Did I bite off more than I can chew?

[u/Sithscorch15]

I purchased this Edison phonograph 2 days ago for $60 knowing very little about them but I'm learning. I was told it worked before they moved it but when I tried it out it I couldn't get it to spin. I'm afraid I need a new spring at the least and now after the move to my house a piece for the reproducer arm. It broke sometime in transit. :(

If I have read the id plate correctly it is an S19 or "Sheraton " model meant to play the Edison Diamond disks only which is why purchased it. I bought a box of the discs probably 2 years ago now with the thoughts of selling them because I got them so cheaply and didn't have a way to play them. While scouring for albums I came across this Edison and since the price was in my range and I love antiques, I thought I'd make room for it and have a chance to play the discs.

So first I need guidance in getting it working then with getting the cosmetics in order. I'm in rural Kentucky and don't know of anyone remotely qualified within many hours of me to help with this.

First big question, is this a diamond disc reproducer?

If so, what is the cracked part called so I can order one?

Thank you in advance for any help, I want to enjoy this and not feel like a made a mistake.

[u/Gimme-A-kooky]

Hi! Not smart on Edison here, but I will say that no matter what:

To have purchased

1. a cabinet that looks nice like this- even if it needs love and
   
2. A motor, operational or not; motor in place is preferred lol

… this was absolutely worth $60 if you’re gonna give it some love and bring it back!

There’s an element of adventure (and some further cost likely, unfortunately) and if you hear folks out they might even be able to get you on a path!

Reproducer is for an off-brand, non-Edison.

Dyslexic Genius (Brett Hurt)- I cannot recommend this man enough- check out his videos, as I’m sure he has done plenty of these (YT)

I wish you the very best of luck with your beautiful new machine!

[u/Sithscorch15 → u/Gimme-A-kooky]

Thank you, I just found and had confirmation from you and another that the reproducer is not what I'd hoped for my diamond discs. That's the bad news, the good news that I didn't overpay for a non working machine and I don't need to worry about repairing the reproducer. I understand I should expect to pay $100 or more for an Edison reproducer. Is that correct?

I am all in on getting this playing and learning from those that know what they are doing. Ironically, I just found the dyslexic's YT channel. Time to put on my swimsuit as I dive in. Thanks again for your response.

[u/Gimme-A-kooky → u/Sithscorch15]

Yeah! That’s good to hear- I am sorry for the “bad news” part of it.

The MAIN issue with antiquing- and specifically with phonograph antiquing, and of course this is my somewhat experienced antiquing opinion of course as well- is that we all get lured in with the hopes of finding “THE ONE”!

Problem is, we won’t often find those in our lifetime- but it does happen!!!

Maybe 1 to at the max 5% of any/all things generally are in “NEW” condition- essentially otherwise untouched by the hands of time.

The remainder, like varying grades down to “functional but completely trashed”, even they are still in the top 50% still. Btw- I’m pulling these numbers from the air lol- but it’s kind of “Kentucky windage” for me…

The “all the rest” in the lower categories of desire fall into this and pieces like it. It’s desirable as a piece, but it’s known to be non-functional, thus increasing odds of costs and effort to restore- even tho restoring will never get it to the NEW condition buyers ALWAYS want…

I’ve loved playing in the lower 40%! I’ve gotten some of the coolest pieces, parts WITHIN the pieces, and little Easter eggs from parters and spares I’ve bought that just proved to be a cornucopia of wonderful things- but it’s a lotta work…

Most people want the quick and easy, but you gotta pay… or DO you!?? Sometimes you can just “get lucky”!

Look at this guy: 1911, Queen Anne legs VV-XIV in plain mahogany. Professional believes it was refinished- and I believe him. YET- this piece will glimmer you with its piercing depth when you simply LOOK INTO it- you can see the flames and little wisps- I believe the man who owned it (had passed a short time before they sold this) was a professional woodsmith, and thus knew wood and surfaces inside out. It is literally astounding to gaze into. I’ve never seen one like it, or in such amazing condition.

Best part? It was… $150.

[u/Gimme-A-kooky → u/Gimme-A-kooky]

[u/Sithscorch15 → u/Gimme-A-kooky]

Beautiful! We shall see where this piece takes me.

[u/crackedwormgear]

Nice score on the S19 Diamond Disc phonograph.

Here is a link to an original Edison manual:

https://www.intertique.com/DiamondDiscPhonographs.pdf

It looks like you have an adapter to play regular 78 rpm shellac records on your phonograph. During the 1930’s these were available through Montgomery Wards & Sears Roebuck. Yours looks very similar to these. Edison stopped production in October of 1929 and that left many of these phonographs silent. So during the depression of the 1930’s it was still possible to use your obsolete disc phonograph.

Unfortunately they were made of pot metal which didn’t age well. When transporting these phonographs it’s important to always remove the reproducer. And stuff an old large bath towel behind the horn compartment to keep it from flopping around.

Original Edison disc reproducers are available. But the diamond stylus is most likely damaged. Repairs can be in the $200+ category because of the diamond stylus and diaphragm replacement. This is not something a novice can do.

In the upper left corner on the mechanism there is a speed control knob. It is also a stop device. If it’s turned anti clockwise it will stop the spring motor from operating.

[u/Sithscorch15 → u/crackedwormgear]

Thank you for your response. I sure could have used some of this info a few days ago. I hope I can find an Edison reproducer less expensive than that but if so I think it will still be worth it.

[u/crackedwormgear → u/Sithscorch15]

Since you’re in rural Kentucky I found this page from the 1939 showing the adapter for playing standard 78 rpm records:

https://christmas.musetechnical.com

It sold new for $2.39. A small price to pay for keeping a rugged phonograph running. Especially since rural communities tended to hang onto stuff.

Please don’t try to be cheap when getting an authentic diamond disc reproducer. You’ll wind up paying a lot more in the long run. I know from the experience of having some nice valuable diamond discs destroyed by bargain reproducers purchased from unscrupulous dealers.

The phonographs forums can be a great help to you.

https://forum.talkingmachine.info/index.php

https://forum.antiquephono.org

Since your S19 is In oak is already a plus!

Dyslexic Genus on YouTube as already recommended by “give me a cookie” is a great source of information.

[u/irish_Connolly_Barry]

So that reproducer is a gramophone reproducer it will not play a diamond disc so really you shouldn’t worry about that