The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thinking out loud here, nothing serious. It's been awhile since I had a good display for my cylinder phonographs. I have a Home B converted to 2/4, Fireside A, Gem A, Standard C, and Amberola 30. Of course.
Only the 30 is fully working at present, though the Fireside works but has no horn. The Home and Standard both have rebuilt motors but are not fully restored, although I'm not far from restoring the rest of the Home.

It would make sense, I think, to either redo the Fireside A and use that, or finish the Home, and get rid of everything else save for the 30 (which I'm keeping because it is an amazing machine even though they are super common and low value.) The Home doesn't work, something wrong with the top works, but it's saveable. I don't have the requisite massive Victorian house for all of the dangly cylinder horns in, so they don't all get to stay.

My record collection is mostly 78s and Diamond Discs. The acoustic Panatrope plays better than my Victrola XIV and I have been putting a lot of mileage on the Victor 3 until it broke a winding ratchet again. I'd rather have fewer machines to upkeep, that goes for typewriters and radios as well, so I want to start sacrificing surplus machines.

It'd be nice to get one really fine Edison cylinder machine but I do want to get rid of some first. Did that with Diamond Discs--passed up loads of "starter" machines until I bought an A-200 full of records, which has been all I need and a great deal of fun. I'm not averse to a Triumph or a Home D/F but it will require fewer phonographs first.

A Fireside with a cygnet horn is the one I would focus on completing and keeping. It is small and can play both 2 and 4 minute records.

I agree with Ken. The Fireside is the most interesting of your cylinder machines. It looks good with either the small M/G horn or a Cygnet and it's versatile playing both two and four minute cylinders. Also, it's the most infrequently seen of the cylinder machines in your collection. My Opinion.

Jerry B.

I agree with everyone else regarding the Fireside..... The only thing I will add is you may consider keeping the Amberola 30 as a "workhorse" machine to play your four minute cylinders, to give that Fireside a break, periodically. Regarding the 30, sale prices don't seem too wonderful right now and you may not get a lot a large sum for it, if you were to sell it. The mechanics are pretty straightforward, also, it doesn't take up "too much" room.

Sorry to complicate it... LOL

- Chris (Granby)

Keep your fireside, diamond disc, and standard lateral.

Thanks all.

The Fireside stays, but I want to refinish it again if I'm keeping the cabinet it has. I don't like seeing morning glory horns on machines drilled for cygnet brackets, so if I do a red m/g horn I will probably recase the machine.

Also the 30 stays because I have had it the longest and I like 4 minute cylinders. It sounds good too and is the most reliable phonograph I own.

Still divided on the Edison Home B, which I don't know what to do with.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:17 am
Still divided on the Edison Home B, which I don't know what to do with.

Charles,

Keep the Home for now. As I see it, there is no pressure to make a decision. When it's time to either keep it or sell it, you'll know for sure.

More I figure on this topic--

I took the plunge & sold the Amb 30. Surprisingly, not bothered. It's been a few months now & I do not find it a problem to not have it; I find it a problem my Edison Home 2/4 does not run.

I literally found a Standard B in an old steamer trunk in my apartment & got it going somewhat--needs some loosening up but it seems to turn when not playing a record. Why did I find a cylinder machine I forgot I owned?

The thing I need to be doing is getting out of collecting, period. This is out of hand. I am getting married in December or thereabouts if all goes well to a young lady who enjoys my odd hobbies and is OK with me rambling about cats, horses, phonographs, clocks, pump-organs and trains. She will probably not be ok with living in a messy house that looks like an old guy's garage.

There either needs to be a yard sale or a burn plle-

If you want one cylinder machine which will do everything I would sell the collection and buy a Triumph with Cygnet horn, combination gearing, Diamond B and Model O reproducers. Then you can play 2 or 4 Minute, wax or celluloid cylinders, and you will have a motor powerful enough for recording. Add a Music Master horn and the sound quality should be as good as an Opera.

Hey, if it makes you feel any better, you are not alone! I am in a similar situation, but "fast forwarded" about 18 years, LOL. I am happily married to a wife that tolerates my collecting of phonographs, clocks, glassware, china, etc. And, similar to you, I am well aware that I need to stop buying stuff! I own a large, historic, home and everything was pretty balanced until recently.... but things are starting to get a cluttered look in places! I really had hoped to slow down on my "buying" before it got out of hand....

So, the million dollar question..... how do we stop buying what we love? I know many of us are passionate about our collections and it isn't really about the money. Do we just never check Facebook Marketplace again or walk into an antiques store? Hard to do, right??? And, I am a little embarrassed to admit, but selling this stuff gets a little emotional sometimes. I will admit it!

All kidding aside, we can do it if we approach it slowly. We just need to be selective on where we sell our phonographs and try and get them to a good home. Just don't send them to your local auction house that sells at "no reserve"......

And, I guess we need to slow down on the buying, too....