Edison Amberola 30 study?

[cyanblue]

I know, I know, the little common workhorse…

 

Have the Edison Amberola 30 variations over the full production run ever had a posted/published study, even an approximate serial number and date range for those variations?

 

For example, the very first Amberola 30 run with gold pinstripes, exposed speed control, front grill, etc. and when these early details were dropped.

 

And the opposite end, the late/final version with the more plain case, and the high serial range (I believe in the 220k range?).

 

Thanks,

Patrick

Toronto, Canada 

[phonogfp]

I've never seen such a study, which really should start with an online survey of existing machines, focusing on serial number, and a handful of evolving production characteristics.  The longer the survey, the less likely it is to be completed.

 

George P.

[BenL]

I don't remember where I heard it, but the later models (sorry, I don't remember after what point) had the model tag in the lid. 

[NateO]

For some time I've worked on collecting data on the Amberola 30/50/75, just by perusing auction sites and other online images. I'd eventually planned to open the survey to other contributions with the hope of writing a study on the 30, but I've always been better at starting projects than I have been at actually finishing them. My Amberola 30 spreadsheet currently contains data on 435 examples. As you said, these are common machines, but excellent workhorses and deserving of study. 

 

For what it's worth, I can provide some answers to your queries. 

 

The full pinstriping was the first thing done away with, sometime before serial number 11000. The Edison signature decal lingered for some time later. The highest serial number I've seen with that decal was just over 63000, but that also seems to be an outlier. The earlier machines are harder to collect data on, because the data plate is located in the horn compartment and most sellers don't bother (or know) to photograph it.

 

The exposed speed control seems to have stopped a bit before serial number 71000. However, it can be found sprinkled throughout the run of the Amberola 30, since they were available as ICS machines with a special Model H reproducer instead of the usual Diamond C. The highest serial number I'm 100% confident had an exposed speed control is in the 194000 range, as it is equipped with the ICS Model H reproducer. I also have exposed speed controls in the 204000 and 224000 serial number blocks, but I’m less certain of their authenticity.

 

The late style plain cabinet you mention shows up around serial number 200000. Interestingly, somewhere between 227000 and 228000, Edison actually reverted to the previous cabinet style with base molding and that "fancier" cabinet was standard for (most) of the rest of the run.

 

The lowest serial number I have seen is 243, and the highest serial number is 235322.

 

 

[phonogfp]

Great information, Nate!

 

The Edison signature decal you mention: where was this located?

 

George P.

[Tinfoilphono]

Fantastic information, Nate. Thanks for sharing that.

[NateO]

George, the Edison signature decal appears in the open space behind the mandrel (where the data plate later was placed). It seems that Edison discontinued the full pinstriping but continued to apply just the signature for some time after. It's something I need to look into further. Unfortunately, the way I've collected data thus far makes it difficult to see the signature, since it's often not photographed clearly.

 

I've attached an image of my fully striped Amberola 50 to demonstrate where the signature was placed. 

[cyanblue]

Wow! Thanks Nate for gathering the info, it's really helpful. I'm surprised that the pinstriping lasted as long as it did, up to around serial 11,000 – I was expecting it to be in the under-1,000 range.

Are there any other differences for the first-out-of-the-factory units that you've noticed?

When did the ID plate move from the interior adjacent to the front grill? And the horn U-mount changed at some point as well early on.

Here're some notes of early differences that I've been capturing:

• Ratchet sounding crank
• Horn front mount ('U' slot vs 'post/horn hole')
• Pinstriping on gear cover and bedplate: Under serial 11,0000
• Edison signature on rear bedplate 
• Exposed speed control through gear cover
• Data plate position (interior adjacent to horn, bedplate rear, inside front side lid)
• Reproducer retaining screw(s): one vs. two
• Reproducer: nickel finish vs black finish

If you're still collecting data, I can forward details from mine (3-digital serial in the 700s)..

Thanks again for tracking the data!

Patrick

[Jerry]

Great! Had no idea that they were ever striped in that manner. Thanks!

[NateO]

Patrick, 

 

I'd be happy to add your Amberola 30 to my list! Would you be willing to share some photos of it? I've been keeping a file of images for each of the machines in my study so I can always refer back to them. 

 

I show the movement of the ID plate from the cabinet interior to the rear bedplate occurring somewhere between 56000 and 60000. It moved from the bedplate to the lid between 140773 and 141475. Most sellers of the earlier 30s probably don't know to look in the cabinet for that data plate (or it's poorly photographed) so I have less data on the earlier machines than I do the later ones. 

 

I'm recording all the data you mention, with the exception of the ratchet sounding crank. I know that's a feature of the earliest machines, but since I've built my data on old sales listing photos, I haven't been able to ask about that yet, but definitely will note it when I officially start a survey. I can't say I've noticed any other unique features on the earliest machines, but my sample size for them is also quite small. I'd love to get an early 30 myself someday. The only example I own is 226177, in the late style simplified cabinet.

 

The data I've been collecting so far for the Amberola 30 is:

• Data plate style (Black japanned vs. Brass)
• Data plate location
• Pinstripes (Full striping, Edison decal only or none)
• External Speed control (yes or no)
• Reproducer set screws (one or two)
• Reproducer type and finish (Diamond C in nickel or black or Model H)
• Mandrel shape (flat end or rounded 'bullet' end)
• Horn guide shape (V-notch, loop or post)
• Lid support (one or two screw)
• Motor board screws (flush mounted on the earliest machines or rounded on later)
• Mandrel (The dull grey end of the mandrel is nickel on some of the last 30s)
• Cabinet style (I've noted 4 distinct cabinet styles) and cabinet factory number (when possible)

 

I've been collecting the same information for the Amberola 50 and 75, though those models retained the same cabinet style for their production lifetimes (for the most part, the 50 has some special exceptions I plan to post about later).

 

Edited 7 hours ago by NateO
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