I agree with you, my Amberola 30 only plays 2 records. My Amberola 50 plays about 3 records. Edison claimed the 30 could play 3 records and the 50 could play 5 records. Who knows, maybe my springs are weaker or maybe it was just marketing hype.
I love my Edison Amberola 30. I had bought a mixed cylinder lot a while back and I did not realize that the wax cylinders can not be played on this. I’m glad I saw your video before I attempted!
My first antique phonograph was an Amberola 30, given to me as a birthday present back in '72. It's a first series machine, with the external speed control. It was in pretty shabby condition: missing the front grille and gear cover, and bad veneer; but it played, after a fashion. I learned the basics of restoration on it; and after many years, I got it back to something resembling original condition. I still enjoy it today.
Thanks for this!!! Just bought this at an auction, my first phonograph. All seems to run fine, though the carriage seems a bit stuck as it doesn't move with the cylinder when played. Hopefully a bit of oil will solve that.
one really important thing for a new owner to check is that little spring that holds the horn up, and the limit screw that secures the base of the horn. I had a machine missing these, and I could not keep the machine from skipping
Some years ago, there was an article about some "hacks" to improve the sonic performance of the 30. These included rubber sheathing on the horn suspension spring, and on the hook which connected it to the horn; as well as a felt or leather insulator on the horn pivot. I tried these, and was impressed by the improvement.
HEADS UP; THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE VERY POOR .....The brackets are held up by small 5/8 'TAPERED' screws into 5/8 inch wood casing. Because these little screws are 'tapered', they loosen over time, due to wiggle/torque of people winding the crank. 'WHEN' a bracket fails, it will 'ALWAYS' break the reproducer neck in the carriage.....or the carriage itself will break. Even simply trying to tighten all these little tapered screws won't help for long. The only real fix is 10-32 machine screws drilled right through the case to fasten the brackets. (NOTHING LOOKS LESS AUTHENTIC THAN OPENING THE 'HOOD' AND SEEING ONE SIDE OF THE MECHANISM DROPPED DOWN CAUSING A BROKEN REPRODUCER). ALWAYS REMOVE THE REPRODUCER WHEN TRANSPORTING. (I've seen 3 unfortunate incidents of model #30 s due to this in the past 6 months).
If you're referring to the wax Amberols, almost any Edison phonograph with 4 minute gearing can play them, using model H, K, N, O, R, or S reproducers. Upgrades were available for most phonographs: for example, I have a model A Triumph from 1902, which was converted to 2/4 minute operation around 1908, and a large, horizontal carriage added. With an O reproducer, I can play both 2 and 4 minute wax cylinders; when I want to play 4 minute celluloid cylinders, I switch to a Diamond B. The later Amberolas used Diamond reproducers exclusively, which, as stated, are not compatible with wax cylinders. A rare exception is the ICS version of the Amberola 30, which used a modified sapphire stylus reproducer.
I don’t remember. You’ll need to pull a screw out of the machine and see if it fits, when you find one that fits, then take it to your local mom and pop, small hardware store and match it.
Just picked up a 1915 Amberola 30 that's been in my family for a long time. It came with 15 cylinders and it sounds incredible, but it could use a good oiling and cleaning. Any idea where to get good advice on how to maintain these? thanks
Look at my video number 385, I use a spray adhesive. Make sure you iron the fabric first to get all the wrinkles out, have some good clamps, and pull firmly.
Hi Mr Genius. Can I ask this question ?. I own a Edison 50 Amberola gramaphone. Can I fix a aluminium foil into the mandrel and allow the reproducer to run over the mandril and use the large sound horn to record a sound. Will it work ?. Will it damage the diamond stylus m ?. Thank you. Professor Gehan Panagoda from university of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Like a tinfoil machine… The foil used on the tin foil phonograph was much heavier than tinfoil of today. Also, the mandrel must have grooves in it because that is where the needle vibrates to record sound. It will not work just on a smooth surface.
Hello! Thank you for your very helpful videos! Could you tell me how to attach the spring from which the horn is hanging inside the box? I bought an Amberola 30 and the spring isn't there... may I replace it for another thing? Thank you!!
You have to take the grill off the front. Then you look inside and there is a little brass hook under the motor someplace. Hook the top of the spring to that and the bottom of the spring to the hook on the bottom Abdul Horn. If the spring is missing, you can buy a replacement from thephonographshop.com.
I agree with you, my Amberola 30 only plays 2 records. My Amberola 50 plays about 3 records. Edison claimed the 30 could play 3 records and the 50 could play 5 records. Who knows, maybe my springs are weaker or maybe it was just marketing hype.
I love my Edison Amberola 30. I had bought a mixed cylinder lot a while back and I did not realize that the wax cylinders can not be played on this. I’m glad I saw your video before I attempted!
My first antique phonograph was an Amberola 30, given to me as a birthday present back in '72. It's a first series machine, with the external speed control.
It was in pretty shabby condition: missing the front grille and gear cover, and bad veneer; but it played, after a fashion. I learned the basics of restoration on it; and after many years, I got it back to something resembling original condition. I still enjoy it today.
Thanks for this!!! Just bought this at an auction, my first phonograph. All seems to run fine, though the carriage seems a bit stuck as it doesn't move with the cylinder when played. Hopefully a bit of oil will solve that.
Start by Oiling all the moving parts with sewing machine oil.
one really important thing for a new owner to check is that little spring that holds the horn up, and the limit screw that secures the base of the horn. I had a machine missing these, and I could not keep the machine from skipping
Some years ago, there was an article about some "hacks" to improve the sonic performance of the 30. These included rubber sheathing on the horn suspension spring, and on the hook which connected it to the horn; as well as a felt or leather insulator on the horn pivot. I tried these, and was impressed by the improvement.
