This project has been slowly going on for about 12 years go. Had to re calculate the time when I got to thinking when I bought it as a parts machine.
It was in pretty sad shape then. Wasn't hardly worth saving, but, I wanted the task.
Here are some pictures of the machine. I'll even try to show picture of it when I was just getting it back to running condition.
I'll have to do several postings in order to do the restoration process justice.
Here goes the first batch.....
Bill Cahill
WOW! Nice job, it looks great! How did you get the new logo?
Looks like a million bucks! Great work!
The signature decal on the front of main case is a very good quality repro I bought off ebay.
The bed plate is replaced. In fact, I'm now waiting for a bed plate that will be an upgrade that will make this machine look nearly new......
It's all original.
The crane is reproduction of high quality, but, the back bracket is original.
The original elbow didn't work right, so, I removed it. I have to find a different style original.
I have a crummy repro on it for now, until then.
This is a great sounding player, and, is one of my favorite machines.
I guess you can see horn needs some restoring, as well.
Bill Cahill
Thanks much. It's truly a labor of love.
This machine is an important part of American history..... :)
I have always loved wood, it came out excellent. That is a very nice looking repro logo also.
I was told once that one recent president and first lady chose the cylinder recording as the media for thier presidential record. I was told they did that because it is the most durable recording media made. Is there anything to substantiate this claim? Just curious, see your machine dredged up that memory, or at least most of it, I cannot remember which president it was.
Hmmm. Don't remember hearing anything about that.
The wax records weren't durable, but, in spite of being celluloid, the later cylinders held up amazingly well.
After all, cylinders have been along more than 110 years.Actually, longer than that.
My oldest one in good condition is about 1905 on Edison 2 min. wax.
Here are some of my titles I love on both formats.
2 min.
Edison- Afloat on a five dollar note Collins and, Harlan
Edison-Only a message from home sweet home Edison male qt.
Edison-The Teddy Bears' Picnic Edison symphony orchestra
Edison-In the good old steamboat dqys Edward Meeker
4 min. BA unless otherwise noted...
My Lord's gonna move this wicked race name of qt. forgotten, but,is only one of two known actual black groups that recorded for Edison at the time.
This was a religious song sung by original slaves. A very moving song.
The Teddy Bears' Picnic Edison symphony orchestra.
Now, you didn't think I'd get the two min. of that, and, not want it on four min., would you???
The March of the toy soldiers From Babes in Toyland
Bringin' home the bacon Kaplan's Melodists w excerpt by Vernon Dalhart
The prisoner's song-waltz Kaplan's Melodists with excerpt by Vernon Dalhart
Don't take the next title wrong. It's a very moving, and, beutiful song. Apparently meant for children.
The Pickanninny blues. Edison male qt.
The word could have been better chosen, but, the song is very moving...
Ragtiem violin Billy Murray and, chorus
Gasoline Gus and, his jittney bus Billy Murray and, chorus
Casey Jones Billy Murray and, chorus
How do you do.. Billy Jones and, Ernest Hare-The Happiness boys.
In the little red school house. Billy Jones, and, Ernest Hare-The Happiness boys.
Hail, Hail, the gang's all here! Male qt.
Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord, God, Almighty. Edison Mixed qt.
Alcoholic Blues Tenor Indestructable cylinder
Overture to Semiranede-Edison symphony orchestra.
Just to name a few of my favorites...... :)
Bill Cahill
Quote from: AtomicEraTom on June 14, 2010, 01:22:06 PM
Looks like a million bucks! Great work!
:o I think it's costing me that much! ;D
Pardon my reversed spelling on some of my words. My brain shorts out while typing, and, I sometimes miss the typos.
Bill Cahill
Correction on In the good old steamboat days. That was actually Murray K Hill.
Bill Cahill
Very nice Bill. That is a beautiful machine. I'm sure you got a great deal of pleasure in bring that back to life. Thanks for sharing it.
Quote from: Dennis Markham on June 14, 2010, 03:06:45 PM
Very nice Bill. That is a beautiful machine. I'm sure you got a great deal of pleasure in bring that back to life. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks. I've made my mistakes, and, I'm still learning, but, it's one of my favorite machines. I most love the machines I resurect. Reason? Simple. I'm helping to save history.
