The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is in Australia and has needle cups. The tag says Edison and not Edisonic, there is no word “trademark“ under Edison’s signature, it also has the external speed control which is later. Was this end of production where they were just throwing them together with leftover parts? It’s a real beauty.

My initial thought is that the cabinet has been refinished, and the Edisonic decal replaced with what is there. The finish on the interior shot looks different than other original examples I have seen. But if original, maybe some decal variance for export?

I believe the speed control is actually earlier; Edison did away with the above-bedplate control design on the Long Play and Edisonic machines (I think to cut costs?). Having one is a lot more convenient though.

The needle cups would certainly be a later modification I would think.

But nevertheless, it’s not every day you see a Beethoven, with cabinet pulls, legs, and stretcher intact!

pg1876 wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:03 pm My initial thought is that the cabinet has been refinished, and the Edisonic decal replaced with what is there. The finish on the interior shot looks different than other original examples I have seen. But if original, maybe some decal variance for export?

I believe the speed control is actually earlier; Edison did away with the above-bedplate control design on the Long Play and Edisonic machines (I think to cut costs?). Having one is a lot more convenient though.

The needle cups would certainly be a later modification I would think.

But nevertheless, it’s not every day you see a Beethoven, with cabinet pulls, legs, and stretcher intact!

I would concur with all of the above. The above bedplate speed control was removed because there was no real need for it. All Diamond Discs play at 80 rpm (except possibly some very late electrics), so once the speed was set correctly at the factory, there was really no need for the customer to change it, at least not for Diamond Discs. The speed can still be adjusted (within a fairly narrow range) below the bedplate, but it's not easy. It certainly makes it very impractical to try to use a lateral disc adapter.

Pardon my ignorance, but what, besides the cabinet style, makes this an Edisonic?

Beautiful cabinet BTW.

JerryVan wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:14 pm Pardon my ignorance, but what, besides the cabinet style, makes this an Edisonic?

Beautiful cabinet BTW.

The term Edisonic was mostly a commercial branding to sell machines that play the electrically recorded diamond discs. I have a Schubert and mechanically it is the same as the prior Edison machines, same soundbox, same motor with dual large springs, the only particular I noticed being a large horn that is longer in its vertical portion that those utilized in the older machines. I do not hear any difference in sound when I play records (electrically or acoustically recorded) in the Schubert and in the A&N, that has also a large horn about the same bell area but different shape. I think that the only machines called Edisonic were the Schubert and the Beethoven shown above.

JerryVan wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:14 pm Pardon my ignorance, but what, besides the cabinet style, makes this an Edisonic?

Beautiful cabinet BTW.

The Edisonic reproducer and longer horn are characteristics of the ‘Edisonic’ line.

Thanks Carlos & John!