BASIC HINTS ON THE CARE OF EDISON PHONOGRAPHS

1. Keep the machine as original as possible. Originality adds value.

2. The box and lid

• Boxes were usually made of oak.
• Retain the original French polish.
• Only re-polish if very badly damaged.
• Never use lacquer, varnish, etc. - only French polish.
• Preserve the transfer (decal) on box at ALL COSTS.
• Never use silicone polishes. Use microcrystalline wax.

• This usually had a black Japanned finish with gold lines.
• Never clean top with turpentine (it will craze).
• Never clean the top with methylated spirit (it will go sticky).
• Clean top with oily rag or cotton bud.
• Never re-touch the gold lines unless doing a complete re-paint job.
• Only strip and re-paint top plate if paint is badly damaged.

• Nickel plating can be cleaned with tarnish removers or brass polish or fine steel wool.
• Avoid using buffing wheels, they can remove the nickel.
• Polish with Duraglit type pads (never use polish solutions containing abrasive powders).
• If parts are rusted, they should be nickel plated only - never chrome plated.

• Preserve original paint at ALL COSTS, even if some damage has occurred.
• Horns with original paint are rare and worth preserving.
• Repainting horn with lacquer spray can be better than using enamel.

• Oil motor regularly - you cannot over oil.
• If motor 'thumps' when playing - spring case need greasing inside with graphite grease.
• Never work on a motor unless it is fully unwound.
• A spring may break at any time. Springs can be repaired.

• Reproducers contain a sapphire stylus or a diamond stylus - never a steel needle.
• Styli can get chipped and can ruin records - check with a handlens for chips.
• A worn stylus will give a blurry sound - records should sound crisp and clear.
• If records have a buzzing sound on loud notes, rubber gaskets in reproducer need replacing. Seek advice.
• Replacement styli are available. Never use LP or 78 stylus).

Treat records carefully - they can get scratched, and wax cylinder are fragile.
There are basically 3 types of cylinder records:

• wax 2 minute (1890's - 1912) - use model C reproducer or combination model K.
• wax 4 minute (1908 - 1912) - use model H reproducer or combination model K.
• celluloid (blue) 4 minute (1912 - 1929) - use model H or heavier Diamond reproducer.

9. Dating Phonographs

Add a few years to the last patent date on the machine (except for later Amberolas).
Phonographs with horns are all pre 1913. Most internal horn Phonographs date from the 1920's.
The last Phonographs and cylinder records were produced in 1929.

Phone 08 9330 1636 for free advice.

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