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Jan 5, 2010, 10:33pm

The Online Edison Phonograph Discussion Board :: Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs :: Diamond Disc Phonograph Discussion Board :: Bought a C-250

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Topic: Bought a C-250 (Read 129 times)

tarheeltinkerer
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Bought a C-250
« Thread Started on Nov 6, 2009, 6:32pm »

This was hard to pass up. The player came with 92 discs (88-89 are still playable), plus the original drawer dividers were present, along with some of the original paper sales sleeves for some of the discs.

For those wonder, YES, you can fit a C-250 in the back of a 2007 Corolla. Unfortunately, I tore up a bit of the door seal, so it's off to get some silicon to repair that.

In terms of the player, the previous owner had this for 25 years...and never played it. He bought is solely to have for decorative value. Some of the DDs in it I doubt were touched in years. Hard to believe, but it is what he told me. The diaphragm's link was disconnected from the stylus when I picked it up...but after reconnecting it, the sound is fantastic.

I am inclined to believe at some point the original felt was replaced. It looks too dark and too good. Felt pieces were present under the bedplate, so if the motor was removed, whoever did it replaced the felt. The decals are in amazing condition for this player.

The bad...the oak is VERY VERY dry. I kept applying linseed oil and the wood was soaking it up like a sponge. The rear legs are very dry and the wood on the edges of the legs is pretty battered. There are some small veneer chips on the bottom and one on the backside. On the backside, the one leg and the panel are starting to separate. As such, I have removed all the discs from the storage drawers, and will probably keep it this way to minimize the weight on the legs. Down the road I'll probably find a furniture expert to repair the legs and just fix the cabinet all-around.

There is no key. One of the two tiny screws holding the key escutcheon is broken off...anyone know where I can get one of these tiny screws? The most annoying issue is that the crank handle is BENT. It works, but needs to be straightened out. I tried straightening it out myself but only made a tiny bit of progress. Lastly, a few of the tiny little trim pieces are missing...mostly in the back.

In terms of the discs, all but five are non-paper labels. Well over half of them are operas or ballets, in some cases there is no flip side on the disc...the one side is merely a continuation of the prior side. A few have what appears to be mold growth on them. I used some alcohol to clean the one off and it plays okay, but very quiet with a lot of white noise...guessing these might be write-offs.

Lastly, the wild thing? The data plate lists this as "SM 6703." It's clearly an early C-250, but it is THIS early?

Anyways, here are the photos:

[image]

« Last Edit: Dec 13, 2009, 6:21pm by tarheeltinkerer »

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larryh
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #1 on Nov 6, 2009, 8:35pm »

Frank,

Boy I am jealous, that is really a nice looking machine. Its the finish I want but so far haven't found at a decent price which yours was. My Chippendale was coming apart at the seams literally with the whole real lid coming off the cabinet at the hinge block. I also had missing parts I was able to recreate and they blend in just fine.

Those records are typical black label ones and sound like they suffered some dampness which is maybe what cause your cabinet damage. I bought a London Console that had been like that and the black label records were all pitiful in sound quality and noise level.

I am glad your having good sound results, that larger horn really makes a difference. It made so much difference I had to move mine to the basement next door where it can really blast out the fine sound. In my small living room it was overwhelming after a while. I do have an oak 1 19 in that room again.

Larry

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #2 on Nov 6, 2009, 9:41pm »

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larryh
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #3 on Nov 6, 2009, 10:02pm »

Wow, it sounds really good! Did you have that record or was it one that came with it? Also that You Tube link played though with only one pause for me. A big improvement over the other system.

Larry

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #4 on Nov 6, 2009, 11:05pm »

This was one of the discs that came with the player. This is also a recording with the original gaskets. I just changed out the gaskets on this reproducer with new ones, so the sound should improve a tad. Guess I'll have to make another recording.

