Edison Standard Model E

[MikeB]

Hi -

I own an Edison Standard Model E, equipped with a Model N reproducer. It plays 4 minute cylinders. Can this machine be made to play 2 minute records, or is it strictly a 4 minute machine? Thanks!

[gramophoneshane]

To be honest, I'm not sure. I'd imagine it is, but the Model E is a pretty rare machine as far as Edison Standards go, so I think it would be a shame to mess with it.
For the price of the conversion you could most likely nearly buy a much more common Model B 2 or 2/4 minute Standard anyway.

[Phonofreak]

The Model E Standard only plays 4 minute cylinders. I'd leave the machine alone and enjoy the 4 minute records.
Harvey Kravitz

[MicaMonster]

If you swap on the gearing parts from a Standard Model D, it can be converted, BUT, (and this is a BIG BUT) you would be creating something that is not a Standard E.

You would also need to get something with a 2M stylus that fits that carriage type (like a Model O, which is 2/4 min)

[MikeB]

Thanks very much. I guess I was just wondering if the gearing on this machine was originally made to be converted. I wasn't intending to swap any parts, except for the reproducer. The inside of the lid has a label from a Model D which describes how to convert between 2/4 minutes, which just added to my confusion. The machine is definitely a Model E, though. I just came across a good number of early Columbia brown wax cylinders at a swap meet, most of which are unmarked, so I wanted to play them and find out what is on them. I guess I'll just have to wait until a 2 minute machine come along.

[Shane]

My main cylinder player is exactly what is being discussed here- a Standard Model E that I converted over to a 2/4 machine. I bought a set of 2/4 gears from a Standard D, a Model C reproducer, and a reducer ring to go into the large style carriage to accommodate the C. I believe the whole setup cost me about $150 or so.

It might not be "historically correct", but it does work well, and I keep the original model E gear in a plastic bag inside the machine. As I understand it, the model E is rare because Edison thought nobody owned or cared about 2 minute cylinders anymore. He was wrong, and the next model (F) went back to the 2/4 format.

[gramophoneshane]

He was wrong, and the next model (F) went back to the 2/4 format.

All the more reason to leave an "E" as is IMO. But then it is possible to convert it back to 4 minute only.
You must have bought the parts for yours fairly cheaply Shane?
If I remember correctly, a good reducer ring seldom goes for under $60, and a C reproducer seldom under $100.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

The Model E was cooked up for Babson Brothers in Chicago to sell via mail order to their mainly rural and small town clientele. Hence its straight flowered horn at I time when such items were becoming old fashioned everywhere else. The machines were also offered through the dealers so that anyone reading a Babson ad could go to the local Edison agent and get a similar machine : The National Phonograph company was always sensitive to the fact that the dealers felt that Babson tended to cut into their sales...and they were probably right. That said, I don't think the Model E was were pushed very hard by the local dealers, and complete like this it's not a particularly common machine, consequently I think I'd leave it as it is. It's in lovely shape.

Jim

[martinola]

The inside of the lid has a label from a Model D which describes how to convert between 2/4 minutes, which just added to my confusion.

I've seen quite a few model Es with the "change of reproducers" sticker inside the lid. As far as I can tell, many of the model E machines were converted from unsold stock of model D machines. Sometimes one sees an un-messed-with E with a sticker inside the lid with a very large "E". These all seem to be pasted-over the model D sticker. Mine has the E sticker mostly torn off (no doubt somebody wanted to read the sticker underneath).

The model Es are nice machines and display well (especially with its blue flowered horn).

Regards,

Martin

[MikeB]

I've often wondered about the sticker, and I also have heard that some other Model E's have the sticker for the Model D inside the lid. My machine is in excellent condition and appears original with the exception of the crane and possibly the horn, which is a large red morning glory model rather than the blue flowered horn, though of the same period. Does anyone know if other horn options were originally offered on this model, or was it just the blue flowered horn?

Thanks --
Mike