Just bought one. Thanks for the introduction!
HEADS UP; THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE VERY POOR .....The brackets are held up by small 5/8 'TAPERED' screws into 5/8 inch wood casing. Because these little screws are 'tapered', they loosen over time, due to wiggle/torque of people winding the crank. 'WHEN' a bracket fails, it will 'ALWAYS' break the reproducer neck in the carriage.....or the carriage itself will break. Even simply trying to tighten all these little tapered screws won't help for long. The only real fix is 10-32 machine screws drilled right through the case to fasten the brackets. (NOTHING LOOKS LESS AUTHENTIC THAN OPENING THE 'HOOD' AND SEEING ONE SIDE OF THE MECHANISM DROPPED DOWN CAUSING A BROKEN REPRODUCER). ALWAYS REMOVE THE REPRODUCER WHEN TRANSPORTING. (I've seen 3 unfortunate incidents of model #30 s due to this in the past 6 months).
Which models can play the 4 minute black cylinders? Is there a model that can play all the different cylinders?
Yes, any Edison phonograph with a 2-4 minute changer can play all the different cylinders.
If you're referring to the wax Amberols, almost any Edison phonograph with 4 minute gearing can play them, using model H, K, N, O, R, or S reproducers.
Upgrades were available for most phonographs: for example, I have a model A Triumph from 1902, which was converted to 2/4 minute operation around 1908, and a large, horizontal carriage added. With an O reproducer, I can play both 2 and 4 minute wax cylinders; when I want to play 4 minute celluloid cylinders, I switch to a Diamond B.
The later Amberolas used Diamond reproducers exclusively, which, as stated, are not compatible with wax cylinders. A rare exception is the ICS version of the Amberola 30, which used a modified sapphire stylus reproducer.
Hello, need your advise: what is the screw size that fasten governor cover to the main chassis on Amberola 30? Thank you.
I don’t remember. You’ll need to pull a screw out of the machine and see if it fits, when you find one that fits, then take it to your local mom and pop, small hardware store and match it.
Just picked up a 1915 Amberola 30 that's been in my family for a long time. It came with 15 cylinders and it sounds incredible, but it could use a good oiling and cleaning. Any idea where to get good advice on how to maintain these? thanks
Five. Several videos on how to take care of an Edison cylinder Phonograph. Watch them, and you should be able to do it all yourself..
Hello, how would you recommend attaching a replacement grill cloth to the grill. I don’t want to do anything to damage the machine or grill.
Look at my video number 385, I use a spray adhesive. Make sure you iron the fabric first to get all the wrinkles out, have some good clamps, and pull firmly.
@@1974hurt thank you, do you have a good spray adhesive in mind or will any do?
@@diabetesben I use gorilla glue spray adhesive from Walmart but any good spray adhesive Will do, but once you spray you have to work quickly.
@@1974hurt thank you very much. Your videos offer great insight for new collectors like myself.
Nice video!
Would you recommend playing 4 minute indestructible cylinders on the Amberola?
yes I do play them
Hi Mr Genius. Can I ask this question ?. I own a Edison 50 Amberola gramaphone. Can I fix a aluminium foil into the mandrel and allow the reproducer to run over the mandril and use the large sound horn to record a sound. Will it work ?. Will it damage the diamond stylus m ?. Thank you. Professor Gehan Panagoda from university of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Like a tinfoil machine… The foil used on the tin foil phonograph was much heavier than tinfoil of today. Also, the mandrel must have grooves in it because that is where the needle vibrates to record sound. It will not work just on a smooth surface.
@@1974hurt Thank you very much Sir
Hello! Thank you for your very helpful videos! Could you tell me how to attach the spring from which the horn is hanging inside the box? I bought an Amberola 30 and the spring isn't there... may I replace it for another thing? Thank you!!
You have to take the grill off the front. Then you look inside and there is a little brass hook under the motor someplace. Hook the top of the spring to that and the bottom of the spring to the hook on the bottom Abdul Horn. If the spring is missing, you can buy a replacement from thephonographshop.com.
@@1974hurt Thanks a lot!!
My Edison home machine will play 2 and 4 minute cylinders. Can they be played with the same reproducer for all?
No. It needs a C reproducer for 2-minute cylinders and an H for 4-minute.
As I thought. Thank you very much. I enjoy your videos.
@@andrewcari69 A K reproducer will play both 2 and 4 minute cylinders (I have one on my Home); but they can be a bit harder to find.
I have one, can you tell me how you tell how old it is?
They started production in 1915 and ended in 1929,so it depends on your serial number.
Yes, I play blues on it.
i want to you fix it
@@cjedwards5414 no problem! Contact me at dyslexicgeniushurt@gmail.com
So after you turn the crank, how do you start it? I can't find the "play button" or anything that starts the gears to turn.
There is a switch in the front on the bed plate, you just move it over, and then you lower the reproducer onto the cylinder and it will play.
I need a crank for mine. Are the threads the same as modern threads?
Where do I get parts I am doin a resto for someone and I need a spring
Call Wyatts Musical Americana, 707-530-5130. He’s making springs. He’s only open Monday thru Wednesday, 9 am -3 pm Pacific time.
Did all of the lower end Amberolas(30, 50, 75) have pot metal reproducers?
Yes, unfortunately.
@@1974hurt Darn. Well Im glad I know that now! Ill stick with my Victor IV. Thank you for the tip!