The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am used to seeing this on common Victrola models. Its a travesty on a 1A.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Edison-Amberola ... 2c63aceb17

What's the problem? I have poor eye sight, must be missing something.
It's an Amberola 1A. Rare machine, rare cabinet.
Bill Cahill

Bill Cahill wrote:What's the problem?

"The cabinet was originally fumed oak, but a previous owner has refinished the exterior using a golden oak stain." I agree, it really is a travesty of an original finish.

I think the problem is that the outside of the machine should be the same colour/finish as the inside of tthe machine, like on the drawer fronts.
Somebody stripped the original dark oak finish from the outside & turned what would have been a very attractive machine, into a tall yellow blob
It's somewhat reversible of course, but I hope the original finish they removed wasn't just in need of a good clean and wax.

gramophoneshane wrote:I think the problem is that the outside of the machine should be the same colour/finish as the inside of tthe machine, like on the drawer fronts.

The obvious discrepancy of outside and inside is only the sad outcome, but not the key problem: it is an absolute no-go to falsify the finish in this way. Some of us collect phonograph data. If the "stripper" had finished his job, Amberola 1A (Nr. 484) would now have been falsely registered with golden oak finish, which was an option to special order, possibly leading to confusion among the researchers.

Starkton wrote:

gramophoneshane wrote:I think the problem is that the outside of the machine should be the same colour/finish as the inside of tthe machine, like on the drawer fronts.

The obvious discrepancy of outside and inside is only the sad outcome, but not the key problem: it is an absolute no-go to falsify the finish in this way. Some of us collect phonograph data. If the "stripper" had finished his job, Amberola 1A (Nr. 484) would now have been falsely registered with golden oak finish, which was an option to special order, possibly leading to confusion among the researchers.

I agree but fortunately the inside was left in the correct finish so, an expert restorer could come pretty close to bringing it back to it's original color, using the inside as a reference. I'm willing to bet though that the original finish was just fine, probably a little dull and could have easily just been cleaned up.

O.K. But two things. They also came in golden oak.
As far as being badly described, I agree, but, the outside can be fixed to look like the inside with the proper darker stains, and, finnish.
Isn't fumed oak also dull?
A fairly flat finnish could fix that..
Otherwise, I think it's a very nice machine.....
If I had the money, I'd still go for it...
Also, improper aging through neglect can severely darken a finnish.
I've had my shave of machines like that, including Edison Gems that were supposed to be dark antique oak, but, had turned absolutely BLACK.
It partly depends on care, or, lack of it there of....
Bill Cahill

I agree it's still a desirable machine, even given the significant negative of having been stripped. It's got both reproducers, an attractive dealer decal in addition to the Amberola decal and the inside color is still correct.

I don't think the asking price is crazy for what they are offering. It would be worth picking up and having an expert restore the exterior to it's original color.