1927 EDISONIC BEETHOVEN

DIAMOND DISC PHONOGRAPH

PICTURES WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO LOAD!

This Web Site is hosted for Carsten Fischer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5X_R5Xmd4

Watch this YouTube Video of the Machine playing a great 1923 rendition of Yes! We have no Bananas.

Production History of this Model

1925 was a watershed moment in the recording industry: The introduction of electric Victrola records and new Orthophonic Victrolas provided louder bass and volume, and an increased overall fidelity.
Thomas Alva Edison considered electric recordings inferior to his acoustic Diamond Disc process, and dismissed louder volume as the passing fad of a misguided public. Nevertheless, in March 1926 a new Dance Reproducer was offered with increased volume and a somewhat strident tone.
Finally, in July 1927 the first electrically recorded Diamond Discs were offered.
The absence of a suitable player for these new electric records was a serious problem: T A Edison’s son, Theodore Edison, supervised the development of a new reproducer and phonograph line was designed in imitation of the superb sound quality of the Orthophonic Victrolas.
The new line of EDISONIC Reproducers and phonographs was optimized for the wider frequency range of electric records, but they also greatly improved the sound of the often excellently recorded older acoustic discs.

George Frow states in his book on the Edison Phonograph: “The acoustic Edisonics were the Edison answer to the Orthophonic Victrola, the enlarged tone chamber and spring loaded reproducer providing a greater volume output.”

Technically, the differences of the Edisonic reproducer vs. the Standard Reproducer are an enlarged floating weight, a modified diaphragm, a metal thread stiffened silk chord and a counteracting spring above the stylus head.
The Edisonic’s impressive bass and a wider tonal range make it the best sounding Edison Diamond Disc reproducer. The Edisonic phonograph has an enlarged horn for better bass response. It is the largest horn used in any DD phonograph. Other subtle details, like the large grille and patterned grille cloth, spring loaded lids and the use of expensive figured veneers brings design of the Edisonic in line with the fine Victrolas of the late 1920s. These were also the first Edison Phonographs to have doors over the horn openings.

Introduced with great fanfare at the Chicago National Music’s Dealer convention in September 1927, the Edisonic Diamond Disc Phonographs were the technically most advanced of the Edison machines. However, even these last flagship models of Edison production could not prevent the further decline of Edison sales, and over the short, 18 months production run, only a small number of machines was sold. Edisonic phonographs nowadays are some of the rarest Edison models to be found.

The 1927 Edisonic line-up comprised two models:

The small Edisonic Schubert was a stripped-down entry model for $135.50. In a rather plain cabinet, it had a small one-spring motor and storage space for only 20 records.
The Schubert model seems to have been the more successful of the models, as examples turn up on occasion.

The Edisonic Beethoven was the top-of-the-line phonograph for $225. The strong two spring motor, storage space for 60 records and a large horn were housed in an exquisite cabinet with bookmatched figured mahogany veneer fronts. The two part lid is spring supported. The intricately shaped grille is backed by a patterned cloth. Total production is estimated at only 1,500 examples. Nowadays the Beethoven is a rare machine, significantly rarer than the Schubert. I am aware of only 8 Beethovens in the hands of collectors.

Edisonic Beethoven

Measurements: 39 3/8” x 24 /18” x 21”

Weight approx. 150 lbs.

Cabinet is made from mahogany with highly figured book matched door panels. Satin fish in reddish-brown mahogany. Cabinet is a post and rail construction with veneered solid wood panels. Two flap top with spring support opens over record and player compartments. Four turned solid mahogany legs with stretchers. Doors open on hinges, raised bead at the edges, mitred, inlaid 2” border and bookmatched raised central panel,
Intricate speaker grille with patterned silk or rayon backing. All hardware is gun metal finish with decorative wipe effects.
Record storage for 60 records with red leatherette dividers. Number strips 1-30, 31-60, number strip in bottom compartment has a red velvet lining.
“The Edisonic” decal on the back of the player compartment.

Improved NEW EDISON DISC MOTOR 2-spring with shock-proof governor. Black japanned bedplate with T A Edison decal. Levers and winding key gun metal plated, handles black painted wood. 12” turntable with orange felt. Rim gun-metal plated. Special, large Edisonic horn, black japanned with upper part gun metal plated. Edisonic reproducer in gun-metal finish with wipe effects.

Photos of the Edisonic Beethoven Diamond Disc Phonograph

The rare Edisonic Beethoven is the last and greatest Diamond Disc Phonograph ever produced by Edison. It does miracles to the sound of any acoustic Diamond Disc, and excels with the electric records. Once you heard it, you don’t want to go back to your regular Laboratory Model!
Its superb cabinetry and side-by-side configuration makes it a welcome relief from the usually square and somber looking Edison Phonographs.

You really have to hear the superb sound quality of a well serviced example.

As always, I am happy to hear from you, shoot me a message at

Sgimips1 “at” yahoo “dot” com

For color calibration, here is the turntable in natural light.

The orange is the same as of the Credenza felt.

Return