The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I know some of you are going to shutter. But now and then something is in the shape where saving it as a phonograph isn't worth it. This machine had reached that point to me. I had attempted to save it when I got it and did some major work to the lid which was totally coming apart from torn veneer. But after a lot of time and effort and placing it in the house for a while, the veneer split apart again and made for a very unsightly top when the lamp was on it. Plus it had the smallest horn which wasn't the best at sound reproduction. To top it off the motor became nearly uncontrollable from noise. I finally decided to part out the best parts which one of our members purchased for a machine he was fixing.

A friend of mine who had rescued a stray cat as me If I could make her a house for her cat. I said I would look at ideas. So it turned out that the Edison was about to mimic the Valhalla Scene from Wagner soon and we decided that perhaps it could be remodeled and given a new life. I had to cut the machine in half as it was a console and placed the other end next to the existing center wall. I created a new front with a window from a picture frame I had on hand. A small second floor perch across the rear portion since cats like to get up on things. The lid still lifts for adding straw for winter or cleaning. The finished version had some added black paint on the edges of the doors canopies and a little decorative flourish on the area above the window and door to add interest. A couple two by fours were fashioned to create a raised effect and get it off the ground. So far the kitty is enjoying her new palace. Would edison be pleased with the new "kitty rest".

Larry

When you re-build those Edisons, they sure do PURRRRR

I think my cat would enjoy something like that. Gotta be better than making firewood out of it.....

larryh wrote: Would edison be pleased with the new "kitty rest".

No, because it's not wired for DC current. So kitty could warm itself by the glow of the Edison electric light. And the Edison electric cat scratcher, and the Edison electric automatic portioning feed bowl.

Nothing wrong with that, at least the cabinet can live on in some useful
function. I have an empty Brunswick cabinet that is serving as
a "cat perch".

I don't mean to be morbid but my clam shell machine might be best used as a kitty coffin.

Jerry B. wrote:I don't mean to be morbid but my clam shell machine might be best used as a kitty coffin.

It might be a little cramped in there for a cat, but we buried our deceased rabbit in
the backyard last year. Maybe we could use your clamshell phono for a luxurious reburial?

Thanks for the comments, I rather expected so harsh words but I guess we all have had machines that weren't worth trying make as viable phonographs anymore. It was a fun challenge to turn it into something useable rather than totally destroy it. I like a challenge.

Larry

Personally I think it's a pretty stylish home for a couple of cats. Best if they are named William and Mary but I suppose Thomas, Alvah, Charles, Mina and a few other names would also be appropriate. Certainly better than relegating it all to the trash heap and very well done!

Could you show us some pics of the inside? I"m curious as a cat!