•Hello, everyone: I have seen a number of comments about whether there are lists like MMD for people who collect vintage phonographs and 78-rpm records. There are, and I subscribe to three such lists. There are also a couple of chat rooms for vintage phono collectors, one of which is Thursday nights...

•During the current discussions of 78 RPM turntables, several mentions were made of styli, which reminds me that I need a new stylus for my 33-1/3 RPM turntable. Can anyone recommend a source? Thanks. Bruce Miller Issaquah, WA

•Damon Atchison asked, in 990706 MMD, about a phonograph ad he had been given. The ad dates from 1908 or 1909. I see the reference to Edison's list of March records, available Feb. 25th, so I would assume Feb. 1908 or Feb. 1909. Edison had stopped making cylinder players of that sort by 1912 or so; ...

•Hi, I recall some past discussions about phonographs here and would like to ask a question. While in Buffalo N.Y, I bought a 1940 Philco console radio/phonograph combination, model 48-1270. I chose this because my parents had that exact model, and I have very fond memories of sitting in the parlor ...

•Spencer Chase asked in MMDigest 990731: > I have purchased a Victor Schoolhouse Orthophonic phonograph (in > quartered oak) that needs a lot of help. It is missing the following > parts: tone arm tower, turntable, and reproducer. Any information on > how to obtain these would be appreciated. Two ve...

•Wow, sounds like you've got quite the restoration project ahead of you! First question: is your machine a true Orthophonic School model, or an Orthophonic Model 8-9 (the home version of the machine)? I have an 8-9, which is pictured on my site . The school version differs in having simpler cabinet ...

•Andy Taylor's low audio output on his "modernized" Philco phono (the quotes are for the CD generation) could be caused by at least two factors. One, he may have used a magnetic cartridge, whose output is not only low impedance but very low voltage. Better to use a ceramic or crystal cartridge, alth...

•-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD -- We have just purchased a Mills Empress juke box, in rough shape. It's labeled Mills Automatic Phonograph and we think it was built in the 1930's. Do you have a repair manual and/or parts for sale? The juke box takes 78's and will be a winter proj...

•The Mills Empress was manufactured in 1939, and is a beautiful example of Art Deco styling. The down side of it is that Mills manufactured very few boxes compared to the big four: Wurlitzer, AMI, Seeburg, and Rockola. There are very few replacement parts being made for them, if any at all. If the p...

•Hi Jody, I have a second project to ask about. I have been given an Edison Cylinder Player. So far it looks like it needs a drive belt. This machine was built in New Jersey and sold by the Theodore F. Bentel Co. at 121 6th street in Pittsburgh. I am looking for any information on this machine or th...

•You have a Concert model, made between 1899 and 1908. In my experience they are pretty rare -- I recall seeing just one in several years at the Union, IL phono fest -- and I believe I saw one or two cylinders. I hope you have or can find some. The purpose of the large Concert 5" cylinder was to get...

•A friend of mine, Al Sefl, co-authored with George L. Frow "The Edison Cylinder Phonographs 1877-1929", George L. Frow Sevenoaks, Kent, England, 1978. Al had this to say regarding a couple of recent postings on the Edison subject. While Al is not (yet) on MMD, his knowledge on the subject of Edison...

•I received in the mail today an auction notice for a prop house and special effects shop. Among many tools and props is a 1912 Thomas Edison Phonograph. No description. Auction is Tuesday March 7 at 11 AM. Location is 4400 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. Auctioneer's phone: 818/763-2021 John Spradley S...

•Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has any good method of removing a cylinder from the mandrel of an Edison Concert/Opera player. This is the 5" diameter cylinder. It was put on when the player was put in the attic more than 35 years ago. Unfortunately, the cylinder already has a crack in it and I may not...

•Some years ago I had a similar problem. I stood the machine on end and propped it there for a few days while I let a bit of WD-40 work its way down. I think it was about a week or so when I was able to remove the cylinder without and damage to it or the player. The mandrel diameter was less than fi...

•Years ago I found some rare Edison 2-minute B series opera cylinders at a flea market. They had been sitting in the hot sun all day in their boxes. When we got home I eagerly stuck one of the still warm cylinders on the cold mandrel of my cylinder phonograph. After playing the record, to my horror ...

•Does anyone have any information on the Victrola "Credenza"? I was told this was Victrola's last attempt to stay alive when the electronic phonographs started to come out. It appears to have a double horn and is quite loud for being mechanically reproduced. Also, I am working on a Mills Novelty Fer...

•In 1925 both Victor and Columbia licensed the Western Electric process for electrical recording. Victor's Orthophonic Victrolas were introduced at the same time as the new records, and had some other Western Electric innovations: exponential shaped horns, and an improved reproducer, which made them...

•The "Credenza" was one of the largest models of Victors "Orthophonic" line, introduced in the mid-1920s. Designed in conjunction with Bell Labs, the Orthophonics were mechanical phonographs (mostly spring- wound, although they could also be purchased with electric motors to drive the turntable) whi...

•The Credenza was the top of the line in Victor's "Orthophonic" line of acoustic players of thin, lateral-cut 78 RPM disc records. Yes, the overall design was by Bell Labs. Orthophonic records were recorded and mastered electronically, and play much louder and with stronger bass than the earlier aco...