New member, Edison Fireside B

[edisonphonographs]

Hello, I just joined today and this is my first post. I am probably one of the youngest members at 29, and I have always been interested in phonographs from reading fictional novels that referred to Victrolas.

My first phonograph was a cheap Academy, that was actually in surprisingly good shape for one of the lower end phonographs.

After researching more and discovering the existence of Edison cylinder phonographs, I was very lucky to find the Edison Fireside model B that you see in my picture.

By the way, that blue flowered Edison standard horn was available for purchase with Edison Fireside Bs for a very short time. This is the original horn that was originally bought along with the Fireside by the uncle of the 98 year old man in California that I bought it from.

At first I was concerned that the horn did not match what everyone was telling me that a Fireside should have (the little Maroon horn or a Cygnet horn). I was even told that Edison never made a flowered horn and that I should have it restored back to just the rare Edison blue (thank goodness I didn't) and buy a standard to go with it. Someone (a phonograph shop I will not name) even tried to offer me a trade for the horn that would have been pretty one sided in their favor.

I now would advise other newbies to continue to do research before listening to all the advise from "experts" as I now know that I have a rare combination horn and machine that do belong together.

I now can say that the Edison Fireside model B was offered at the end of 1912 with a diamond B reproducer, blue flowered horn, crane, and extra base for $29.50

[neophone]

Edisonphonographs,

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Sound like you've done your research-good job.

Regards,
John

[AZ]

Welcome. Nice machine. I have a Fireside myself, but it's an A with black Cygnet horn and K reproducer.

You did well to trust your instincts:

1. Some self-proclaimed experts don't really know as much as they think they do.

2. There are many people who will try to get you to part with something at a bargain price -- a bargain for them, that is!

[maroongem]

Welcome to the Board!!!!

Edison did in fact offer a painted horn other than the usual black paneled Morning Glory horn. The Mod. E STANDARD (Nov.1911) came with the blue Morning Glory horn with painted chrysanthemums on the inside of the petals like you have on your FIRESIDE, so whom ever told you that was incorrect. BTW, on the horn decal at the top of the horn, what model/name is present inside that little deacal?

Bill

[edisonphonographs]

It says Edison Standard. You are correct. This is the same horn that was offered with the Standard Model E. It has the same crane set up as a standard, except that it also came with a second foot to help balance the weight as the firesides are of course smaller than the Standards.

[lyneisfilm]

I have an Edison Fireside model B with an Edison Standard horn(which has the decal on the horn) that looks like the one above.

[lyneisfilm]

Aug 26, 2008 20:45:51 GMT -5 edisonphonographs said:

It says Edison Standard. You are correct. This is the same horn that was offered with the Standard Model E. It has the same crane set up as a standard, except that it also came with a second foot to help balance the weight as the firesides are of course smaller than the Standards.

Is there a possibility to post a detailed photo of the foot extensions that stabilize the Fireside with the huge standard horn?  I have the Fireside Model B with the same horn as you and with a horn crane mounted on it and supporting the horn it is barely balanced.  The wooden case has two metal guides underneath which appear to be designed to hold foot extensions, but the details of how these are used is not obvious.  Some of the horn cranes slide into an external support which appears connected to the wooden case, but mine has a 1/4 tube designed to hold a horn crane.  Maybe when using the large standard horn, the external support tube with with these feet should be used.