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Who still uses an Edison Cylinder Phonograph?

Mignun

Mignun

pfm Member
I saw one of these today, an Edison Standard in a nice wooden box. It probably needs a bit of refurbishment, but I loved the look of it. I'm seriously thinking of making an offer. It'll look so cool, even if I never use it.

So, does anyone know anything about these? Any tips on running or refurbing?
 
I have an Edison Standard, manufactured in 1898. Edison machines are beautifully made and mechanically very interesting, but repertoire, artists and recording of the cylinders leave a lot to be desired. Cylinders in clean playable condition aren't easy to find - the earlier black wax type are commonly affected by mould - and can be expensive. But amazingly you can still buy replacement parts for the machines from specialists like Richard Badman.

However if I were to have just one early 'Talking Machine' it would have to be a Gramophone - a disc player for shellac 78s. The discs are still very easy to find, there's a huge and varied repertoire and they're cheap. And a good table top HMV or Columbia gramophone can usually picked up for less than a decent cylinder machine.

Have a look at this site http://www.gramophones.uk.com/ to get some idea of the different styles of machines, and their respective prices.
 
Thanks all. I've done my research and it seems like it could be a fun project. Even if I can't restore it, it'll look really cool in the music room.
 
I have an old Edison. Not sure of the model and it has an aluminium repro horn unfortunately. Still looks great though and was working up until the 'pick up' on the sound box fell off. Some sort of crystal thing? I don't know much about it and really should get it resorted one day. I have a box of cylinders too.

I would really like a nice portable gramophone but finding a nice one for sensible money seems difficult...
 
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