This little beauty came my way this year (2024), together with a handful of cylinders. It has been fitted with the Edison adapter (the black gear housing closest to the camera) which enables one to switch from 4 minute cylinders to 2 minute cylinders. This gearing controls the speed of the travel of the reproducer as it moves from one end of the cylinder to the other - it needs to go slower for a 4" cylinder.
My model came with the H reproducer which plays the 4" cylinders. I am looking for a Model C reproducer that will play the 2" cylinders, but they are rather pricey! The reproducer sits at the base of the horn, and the difference between the differing models is the size of the stylus, which is smaller for the 4" cylinders. Unlike phonographs of the same period, that require the steel needle to be changed with every record played. the styli on these models are usually sapphire, although some later iterations of Models A, B, and C were fitted with diamond styli, and are permanent.
May I suggest that anyone interested in Edison cylinder players try to obtain George L. Frow's excellent book 'A Guide To The Edison Cylinder Phonograph'? (Francis Anthony Co. St. Austell, Cornwall, UK, 1970). It covers Spring-Driven models from 1895-1929, and besides containing dozens of pictures and specifications of various models, makes for an absorbing read.
My thanks to Michael Sleder for pointing out some errors in an earlier draft of this post.
Since writing the above, I have found a 'C' reproducer, and fitted new copper diaphragms and gaskets to it and to the Model 'H'. A bit of a fiddly job but not impossible. Just be aware that the screws are very tiny, so the safest procedure is to lay out a large clean while towel on your workbench, and then find a very large bowl from the kitchen to catch the screws that you inevitably drop. The sound definitely improved after doing this, but is, how shall I put it, how it is.
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