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Nice work! I love the result with the Duplicolor product.

About 18 months ago in this thread, I mentioned that there was an AG Graphophone here whose bed plate needed polishing. Being the man of action I am, yesterday I finally tackled the job. I nearly forgot to take any "before" pictures. By the time I remembered, the AG was sitting on the workbench, and I didn't feel like carrying it back upstairs to a better place for a picture. The problem with my workbench is that, in addition to a couple of incandescent swing arm lights, there are a couple of florescent tubes above. These florescent tubes throw a harsh white light that makes aluminum look foggy. Did I disconnect the florescent tubes for pictures? No. But, despite my screwup, I think these pictures demonstrate the value of polish and hopefully discourage the use of steel wool. Here's a "before" picture on the bench. Note how the cast aluminum bed plate looks kind of milky after at least a decade of no polishing. Note the faint reflection of the speed control on the bed plate. Here's the bed plate with the left half polished. The florescent tubes make this look milkier than it really is. Still, cast aluminum - unless it was carefully polished mirror smooth at the factory - contains tiny pits that will never look like pristine nickel-plated brass. Okay, here's the reassembled AG still on the bench after polishing all the metal with White Diamond polish, and treating the cabinet with OZ. You'll see a slightly better reflection of the speed control, but those darn florescent tubes still make things look milky: Here's what everything looks like without those pesky florescent tubes: Wow - this little treatise turned into a lecture on lighting! Check out the reflection of the speed control now... You're not using steel wool to polish metal or displaying your phonographs under florescent lights, are you? But seriously folks, florescent light will definitely fade old dyes, such as those used in period advertisements and the floral decals found on Graphophones. George P.

It may not be the records, but the machine. Can you offer details on the machine? George P.

I have quite a few Edison disc records that look like they are brand new. I do not see anything with my eye that could cause a problem but they start playing good but towards the middle they are unplayable. What baffles me is that the records look brand new.

That is a great result. II have been planning to repaint an old horn with that same paint, so I'm glad to see the results. "Happy wife" shouldn't apply in this case...

I think I'm more sentimental about it than my mother is, and would love for it to end up somewhere it would be appreciated, even if I end up giving it away. Thanks for the comment, Henry!

Wow, that's a dead ringer for the Zenith console my parents had back in the 1950s, especially the cabinet design and layout of the internals. The record changer had the CobraMatic arm and the turntable was 16-33-45-78; the radio had the green tuning eye. Brings back the memories....

I'm interested in buying a second style Home Grand Graphophone like the example pictured in our book, The Talking Machine Compendium. I'm looking for a good original finish. The machine doesn't need to be perfect, but I will pay a premium for condition. Thanks for your consideration. George P.

This was my grandparents' and my mother is downsizing and has no place to put it. I don't know if the electronics work, but as a piece of furniture it is in pretty good shape (some scratches and scuffs but solid) and beautiful. I'd love for it to go to someone who would appreciate it. Dimensions are 37" across, 17" deep, 3" high. $75 or best offer and you'll have to arrange transport. She is moving later this month so please respond ASAP, and please pass on to anyone in that area that might be interested. Photos attached.

Thanks for the update!

Hi there, I’ve paid via PayPal for the early admission for Friday. So when I show up Friday afternoon will there be a listing that shows I’m already prepaid? I haven’t received any confirmation yet. But my PayPal statement shows that I’ve paid. Regards, Glenn

That is a fabulous job! Did you dust the touch-up areas only with the silver, or did you dust the whole horn?

It appears that I will be attending the Expo! My question is, is it necessary to pre-register for Early Buyer Admission, or can it be purchased "at the door"? Thanks!!!

Can't wait to attend this show. Have been looking forward to it all year. Appreciate all who put so much effort to put this together! 😃

I look forward to seeing all my friends and hope to come home with a small treasure. I can't wait!

ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH SOCIETY NOTICE LESS Than 1 month until the Midwest Music Show in Schaumburg, Illinois near Chicago. Don’t miss out!! This is your final chance to get APS rates for the Hyatt Schaumburg for the show. While rooms will likely be available after 05/29, to guarantee our rates, book before the end of the week. (If you miss the deadline, call the hotel (847.605.1234) and request a room using group code G-AHSH. This rates includes a full breakfast buffet with added omelet station! We are at a record number of dealer tables (~110) and expect to sell out soon. If you are interested in securing table(s), act soon! We’ve secured our main dealer space for an extended dealer setup and Early Buyer event Friday afternoon (06/27) with dealers unloading at 12:00 and Early Buyer ticketed admission at 1:00 – 5:00pm. As most know, this is an exciting time of seeing merchandise emerge before the general public has a chance. We have again booked The Chicago Cellar Boys to entertain at the Banquet. As you who were there know from last year, this premier ragtime time does not disappoint. This year’s Banquet includes special attendee “souvenir, participation in the silent auction (to sell & buy), delicious meal, open bar, and more! Sign up today and reserve your spot! An E-Mail notice will be sent to registered dealers in the next couple of days, explaining details about submitting items to be included in the Silent Auction, including items you wish to sell and donate proceeds to support The Antique Phonograph Society (tax deductible). We’ve added door prizes and raffles to this years event for more fun and opportunities for all. See you there soon! https://www.antiquephono.org/#/event/future/1

Very nice, Bruce! You did an excellent job of matching that original color. George P.

Thanks for the advice guys. I stripped the horn down to the tin plating. It needed some touch up due to scuffs and rust, which I cleaned up and then dusted with a silver spray paint. Then finished with several thin coatings of Dupli-color Metalcast red anodized spray paint. The very thin coatings allowed me to slowly build up the paint until it matched an existing red flowered horn I have in my collection. I showed the completed paint job to an old time collector in our area who immediately recognized the finished product as matching what he remembered from original Berliner horns which he had owned in the past. Unfortunately, after all that work the owner (specifically his wife) wanted a more subdued and opaque red so I repainted it before adding the gold stripes. But a "happy wife" means the phonograph will be allowed to display in his living room so compromises must be made once and awhile. Bruce

Other things to do/fix is cleaning and greasing the motor - which works but looks like it hasn't seen grease since 1930. Also the wooden handle on the brake won't revolver. Here are a few more pictures of the machine

Back in Spain with the brake lever from the other machine with the same brake. It did not work, the levers look identical but the leather just barely touches the metal, so I'll drill and look for new leather. The older lever is slightly bent, allowing it to glide over the head of the screw - and opening the brake further, but it still doesn't do the trick, see pictures.

New member and first time poser here. I am sorry for your loss. I can only imagine that your late partner took as great care of you as the machines they left you. This is/was a marvelous collection. I hope that the new owner(s) enjoy them and treat them well. Ben, thank you for the suggestion of Cliff's Vintage Music. I live in Vancouver, WA (about 60 mi South of Castle Rock). I have a Stieger Talking machine I picked up at an estate sale. It is in rough shape, but it has records, a crank and mechanically, things freely 'move', so nothing is seized up. I am just starting the restoration process now. Seeing Cliff as a resource should be very beneficial!

This show gets better and better every year. Thanks to all involved in putting it on. Ken Brekke