Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E
Yes or sometimes has a seperate boss for letter Sent from my iPhone On Feb 24, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Tom Jordan wrote: > Please excuse this possibly obvious question, but is the model of Gem D, E, > etc., identified by the letter preceding the rest of the serial number? For > instance, I have a GEM with a serial number of G694916. Sometimes what > seems obvious really isn't. That's why I ask. > Thank you. > Tom > > -Original Message- > From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On > Behalf Of clockworkh...@aol.com > Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:40 PM > To: phono-l@oldcrank.org > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E > > The Model D Gems are not uncommon but one in perfect shape is scarce at > best. The 2 and 4 minute Gem D is a good machine but the K Reproducer has > issues of its own and must be in great shape for best sound reproduction. > The > very rare Gem Model E has the larger diaphragm N Reproducer which plays 4 > minute Amberol Records very nicely. > > There are Gem Ds on eBay with great regularity. They vary in price from > $650 to $2,000+ (all original cleaned up and looking brand new) depending on > > who is bidding and the presentation of the machine in the photos. The horn > condition is always a problem since the clear lacquer red tint is easily > worn > off, chipped off, and scratched off. The maroon paint on the machine is > not that durable either. > > It is my estimate that less than 300 Gem Model E machines were made. > Probably less than 50 have survived and having collected for nearly 50 years > I > have only known of 4 examples. The Gem E on eBay now is the fourth machine > and from the opening bid price the seller knows of the rarity. The serials > numbers were intermixed with the late Gem D so the only accurate source of > the > information would the archives at the Edison National Historic Site which > are closed to all but a few. > > Regards to all, > > Al > > ___ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > > ___ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E
The earlier phonos had the first letter of the machine in the serial number like the H in home and S in standard and G in gem. The early C and D models have the C or D at the end of the serial number. In 1908 for a while the B C and D models were made at the same time which is why you will see a lot of variety. I have seen a Gem D with the Gem decal and a home B with the decals instead of the pin striping on the bedplate. The home, standards, and Gems went to decals on the bedplate so you see variety, the Triumph never had decals. The later D models and all the E and later have a space for the model designation. You can see recycled ID plates with one model Xed out and another stamped in. Any corrections are appreciated. > From: tom...@msn.com > To: phono-l@oldcrank.org > Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:49:37 -0600 > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E > > Please excuse this possibly obvious question, but is the model of Gem D, E, > etc., identified by the letter preceding the rest of the serial number? For > instance, I have a GEM with a serial number of G694916. Sometimes what > seems obvious really isn't. That's why I ask. > Thank you. > Tom > > -Original Message- > From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On > Behalf Of clockworkh...@aol.com > Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:40 PM > To: phono-l@oldcrank.org > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E > > The Model D Gems are not uncommon but one in perfect shape is scarce at > best. The 2 and 4 minute Gem D is a good machine but the K Reproducer has > issues of its own and must be in great shape for best sound reproduction. > The > very rare Gem Model E has the larger diaphragm N Reproducer which plays 4 > minute Amberol Records very nicely. > > There are Gem Ds on eBay with great regularity. They vary in price from > $650 to $2,000+ (all original cleaned up and looking brand new) depending on > > who is bidding and the presentation of the machine in the photos. The horn > condition is always a problem since the clear lacquer red tint is easily > worn > off, chipped off, and scratched off. The maroon paint on the machine is > not that durable either. > > It is my estimate that less than 300 Gem Model E machines were made. > Probably less than 50 have survived and having collected for nearly 50 years > I > have only known of 4 examples. The Gem E on eBay now is the fourth machine > and from the opening bid price the seller knows of the rarity. The serials > numbers were intermixed with the late Gem D so the only accurate source of > the > information would the archives at the Edison National Historic Site which > are closed to all but a few. > > Regards to all, > > Al > > ___ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > > ___ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E
Please excuse this possibly obvious question, but is the model of Gem D, E, etc., identified by the letter preceding the rest of the serial number? For instance, I have a GEM with a serial number of G694916. Sometimes what seems obvious really isn't. That's why I ask. Thank you. Tom -Original Message- From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On Behalf Of clockworkh...@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:40 PM To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E The Model D Gems are not uncommon but one in perfect shape is scarce at best. The 2 and 4 minute Gem D is a good machine but the K Reproducer has issues of its own and must be in great shape for best sound reproduction. The very rare Gem Model E has the larger diaphragm N Reproducer which plays 4 minute Amberol Records very nicely. There are Gem Ds on eBay with great regularity. They vary in price from $650 to $2,000+ (all original cleaned up and looking brand new) depending on who is bidding and the presentation of the machine in the photos. The horn condition is always a problem since the clear lacquer red tint is easily worn off, chipped off, and scratched off. The maroon paint on the machine is not that durable either. It is my estimate that less than 300 Gem Model E machines were made. Probably less than 50 have survived and having collected for nearly 50 years I have only known of 4 examples. The Gem E on eBay now is the fourth machine and from the opening bid price the seller knows of the rarity. The serials numbers were intermixed with the late Gem D so the only accurate source of the information would the archives at the Edison National Historic Site which are closed to all but a few. Regards to all, Al ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
Re: [Phono-L] Gem D or E
The Model D Gems are not uncommon but one in perfect shape is scarce at best. The 2 and 4 minute Gem D is a good machine but the K Reproducer has issues of its own and must be in great shape for best sound reproduction. The very rare Gem Model E has the larger diaphragm N Reproducer which plays 4 minute Amberol Records very nicely. There are Gem Ds on eBay with great regularity. They vary in price from $650 to $2,000+ (all original cleaned up and looking brand new) depending on who is bidding and the presentation of the machine in the photos. The horn condition is always a problem since the clear lacquer red tint is easily worn off, chipped off, and scratched off. The maroon paint on the machine is not that durable either. It is my estimate that less than 300 Gem Model E machines were made. Probably less than 50 have survived and having collected for nearly 50 years I have only known of 4 examples. The Gem E on eBay now is the fourth machine and from the opening bid price the seller knows of the rarity. The serials numbers were intermixed with the late Gem D so the only accurate source of the information would the archives at the Edison National Historic Site which are closed to all but a few. Regards to all, Al ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
[Phono-L] Gem D or E
The late Gems are great machines. The 2&4 minute D model is more commonly found than the four minute only E. Good luck in your search. Jerry Blais ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
