Cleaning up a Triumph after a long slumber in dustville.  April 7, 2007

This is a bit of a whirlwind overview of last nights phonographic exploits in cleaning and repairing this fabulous Edison Triumph "A".
As you see below, this is as I found it.  Didn't even wipe the dust off the lid!  Industrial rigging for what must have been a heavy horn.
Also has rigging on the back panel for what I surmise is a recording horn? (not pictured yet).  I LIKE 'EM DUSTY AND DIRTY!
Better than polished up with urethane and gawd knows what-other-crap "old guys" love to fix these up with.  I'm urgin for virgin, baby!

Notice, that this is has square corner posts...not rounded.  (earlier).  My best estimate is that this is a late 1901 or early 1902.   There is tar
spatted everywhere on cabinet, including that precious celluloid dealer tag.  


Has its original 2-min "C" reproducer, peeking from out back.  Has a complete 2/4 minute conversion kit, with the additional 4-min "H"
reproducer, AND a working 2-min recorder!


FILTHY FILTHY FILTHY...................I LOVE IT!


Feedscrew is varnished solid on mandrel shaft, and everything is gummed up like cement.   All gold filigree is intact, and very strong!




EVERY glue joint was loose.    Required complete disassembly of cabinet for re-glueing!   Check out the green
factory stain.  From the above pics, you wouldn't really realize that this is quarter sawn green oak!


Bedplate is cleaned, and ready for the top works!    


What 2-applications of Kotton Klenser, and a lot of patience creates:  There's that green oak!



Had to de-grease everything.  But, was surprised to find absolutely no rust or corrosion on any of the parts!  Disassembled shaver
and cleaned out all the wax residue with alcohol.  


Clean and ready to play.  On the rear top frame, there were some old repairs done (these often crack from the immense weight
of the mechanism.)   I removed the majority of the tac nails the previous owner put there, and did some wood chip replacement.
I will eventually finish the repair when I have some oak scraps to use for filling the grain and perfecting the color.


Now, scroll to the top, and compare this picture with what it looked like BEFORE!!!    Thanks for looking!