Each Edison reproducer has its own serial number. The B D CHK and the small tops shared serial numbers, the R and S shared serial numbers, the O and N shared serial numbers. The N-56 can be found with both R&S and O&N serial numbers. The DD reproducers all have serial numbers, they started out with just numbers and ran through F. I saw a home on eBay with the serial number drilled off, I wonder if they knew the serial number is also under the ID plate? Edison DD reproducers have letters before the serial numbers some are codes: On the regular reproducer Edison started out with numbers and worked his way up and then started over with A and he got clear up to the letter F. On the regular DD you will note numbers & A to F on the standard DD reproducer. With the DD reproducers the letter designations appear to have been changed when he made changes or improvements to the reproducers. Except for in the A series when the when the dome of the cup was made thicker resulting in about a 2 oz. weight increase and the elimination of the inner sleeve these changes are not readily noticeable visually, but the later ones have better sound.
NS after the serial number is an Edisonic 7960 NS is an example of this. NS after the serial number beginning with letter is a Converted Edisonic F88690 NS is an example of this. You could trade in a regular reproducer with $6.75 and save $12.75 on an Edisonic that normally cost $19.50; Edison then modified the head with a larger limit loop and installed the heavy weight and thicker diaphragm on it. The standard diaphragm varies between .009 and .011; the Edisonic is more consistent around .0125. The cheap yellow notebook paper is .003, common white paper is .005. LG is long play LonG EM is one with Duncan stop Electric Model LD is the Dance Loud Dance NS stands for New Standard. Each phonograph and reproducer had a serial number, when the model O came out it was two days wages and Edison was serious about keeping track and control of his products mainly to protect his patents. With regards to DD serial numbers, 947, a copper oxidized is the earliest serial number I have seen, F80885 in the gun metal or antique finish is the latest and it was converted to an Edisonic so the serial number is F80885 NS. I have seen three Dance reproducers that were converted to the New Standard they have serial numbers like LD 9838 NS, LD 9476 NS, and did not have the small spring or the cross bar it was connected to above the reproducer’s cup. I have seen two with the Duncan stop that have been converted with serial numbers like EM 8497 NS. > Do you have the Serial numbers or some other identifying marks on those items > that were stolen. So if they show up on Craigslist or Ebay, we can trap those > the sleazy Crooks that made off with the Reproducers ?? > _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
