The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've always been very fond of the Model C Edison Gem. I was fortunate recently to acquire an extremely clean example of one with the black Gem MG horn. It was just a straight two minute machine missing the horn crane. Luckily for me Shawn O'Rourke posted an original one on the Yankee trader at the time I got the machine, and I snapped it up to complete the machine. Mark Albertson listed on eBay a complete - 2-& 4-minute conversion for a Gem so I thought it would be nice to add this feature to the Gem as well. Unfortunately, the mainsprings in these Gems are a little on the weak side so getting through a 4-minute record was a struggle and sometimes wouldn't make it through, so I ordered a custom spring for it which was 1/32' wider and .001" thicker and that was enough to get through the longest 4-minute recording without effort. I had originally planned on equipping it with a Model K reproducer but saw I had a Model S so I figured I would go "whole hog" with the S. I was also going to put on a Tiz-it connector, but it wouldn't fit due to the horn snout being swollen. I'm still deciding whether to ream out the Tiz-it so it fits on the reproducer snout. It actually sounds better with the rubber connector which gives it a sealed connection. The Tiz-it isn't completely tight but looks good as an accessory.

Looks over sound, it would stands to reason that since you did that work to get it to play the 4 minute cylinders you would want to get the best sound too. I have the same thing with the Edison Standard. I have two that are completely original and a parts machine I got on ebay that was completely junk. I restored that one with everything I could find and that's my display model. If you're going to listen to it then no Tiz-it in my opinion. But if you really want to pimp it out grab some 1000 grit sandpaper and some sewing machine oil and polished both pieces just until the fit perfectly. Slow and tedious jod but it might work for you. Just my opinion I'm not a expert. Good luck

Fantastically fun project and great results as always!!!!!!

Shawn

The photo I posted doesn't do it justice. I need to shoot a Grant Kornberg style photo to show it off

That seems like a future project for me.
What's the source for the spring?

Thanks,
James.