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Recently I purchased an Edison Gem phonograph. When I attempted to put in a model C reproducer i noticed the carriage arm appears to be designed for a smaller diameter reproducer. Is this an aftermarket part, or did some Gems come with smaller reproducers? There are two small thumb screws that hold the reproducer on at the 12 and 6 position instead of the side screw. Have I added another impossible part search to my collection?

You raised an interesting question so I checked my copy of Frow and Sefl's "The Edison Cylinder Phonographs". On page 68 it says "For such a small machine much variation is found, particularly in the early ones; A. Sefl (A.P.S. Journal Vol. V No. 1) reports 29 variations in the Model A alone, and one can expect there to be more."

You describe a carriage like the one on my branded case Model A Gem. On mine, the reproducer is put in the carriage and turned to the right and locked by the two screws at top and bottom of the carriage. The opening in the carriage is smaller than one for a C reproducer. I'm afraid you are looking for a special Gem reproducer.

Jerry Blais

Yours was set up for the Gem Speaker which was the first reproducer offered for the Gem.

As mentioned above, if you have a Gem Model A you should have the referenced reproducer.

If however you have a Drip Pan Gem, you should have one of these two variants:

No, mine has a lid and wooden base. Are these made in reproduction, or are they available, or do I have another fine decorater item?

Rizbone,

I would purchase a later carriage that accommodates the Model C reproducer so you can complete machine and play. Then, if you want to keep your machine original, search out a Gem Speaker at shows or Ebay.

Andersun wrote:Rizbone,

I would purchase a later carriage that accommodates the Model C reproducer so you can complete machine and play. Then, if you want to keep your machine original, search out a Gem Speaker at shows or Ebay.

I second that advice. Those early Gem Reproducers aren't noted for their fidelity anyway, so convert your machine to a Model C Reproducer. I have seen the early Gem Reproducers at shows, so if you're patient I'm sure you'll find one.

Good luck!

George P.

Thanks all, I'll probably wait utnil one turns up as I prefer to keep the machines original if possible and I already have a few machines to play the cylinders on.

Replacing the carriage with a B or C reproducer was a legitimate upgrade by the original owner. I have an early Home with a 14XX S/N from 1898 that was upgraded to 2/4 min around 1908/9. For years I thought about looking for a brass mandrel and bringing it back to original 1898 standards, but decided against that. It would destroy the history of the machine. In your case, I would upgrade it so you can enjoy the machine. Complete Branded case Gems turn up at shows , other collectors, and ebay.
Hope this helps,
Harvey Kravitz

has anybody simply concidered the model B rep, in europe it was prety comon

gretings
tino