The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi can anyone tell me what I would have to expect to pay for an amerola 50, fully restored? Many thanks Gordon.

You should be able to buy an Amberola 50 in good working order from $300 to $500. Mahogany is more common than oak. Jerry

I am a newbie and my budget is always limited. Let me share my limited experience as a newbie.

When I searched for my first real phonograph to purchase, I ordered the book "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric Reiss at the same time. It's a very helpful and comparatively inexpensive book. I have been doing all reapirs DIY following that book and other resource on the internet. Also, ask questions here when you encounter phonograph-related problems and try to make friends with local collectors.

Maybe that's me but I feel that keeping machines made 80 or 90 years ago means one has to deal with broken parts on a regular base. It's simply not practical to have EVERYTHING done by a professional!

debndunk wrote:Hi can anyone tell me what I would have to expect to pay for an amerola 50, fully restored? Many thanks Gordon.

Thanks fella's for the input. I'll take on board all your answers to my questions. Gordon.

ewok wrote:...

Maybe that's me but I feel that keeping machines made 80 or 90 years ago means one has to deal with broken parts on a regular base. It's simply not practical to have EVERYTHING done by a professional!

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I may be taking your quote too literally, but I have found that these machines RARELY break, they do occasionally break, but it is rare. More often than not, you will come across a broken machine and once it is repaired, one should not have major issues. They can be, however, a bit finicky at times requiring minor adjustments to keep them playing well.

Having said that, I do agree with you, having ones machines maintained professionally would be prohibitively expensive. Having them professionally fixed, then dealing with the temperaments oneself should be a skill easily learned by just about anyone.

Others can comment.

Brad: Likewise, in my experience, breakage of any kind rarely happens. Two broken springs over the last 40+ years; those broke while playing, not while winding. The rest of my endeavors has been restoration (new reproducer gaskets, etc.), adjustments and routine oiling.

VintageTechnologies wrote:Brad: Likewise, in my experience, breakage of any kind rarely happens. Two broken springs over the last 40+ years; those broke while playing, not while winding. The rest of my endeavors has been restoration (new reproducer gaskets, etc.), adjustments and routine oiling.

same here, once i get a machine running, it stays running, in the last 4 years i have never had a problem with a machine, my edison fireside came as a wreck, even then it only needed a few parts and alot of adjustment and oiling and i have never had a problem with it since

Hmm....maybe I did not have correctly restored machines to begin with and I am still on the first part of my learning curve. However, I have a lot of fun keeping my hands busy (and dirty)!