You guys are at your best on your phones. I can't do as well on those, and, the one phone in living room keeps falling, and, breaking. My old dog trips on the wire.
Oh, well.
But, My little niche is restoring Edisons, and, saving deat tv's.
I thank God for these gifts....
Bill Cahill
All restorations are pricey, but they are very rewarding.
Quote from: Bill Cahill on June 14, 2010, 02:31:58 PM
Quote from: AtomicEraTom on June 14, 2010, 01:22:06 PM
Looks like a million bucks! Great work!
:o I think it's costing me that much! ;D
Pardon my reversed spelling on some of my words. My brain shorts out while typing, and, I sometimes miss the typos.
Bill Cahill
It's a great machine, and you've done good work! I've only seen one in a museum, never live and never a working one. Hows the sound?
Tthe sound is fantastic!
I have a Standard, as you guys know, with a large front horn. It sounds good. But, the cygnet horn beats that. Now, if I am eventually able to upgrade the reproducer to say like a combination O with a larger diaphram, also, a bigger price tag, I'll get even better sound.
The ultimate is the wood music master cygnet horns. But, they are also quite a bit more money.
I did well with what I have.
Bill Cahill
beautiful & commendable work, bill. you truly are preserving a bit of history. very interesting song titles, wish i could hear them.
what did you use on the wood case?
I used two coats of dark walnut stain. Then, a coat of golden oak stain, followed by several coats of orange shelac, with rubbing in between each coat. The original finnish on these machines was also orange shelac.
Thanks for your kind compliments.
It's definately a labor of love...
Bill Cahill
I also have other favorite cylinders......
Here are some words from one of my favorite two min. Edison Cylinders.
"Only a message from home sweet home" By the Edison Qt.
"Twas' in a gay resort one night this letter right went through. When one said to another, Jack, this letter came for you.... It must be from a sweetheart's voice that's run along the crowd. With laughs, and, jests, they gathered round.
Thenk Jack replied at last.....----
It's only a message from home, sweet home. From loved ones down on the farm.
Fond wife, and, mother, sister, and, brother, praying to rob me from harm.
And, baby is listing a prayer tonight, to bless me where'er I roam...
We'll welcome you Jack, if you'd only come back, 'twas the message from home, sweet home.....-----
It's only a message from home, sweet home. From loved ones down on the farm.....
Fond wife, and, mother. Sister, and, brother, praying to rob me from harm....
And, baby has listed a prayer tonight, to bless me where'er I roam....
We'll welcome you Jack, if you'd only come back., 'twas the message from home, sweet home........"
Bill Cahill
I am now waiting for a better condition bed plate to arrive for machine. The paint is a little better, and, pin striping more complete.
I also just won an original 45 detgree neck that will be my connector between the reproducer, and, the horn.
When those things, and, re cleanning main spring are finnished, I will call this machine finally finnished.
In the mean time, I'm enjoying playing records on it......
Bill Cahill
Well, I'm still waiting for my better bedplate. Yesterday I paid for the original 45 deg. elbo that goes from reproducer to the horn.
I've been enjoying playing records on it.
I'll let you know when bed plate comes. I'll have pics of completed machine....
Bill Cahill
Well, except for repainting horn neck, it's official. it's done!
I received a better condition bed plate for machine today, and, an original elbow to go between horn and, reproducer. I'll have to do this in several posts, but, here are pics of my finnishing work earlier today.
Bill Cahill ;D
Well, I just did a tone, volume, and, speed test on 4 of my favorite 4 min. cylinders. My comparison machine was the Amberola 3. Here are the un proffessional, though realistic results.....
Amberola 3
Speed 160 rpm
Volume Loud, clear.
Tone Somewhat sharp treble, deep bass.
Reproducer Rebuilt Diamond A.
Horn INside metal horn
Home
Speed 160 rpm
Volume Loud, clear. Not quite as loud, but, close second.
Tone Nice Treble, fairly deep bass.
Repeoducer Rebuilt H.
Horn No. 10 Cgnet with a rubber connector going to an original 45 degree elbow connecting to reproducer.