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martinola
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #5 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:19am »

Excellent find, Frank! I love my C-19, but your C-250 in OAK really makes it extra special. (Getting a bunch of records isn't bad either!) Enjoy!

Martin

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #6 on Nov 7, 2009, 8:41am »

Many thanks, Martin. My biggest concern is stabilizing the case and somehow repairing the seam in the back where the one leg is separating from the panel. It's at the very bottom where the oak is driest. My inclination is to just save up and have the case brought to a professional where they can repair the seam and even out or repair some of the damage in back. My view is that it is easy to screw something up and turn a cheap repair into a more expensive repair. For the time being, I'm just liberally oiling the oak to rejuvenate it a bit.

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larryh
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #7 on Nov 7, 2009, 9:22am »

Frank

If your talking about the leg separating from its cabinet joint that isn't totally uncommon, my London Console had the whole one end coming apart where the leg seams met the cabinet. I simply pried it apart a bit more and blew out any dirt and dust, then used a good Elmer's wood glue forcing it in to the crack, the clamping or using ropes that you twist with a screw driver or something to make a tight joint. Sit it on a level surface to try. You have to wipe off the excess glue quickly with a damp cloth too. It your facing simple failed glue joints due to dampness then you can simply reglue them on site.

Larry

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #8 on Nov 7, 2009, 10:39am »

Larry,

Thanks for the info. Maroongem told me the same thing so it's reassuring to know all are in agreement

I'm probably going to wait until January...since I don't have the time at the moment to work on it. While repairing the seam, I'm probably going to change out or remove the wheels and put carpet sliders on the phonograph instead. As of now, the only way I can move it around is with a hand cart!

Frank

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larryh
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #9 on Nov 7, 2009, 10:50am »

Frank,

I had to replace all my C 19 wheels they were either broken or flat on one side due to dragging them when they didn't want to turn.. I was able to purchase new wooden wheels at a home center that fit fine and replaced the old ones. Its nice to be able to roll it a bit if you have to. I don't think it was ever meant to move it over long areas though. A cart is best to keep the strain off the legs.

Larry

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maroongem
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #10 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:54pm »

Frank,

A truly stunning example! I particularly like the early bedplate which is also in amazing condition.
You'd be hard pressed to find one in that condition that hadn't been restored.
Well done!

Bill

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #11 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:59pm »

Bill,

I just wish I knew what the hell I was doing when it comes to cabinet work...I'm more inclined to turn it over to a pro and bite the bullet to ensure it's done right. Guess I have to start reading up on the dos and don'ts on restoring the cabinet.

Frank

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tarheeltinkerer
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #12 on Nov 7, 2009, 5:11pm »

UPDATE: I think I figured out why the seam is separating on the one leg...the player was buy a heat vent or radiator. The wood by the one leg was much lighter, discolored, and rough from drying out. I just applied a ton of linseed oil to the area to try and moisten the wood a bit. The oak keeps soaking it up, so I keep adding a bit here and there.

For what is it worth, there are cracks in the base of the oak legs. Would it be best to try and squirt some wood glue in these cracks (look like drying or stress cracks) to try and seal them off?

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larryh
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Re: Bought a C-250
« Reply #13 on Nov 7, 2009, 7:27pm »

Frank,

Not a 100% sure of that linseed oil fix? I wouldn't get it in to the area you wish to glue as I don't know if the glue would hold to an oily surface, most likely not. If the leg is really showing signs of wide enough cracks to stick a single edged razor blade into you may be able to force some wood glue into the crack. some have used Hypodermic Needles to squirt glue in narrow openings like that. The put a good clamp on the leg and draw it tight and leave it sit to dry. You do have to watch to remove any glue while still wet or it will leave surface marks on the finish.

Same for loose veneer, you can carefully clean any old dirt or dried glue off the wood with a narrow knife blade and then applying glue and weighting it down flat till it sets, or if near an edge where you can get behind you can put a piece waxed paper down and then clamp a block of wood over the loose area to hold it down solid.

Larry

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