The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/clt/1027199853.html

Is this worth it for a fixer-upper or is it more trouble than it's worth?

I'd say no...looks like there's no reproducer and the cabinet is rough. By the time you'd be done with it, you'd have about $200 in at least time and parts for a $100 machine!

Sean

I personally would go for it. It's only $50, and for me, the process of restoration is its own reward. That, and it's nothing new for me to spend more money restoring a machine than the machine is worth. I guess I consider it the cost of having a hobby.

Understood and agreed if it was something a bit nicer like a C-19 or even a C-150, S-19 or something a little more substantial, but A-100s have a dinky horn and really don't sound that hot, not to mention those legs make for a very wobbly DD machine.

Believe me, I've put way more time money and energy into many machines others would have kicked to the curb.

Sean

For me, the dinky machines are the best ones to hone your skills on. I'm far from an expert, but I hate to think what my VTLA would look like right now if I didn't have the opportunity to really muck up a line of more common machines.

Again, it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

I agree, it could get expensive to restore that A-100. But I'm not objective at all concerning what it takes to save these from the junk pile. I bet others on the board have a stash of machines just waiting in line to be restored. You can get a better A-100 or similar restorable machine for a few more bucks, certainly a lot less that your cost to restore this particular A-100!. Few of us are realistic about the value of our restoration work, it's a lot of fun. Fun can be expensive, have you looked around lately?

Just a suggestion: Put together some budgetary costs to restore this machine- grill $90-$120, reproducer $50, crank $20, supplies and other costs $40, labor cost to repair/restore, maybe some cost to nickle plate some items. Subtract from those costs from the collector price, say $300, even (less for a dealer buy price) and you can see the numbers don't work. It might be worth $25 to take it away. Also, for $25 you might not mind having it sit in storage.

Some dealers said the A-100 didn't sell well because there was no place to store records except in record albums on the shelf. Edison later developed what looks like a wooden file cabinet box with a drawer to store records on the bottom open shelf. I have this unusual add-on box on my A-100, it adds some cabinet stability to the thin turned legs. It's a relatively small diamond disc machine, fits nicely just about anywhere. In production from 1915-1917, although still available for sale from dealer inventory as late as 1920. George Frow's The Edison Disc Phonographs has much more color on the Edison Model A-100. Hope this helps.

Jack

Yeah, but it's only 50 clams! One could probably dicker with him too...and for say, 35 bucks , if you have the space it would be a good parts machine. They're not that common either: I've only seen two "in the wild" over many years.

JRT

I suppose it comes down to what you mean when you say "worth it?" Is it an economically wise investment if you're looking to sell it? Probably not. Are you looking for project to kill some time and hone your restoration skills. Sure, why not.

Whereas some look at the "value of your time" and the materials you put into restoration, I look at it as you pay some money for the sake of having a hobby.

All depends on your perspective.

PhonoJack wrote: Edison later developed what looks like a wooden file cabinet box with a drawer to store records on the bottom open shelf. I have this unusual add-on box on my A-100, it adds some cabinet stability to the thin turned legs.

Jack

I have an A-100. I'd love to find that wooden storage box you mention for my machine. Do they ever turn up at the shows?

Also, I agree w/ the comments concerning the leg stability of this model. There's quite a bit of weight sitting on those 4 skinny legs! As a matter of fact, when I move I don't think I'll let the movers touch this one. I can already image what would happen in transit.

Hey 3Victrolas,

I don't ever remember seeing an A-100 at any of the shows let alone the record storage box. But I do believe I read something about these boxes that were availabe on other Edison machines were inadvertantly tossed because they are held in place with four screws. Blame it on a long day, but also I think I remember seeing a photo/story of a box that didn't look like it fit because the drawer opened from the side? Anybody remember this?

I wouldn't let the movers touch this one either. You know what they say about skiny legs and top heavy.... well never mind.

Jack