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Post by columbia1930 on Jun 23, 2017 19:49:57 GMT -5
I've recently gotten my hands on a couple of early Amberola 50 machines. Both of them have the low pre-SM serial numbers, so I'm assuming they are from 1915? My original intent was coming up with a good working and looking machine, but in looking for parts came up with the second machine that doesn't look as nice but sounds a lot better. I think that one has had a rebuild on the reproducer. I may send the reproducer from the nicer looking one to Steve Medved at this point. I'm still missing most of the top grille screws for the second machine, can't seem to locate replacements that are authentic looking and the right size but I'm still looking. Was there a date where the "SM" serial numbers began with this model? Thanks for any information. Still learning... Attachments:
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Post by phonogfp on Jun 24, 2017 16:36:36 GMT -5
The "SM" stands for "Spring Motor" and all Amberola 30s, 50s, and 75s are marked that way. Serial numbering began with #1. The reproducers on the two machines shown are painted black, so unless they've been switched out, it's doubtful the machines are from 1915.
George P.
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Post by columbia1930 on Jun 25, 2017 7:41:20 GMT -5
Neither one of these has a serial number beginning with SM. The one on the right originally had a nickel reproducer. The serial number plates are inside the case to the right of the horns.
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Post by columbia1930 on Jun 25, 2017 8:08:42 GMT -5
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Post by columbia1930 on Jun 25, 2017 10:03:29 GMT -5
So as you can see, no evidence of an "SM" in either serial number.
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Post by phonogfp on Jun 25, 2017 10:44:58 GMT -5
I stand corrected! I don't own a 30, 50, or 75 so I shouldn't have gone on memory. Are later examples of these 3 models marked with "SM?"
George P.
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Post by columbia1930 on Jun 25, 2017 19:46:36 GMT -5
Every other mention I see online for Amberola 50 serial numbers has an "SM" prefix. Both of mine lack that, and have the speed control on the governor that was omitted later on.
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Post by phonogfp on Jun 25, 2017 21:20:14 GMT -5
Interesting - I never noticed, and I once had a 30 numbered in the 7000s...
George P.
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Post by nefaurora on Jul 30, 2017 21:57:35 GMT -5
George, According to their Serial Numbers, At least one of the machines is definitely from 1915. Serial Number #4813 is from the later part of 1915, probably sometime from September to November at least. According to Frow, Amberola 50 Serial #6421 was reached in January of 1916 (Page 181, in the Edison Phonograph Companion). It was mentioned because there was a slight modification to the 50's drive Mechanism as well as the '75's also. Average Amberola 50 production was about 20 units per day or (400 units a month) at this time. His 2nd machine, Serial #6661, Is from the first two months of 1916 production at least. It is very likely that someone most likely changed out the reproducers on both these machines....most likely a modern trader or dealer as the Nickeled Reproducers can fetch a bit more money if in good condition than the black ones. I think that they were just swapped out by someone...but I'm with you.. Both machines here most likely came with Nickeled Reproducer housings.  ) Tony K. Edison Collector/Restorer |
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Post by nefaurora on Jul 30, 2017 22:16:31 GMT -5
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Post by columbia1930 on Aug 5, 2017 20:21:47 GMT -5
George, According to their Serial Numbers, At least one of the machines is definitely from 1915. Serial Number #4813 is from the later part of 1915, probably sometime from September to November at least. According to Frow, Amberola 50 Serial #6421 was reached in January of 1916 (Page 181, in the Edison Phonograph Companion). It was mentioned because there was a slight modification to the 50's drive Mechanism as well as the '75's also. Average Amberola 50 production was about 20 units per day or (400 units a month) at this time. His 2nd machine, Serial #6661, Is from the first two months of 1916 production at least. It is very likely that someone most likely changed out the reproducers on this machine....most likely a modern trader or dealer as the Nickeled Reproducers can fetch a bit more money if in good condition than the black ones. I think that they were just swapped out by someone...but I'm with you.. Both machines here most likely came with Nickeled Reproducer housings. ) Tony K. Edison Collector/Restorer Tony, Thanks very much for this! Very good to know. I know for a fact the reproducer on 6661 has been changed out, because when I first looked at it there was a nickeled one in place and when I went back it had been changed. The other one I don't know about, but that one is down with Steve Medved being overhauled, and he is of the opinion it could be original to the machine. Thanks again--- Jim |
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Post by lucius1958 on Aug 6, 2017 3:28:22 GMT -5
For what it's worth, my 30 (#41597) does not have the SM prefix. It has the external speed control, and the nickeled reproducer. BillS |
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Post by nefaurora on Aug 7, 2017 6:59:40 GMT -5
Jim, Just to clarify, both of your Amberola 50's both came with Nickeled Diamond "C" Reproducers. The Reproducers went to Black somewhere in the middle to later part of 1916 approximately. All 1917 and later (Non-External Speed control model Amberola 30/40/75 Machines) came with Black Diamond "C" Reproducers.
The only exception to this rule were the ICS (International Correspondence School) Amberola 30's which came with an External Speed Control and a special Nickeled Model "D" Reproducer and Special Nickeled horn elbow attachment.
:0)
Tony K.
Edison Collector/Restorer
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Post by columbia1930 on Aug 8, 2017 18:15:54 GMT -5
If I may quote Steve Medved on the reproducer I sent him from machine #6661---
"You have a nickel plated reproducer and a fairly early one. Remember they came on three machines. The person who worked on your reproducer last was very interesting, they used rubber bands for gaskets, first time I have ever seen this. They painted the top black, first time I have seen that. The paint looks old, much older than the rubber bands. The worse thing is whoever worked on the reproducer horribly bent the hook on the stylus bar, I have never seen one so mangled before. I will try to save it."
"Your reproducer has a pot metal top, all diamond C reproducers have pot metal tops. For about the first two years the reproducers had a brass sound tube and were nickel plated. The nickel did not look that good with the rest being all black and it cost more so Edison started to just paint them black and the sound tube was pot metal as it was part of the casting. The transition diamond C had black paint and the brass sound tube, but they are in the 70,000 and 80,000 range and they were not nickel plated so I am certain someone painted your top black."
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Now the other Amberola 50 I have has what I am sure is not the original reproducer, but it's been rebuilt and sounds good, so I'm happy with it. But I have every reason to believe that the one I sent Steve is original to the machine, from what he is telling me...
Jim
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