Conclusion, While not surprisingly, the Amberola 3 does play slightly better, the Home is very well holding its' own. The sound is fantastic, and, I am very pleased with the sound produced with the cygnet horn.
I can easily see why both the past, and, present populrity of the cynet horn.
I am very pleased with this machine!
I am a very happy camper!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Bill Cahill
And, here are a few more pics.....
Bill Cahill
Notice earliest picture I have of it. I had gotten enough parts for it at the timethat it was together.Period. This was about 12 years ago.....
The last picture shows how it looked about 12 years ago.
One pic shows how it lookded 2 weeks ago in another part of house with the other not as good bed plate.
I found the best one on flea bay.
In my book, it now looks like the machine is only about 5 years old, instead of 105.
I'm really proud of my work, as you guys are proud of yours.
Very nice, Bill! You did a wonderful job of restoring that Edison cylinder player. You SHOULD be very proud!
Beautiful. :o I think quality has sadly been bypassed like this player has when you compare it to MP3 players or todays disposable electronics.
Agreed Dan, but it sure is easier to put an iPod on one's pocket than this Edison cylinder player! :)
Personally, I hate Ipods. They are tinny, and, distort.
I'm not impressed.....
Thanks, guys. I'm very touchy when it comes to wanting to do the best job I can...
I've beem restoring Edisons, and, others for about 40 years now. I've made my mistakes.
When I first started getting them filthy, coroded, with black cases, all crazed, I used to get told off by collectors. "You are wrecking this machine! You are ruinning the originality!"
My reply always used to be, "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know! You mean this came from the factory like this???"
What's original about gum, grime, rust, corosion, and, black oak?
I bet you that If I hadn't told you I refinnished this case you would have complimented me on picking up such a nice original machine...
I believe in picking them up in the rough. Besides not being able to afford the nicer machines, I like the challenge of bringing them back to life from the dead.
And, I'm saving another important piece of American history for future generations to appreciate......
Bill Cahill ;D
Hi Bill,
Just came across this ad on CL and immediately thought of you. Nice looking machine with lots of records! He also has an Edison machine but no pictures for that.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/atq/1815436546.html
Hi Bill,
Just found these on CL, first time I have seen any come up, thought you might be interested. If you want them and he will not ship I can pick them up for you.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/atq/1824781823.html ( dead link 03-09-21 )
Is he, are you in Florida?
Thanks.
Bill Cahill
I'm interested. Need more input.
Just catching up on my forum reading & was happy to see that you finished the player, bill. she is a beauty! i disagree with those who say you are ruining the originality. in my opinion you have restored the originality. :) very nice work!
Thanks. Compliment thankfully accepted....
I worked hard on this one. I do on most of them.. I've made many mistakes over the years. Some major.
But, then, there were no forums on how to properly restore.
I had to learn it on my own the hard way...
This is a great school we live in...
"School of hard knocks 101". Yep. Great learning place.
If we take the opportunities we are offered, we can learn alot...
Bill Cahill ;D :) ;D
right you are, bill :)
Well, "You asked for it", and, so, by popular demand, here are better pictures of phonos the way they presently are in my display room.
Bill Cahill ;D
The first photo shows my complete Home with cygnet horn, C 2 min. reproducer in front of machine, repro elbow next to it, no llonger used, I now have an original, and, H 4 min. reproducer on machine. I have a 4 min. Blue Amberol on the "Mandrel" of machine.
Nect pic. My Amberola 3, the best machine in my collection.The home is next best, and, very close second.
Some brilliant dummy cut the lower half of case off the 3 many years ago.
This machine uses t eh "transversing mandrel" of the outside horn Edison Opera.
It's 4 min., has Diamond A reproducer for playing only the 4 min. celluloid cylinders.
Next to the 3 also with it's legs cut off, is my un restored, though very rare Edison William and, Mary style diamond disc phonograph.
In the last photo, the as yet not finnished Edison Fireside model A cylinder phonograph.
The fireside came out in 1908, it's 2, and, 4 min. combination, has the combination model K reproducer, and, two piece red fireside horn.
Tv in background is a set I'm restoring. An RCA Victor model 6T65, dating to 1950.
I'rm restoring the case, and, have to yet restore the chassis.
Hope you guys enjoyed seeing the pics.
Bill Cahill