Curious about the S-19

[tarheeltinkerer]

I'm now in Ohio and missing the LC-38 I restored and gave to my sister. I saw there is an S-19 in good shape on ebay that is within driving distance of myself and wondered if anyone has experience with them.

I realize this is not the best model, but I just want something small I can enjoy in my apartment (and can lug up the stairs). I figure next to a B-80, the best I can do for a small DD is either an H-19, S-19, or similar.

[maroongem]

Frank,

My 1st DD machine was a S-19 and I only got rid of it because I found my 1st C-19 which had the larger horn. It was a very nice machine and I probably would have kept it if I had more room.

Bill

[agesagomusic08]

Hey if you have not done so, see a great friend of mine, DON GFELL, he makes wood horns for phonographs, but hes mainly into anything edison, he has diamond disc machines and a shop in MILAN OHIO, he has ANYTHING you could want for your phonograph (he has DD machines, cylinder players of all kinds! He has been in the buisness for nearly 40 years! he has DD and 2 min and 4 min wax cylinders and Blue amberols, he has lots of diamond discs, I visit him at least once a month to share my diamond disc collection with him. when you call tell him Neill said to give you a call. Hes a very charming person and knows his buisness! i buy from him most of the time when i go and see him! His shop is exciting to be in. I was like a kid in a candy store the first time i was in there a couple years ago...LOL Dons number is 419 499 3093. his email is [e-mail]
hope that helps in your search! ( i live in findlay and he is like an hour and a half from me) but well worth the trips to go there once in a while...) you will be amazed

[Valecnik]

The S-19 is a great running machine, storage ffor 37 records as I recall and will give you plenty of volume. Much better than a B80 or H19. I've had all three!

[larryh]

I can add some timely comment here. I recently returned my S 19 to the living room from its storage in my moms basement next door. I had replaced it with a Chippendale which I wanted and does have a larger sound. But after playing it C 19 for nearly a year in the small farm house living room I have it just got overbearing to me. I also had a need to rearrange some furniture to make room for a couple large speakers so the C 19 was just out of scale where I had a place for it. I returned the S 19 and have been very pleased with it in the room. Yes its still loud, but not as loud, and I can turn it down. The amount of sound quality is a bit less, but not enough to really make a big difference and the sound seems better suited for the size of room. Over in the basement where I walk daily the C 19 will knock your socks off with its big sound, but I don't miss it in the house.
I would say if I could find a console with the 250 horn I would consider that in the living room because the lower level of the horn to my ear makes a more pleasing sound, not so direct and hard on the ears as the higher C 19 does. I have acquaintance that I have heard play his baby console which I believe has the same horn as S 19, it might be a good choice for me or you as well.

[tarheeltinkerer]

Thanks for all the great info guys! I'm going at noon today to check out this particular player. So far no one has bid on it but it does have three days to go before the auction ends. Hopefully to what damage the cabinet has is nothing outside of my abilities to clean/repair/refinish. Granted, with the forum's help, anything is possible

[tarheeltinkerer]

Well, I up and bought the player. I went to look at it, made the guy an offer of $120 and he hesitated, so I upped to $150 and bought it on the spot. It's back home...already in pieces, hehe. The one part that is missing is stop for the door for the long metal slider. That part is completely gone. The decal on the top bedplate is almost nonexistent, the one leg is a tad wobbly, and some of these small decorative pieces around the legs are going to need replacement. That aside, the unit is dirty but in great shape. Hopefully I can get all the metal cleaned, lubricated and reassembled tonight. The case can use a good cleaning...what is odd is that there does not appear to be a finish on the oak...or there never was a finish applied. I'm thinking of just rubbing the case down with linseed oil or tung oil. Suggestions?


Oh, as for paper items in the case, I found what appears to be the original inspection form from the factory. It's dirty and fragile to the point I can barely make out the pencil markings, but it is marked as a Sheraton S-19, in Fumed Oak (?) and it was initially by the folks that packed and inspected it. Unfortunately, this paper was found under the horn and is both oil soaked, stained, and on the verge of disintegration. I also found the original manual for the player, and strangest of all, a stroboscope from a Thorens player in excellent condition. Now that I have a scanner I'll post images of it (and the player). Right now I'm off to get some gasoline to degrease the parts.

Would Murphy's Oil Soap be okay to clean the oak with?

[martin1]

Hey Frank,

Glad to hear the machine got a good home with you. Personally, I wouldn't use Murphy's on anything. I've never had any luck with it. Fumed oak finishes are delicate things. The color was achieved in chambers full of ammonia fumes. While there may have been a thin sealer coat of shellac, most of the outer protection of the finish was a coat or two of wax.

On other finishes, I'd use a real gentle cleaner such as Kotten Cleanser and a light touch. On fumed Oak, I'd be very, very cautious as the finish is hard or impossible to replicate. Maybe try using a bit of paper towel lightly moistened with mineral spirits (paint thinner). Do this on a small out-of the way spot, and if it starts to mess with the finish, stop there. I'm sure better-informed people than me will respond, so my main advice is to go slow. Congratulations again on your new Diamond Disc machine!

Best Regards,
Martin

[tarheeltinkerer]

Thanks for the info Martin.

Well, it appears that the one leg that had a replacement piece was actually broken at one point, and then repaired in a less than stellar fashion. I removed the broken piece and reglued it to try and achieve a tighter fit. Unfortunately, the leg is also not even with the other three....so I removed the wheels, and am resorting to sticking a bolt in the hole where the wheel went on the one leg to even things out...not the greatest I realize, but better than nothing and seems to work well enough. Furthermore, the wheels don't work on carpet (which is probably how the leg broke before. I'm just going to carry it to it's new home and then will move it again when the time comes (which will hopefully be years).

I have all the metal cleaned and ready to install. One worry is the main gear on the central shaft. It appears to be made out of wafers of copper...the top brass layer is loose and not connected...nor does it want to stay put. The only issue is seems to cause is a little bit of noise, but that's it. I'm thinking it's best to just let it be and leave it at that.

I'm just waiting on my leg repair to harden and a repair of one small chip. Tomorrow I will hopefully be able to rub the case down with linseed oil, touch up a few spots, and put the unit back together. I do have an errant small washer (I mean really tiny) that I have no idea where it goes...hopefully this won't kill the player!

Here's my scan of the inspection form I found in it.