wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:33 am I have heard different things about sealing the horns on these machines. Is it necessary?

Like any acoustic machine, leaks between the soundbox and the mouth of the horn can reduce performance, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I suggest that you look for obvious leaks and fix them. One place that caused an issue on my first Credenza was a loose connection between the metal "throat" and the horn. Once I tightened the screw and nut visible in the photo, the leak was gone and performance improved dramatically.
IMG_1709.JPG

I will check when I have some time! I sort of expected the credenza to be louder… but I am using medium tone needles. So maybe I should get some loud ones.

David

If your Cortez and your Credenza are like mine, the Cortez will win out for sheer volume. But, volume isn't everything. The Credenza should have better bass and a more full sound, (in my opinion of course).

You found a very nice example there! So often, the finish on the lid is shot. Mine are walnut as well, which I tend to like a bit better.

Cortez's play acoustic records better than Credenza's do. They are like Swiss Army Knives. A Cortez and a Brunswick with Ultona can play anything well. Two machines that do it all.