The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,
I recently bought a Edison S19 phonograph. This thing works and sounds great. There was an Oro-phone #90 Military reproducer in with the phonograph. But there are no needles with it. Just wondering what type needle I need to get and where is the best place to get them. I would like to play some of my old 78s on it. Also wondering about replacing the needle for the diamond disc. How will I know when to replace it. Thanks in advance for any info.
Sarge29

I'm unfamiliar with that reproducer, but if it takes standard steel needles, go to:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ste ... c=3&_dmd=1

You might want to try medium or even soft needles, as some of those portables can be very loud. Be sure to change needles after every play!

Thanks for the info. I have fell in love with this old phonograph. I had never heard of an Edison S19 Diamond Disc phonograph until I found this one at an auction. I think I got a deal on it as it came with a salesman sample record. This thing has the original oil can and grease cup, both have the Edison label on them. The Oro-phone reproducer was actually on the pipe to the horn but there were no needles with it. I found the diamond disc reproducer inside near the horn. I will try to attach pictures of this reproducer. On the back it has: No. 90 Military Oro-Phone, The Oro-Tone Co. Chicago U.S.A.

Congrats on your find.

It would be good to get those reproducers professionally rebuilt, which on the Edison probably means a new stylus. It won''t be cheap, $100 or so for the diamond stylus but it will sound much better and you will avoid damage to your records from a bad stylus.

That Oro-tone uses standard steel needles, replace after each play. For thin 78 rpm records only NOT FOR THICK EDISONS. Your other reproducer is for the Edison Thick records.

Thanks for all the info. That is what I needed to know. Now to get the old girl playing some 78s.

I recommend that you have an experienced Edison repairman examine the stylus on the Edison reproducer before playing the thick Edison disks. I examine sapphire and diamond stylii using a 50X stereo microscope, but hardly anyone except a good jeweller or biology lab would have one. The stylus tip should be ball-shaped without any flat spot on it.

Thanks, I will get the stylus checked before I use it again. Now to find someone in South Carolina that knows what they are looking at. Any ideas?