I've collected 30+ years and in that time have seen or purchased several Victrolas that were injured because someone used a screwdriver to pry open the locked lid. I've always wondered what was that knucklehead thinking? (Can you tell where this is going?) Today I purchased a beautiful golden oak VV-XVI that was eighty miles from home. I removed the motor board and tone arm to lighten the load and locked the lid. I'm home now and I can't get the lid unlocked. I have only tried the original key that came with the machine. Does anyone have a suggestion before I head to Sears for a new screwdriver set? Thanks, Jerry Blais
____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433 From a...@popyrus.com Sun Aug 26 21:10:23 2007 From: a...@popyrus.com (Andrew Baron) Date: Sun Aug 26 21:23:45 2007 Subject: [Phono-L] Official A-250 Questionnaire directions, update 8-26-07 In-Reply-To: <baadc289-a119-498a-b11c-459e20ad7...@oldcrank.com> References: <7fbd48b4-241c-4394-8f2c-d798104e4...@popyrus.com> <baadc289-a119-498a-b11c-459e20ad7...@oldcrank.com> Message-ID: <7ae2abd0-b35f-4b4b-86d0-175daf9e5...@popyrus.com> In answer to inquiries, and for your convenience, here is the updated questionnaire with directions for filling it out. Thank you, each and every one who continues to contribute to this database. I'll continue to post updates with the actual cumulative data, as well as summaries of what I've learned from comparing this information. Andy Baron Santa Fe, NM QUESTIONNAIRE -- Please mail or email results to: a...@popyrus.com (note spelling of popyrus is not conventional). Edison A-250 Search for differences in details, and study to determine approximate time of manufacture. To see early vs. late details, Refer to photos posted on: http:// homepage.mac.com/pjfraser/phono/PhotoAlbum233.html Directions from Peter Fraser on accessing these photos: the password is "pook2e" (no quotes). To see details of John D. Robles? A-250, refer to http:// s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/john9ten/Edison%20A-250/ DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING OUT QUESTIONNAIRE: Type your machine?s serial number(s) after the word ?Serial #? only on the detail that matches your machine, leave the detail that doesn?t apply blank. For example, if your machine is serial number 13417, and it has the late style Start/stop levers: 2) Start/stop levers style: EARLY: Serial # LATE: Serial #13417 If the motor board has a different serial number than the dataplate on the cabinet, please list results for specific motor and motor board details under the motor board serial number (found under platter). For question 5 (tone modulator), if your machine has different serial numbers, please include both and indicate which is which, for example: Serial #12033 (bedplate), #13417(dataplate). All other results should be listed under the dataplate number. Note that Motor board serial numbers are listed without their A1 suffix, and Cabinet (dataplate) numbers are listed without their SM prefix. 1) Model number: A-250 1a) Serial number: SM-______ 1b) Serial number stamped on bedplate, under platter, if different: _____ A1 2) Start/stop levers style: EARLY: Serial #: LATE: Serial #: 3) Bedplate corner detail: EARLY: Serial #: MIDDLE (Similar to early but dots in different place): Serial #: LATE: Serial #: 4) # of PIVOTING oil hole covers on bedplate: TWO: Serial #: ONE: Serial #: OTHER (indicate number of PIVOTING covers): Serial#: 5) Tone modulator present?: NO: Serial #: YES: Serial #: 6) Key escutcheon style: FLUSH MOUNT EMBEDDED: Serial #: SURFACE MOUNT WITH TWO GOLD TRIM NAILS: Serial #: 7) Depth of upper grille groove: 1/4 INCH: Serial #: 1/2 INCH: Serial #: OTHER (indicate measurement): Serial # 7b) Grille fretwork thickness: 5/16 INCH: Serial #: 1/4 INCH: Serial #: 3/8 INCH: Serial #: OTHER: Serial #: 7c) Overall height of grill frame: 13 3/4 INCH: Serial #: 13 7/8 INCH: Serial #: OTHER (indicate measurement): Serial #: 8) Louvres on cabinet as per Amberola 1A? YES: Serial #: NO: Serial #: 9) Side veneer number of sections per panel: ONE: Serial #: TWO: Serial #: THREE: Serial #: 10) Form 632 present? NO: Serial #: YES: Serial #: 10a) Location of Form 632: INSIDE BACK DOOR (upside down when closed): Serial #: FLOOR OF HORN COMPARTMENT: Serial #: OTHER (indicate location): Serial #: 10b) Printer?s date at bottom of Form 632: 11-20-12: Serial #: 4-3-14: Serial #: 8-20-14: Serial #: OTHER (indicate date printed on bottom of form): Serial #: 11) Latest patent date on dataplate: 8-29-11: Serial #: 3-11-13: Serial #: OTHER (indicate latest patent date): Serial #: 12) Other notes: (Please add any unusual or undocumented details of your machine after ?a? below): a) There may be a second paper measuring 2 1/2 x 1 1/8, printed with ?No:____, Disc Phonograph, Model A-250? affixed to the floor of horn compartment by two tacks. Serial # b) c) d) 13) Owner (optional): Serial #: 14) Direction of winding gear teeth in relation to crank: STRAIGHT: Serial #: ANGLED: Serial #: 15) Oil tubes present at winding stem bushings? (this is a tube pair from a single cup): NO: Serial #: YES: Serial #: 16) Serial number (matching or otherwise) stamped in motor frame? - Please also indicate if different from other serial numbers. NO: Serial #: YES: Bedplate Serial #:______; Motor frame serial number (if different): #_______. 17) Evidence of original grille cloth, and color? NO: Serial #: YES: Serial #: Color: 18) Cabinet finish (may add more specifics later): Red mahogany: Serial #: Dark mahogany: Serial #: Oak: Serial #: Other: Serial#: 19) Number of mainsprings (Frow indicates earliest production may have had single-spring motors). Spring barrels are visible if you remove the grille and peer into the motor compartment by looking in the upper r.h. corner. A flashlight helps. The spring closest to the winding crank will be more visible. One: Serial #: Two: Serial #: