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Edison Triumph Cylinder Phonograph with Automatic Repeater – Rare Early Model, Fully Restored
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Timeless Treasures
Here at 4-4 Time, we strive to bring you the best that we can locate. Most of our items are a hundred years of age and older, and all are in working condition unless mentioned in the description. These are timeless items which will become heirlooms for your family and future generations. Have questions about one of our items or looking for something in particular? Send us a message or give us a call. We’ll be glad to help!
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🎼 Cylinder Types & The Reproducers They Require
Early phonograph cylinders weren’t all the same. Each era used different materials, groove sizes, and playback speeds—so choosing the right reproducer is essential for proper sound and to protect the record. This quick guide helps collectors understand what they have, what they need, and where to explore more cylinders in our shop.
🟤 Gold Moulded & Standard 2‑Minute Cylinders (c. 1898–1912)
What they are: The classic brown or black wax cylinders most collectors recognize. Edison’s “Gold Moulded” process improved consistency and volume, but these are still soft wax and require gentle handling.
Playback:
- Speed: 160 RPM
- Reproducer: Edison Model C (or equivalent 2‑minute reproducer)
- Why it matters: A 4‑minute reproducer will cut into the grooves and destroy the cylinder.
Explore our 2‑Minute Cylinder Selection →Click Here: https://4-4time.com/product-category/phonograph-cylinders/2-minute-cylinders/
💚 Green‑Box Amberol Cylinders (4‑Minute, 1908–1912)
What they are: Edison’s first 4‑minute format. These early Amberols still used wax, but with much finer grooves to double the playing time. They came in distinctive green boxes.
Playback:
- Speed: 160 RPM
- Reproducer: Edison Model H (4‑minute reproducer)
- Important: Never play these with a Model C. The stylus is too wide and will instantly damage the grooves.
Explore our Amberol (4‑Minute Wax) Selection → Click Here: https://4-4time.com/product-category/phonograph-cylinders/4-minute-cylinders/
🔵 Blue Amberol Cylinders (4‑Minute, 1912–1929)
What they are: Edison’s most durable and best‑sounding cylinders. Made of molded celluloid over a plaster core, they offer strong volume, clarity, and long life. These are the blue cylinders most collectors love.
Playback:
- Speed: 160 RPM
- Reproducer: Edison Model H or Diamond B (for Diamond Disc machines with adapters)
- Why collectors love them: They resist wear far better than wax and often survive in excellent playing condition.
Explore our Blue Amberol Selection → Click here: https://4-4time.com/product-category/phonograph-cylinders/4-minute-cylinders/
🕰 Why the Right Reproducer Matters
Each cylinder type uses a different groove pitch:
- 2‑minute = 100 TPI (threads per inch)
- 4‑minute = 200 TPI
Using the wrong reproducer means the stylus rides incorrectly in the groove—causing distortion at best and permanent damage at worst. Matching the cylinder to the correct reproducer ensures the best sound and preserves these historic recordings for future collectors.
🎧 Ready to Explore?
Whether you’re building a focused collection or discovering cylinders for the first time, our curated selections make it easy to browse by format, era, and material. Visit our full Cylinder Collection → Click Here: https://4-4time.com/product-category/phonograph-cylinders/
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4-4 Time Featured in
Antique Week
Never mind the questionable sound quality, the cracks and pops. The sometimes cumbersome equipment and having to change a needle after every play. Not to mention the limitations of a personal record library. At a time when an internet connection is all that’s needed for access to a wide variety of streamed music, there are those who prefer not to rely on modern technology for their listening pleasure. Because, at the intersection of art and science, antique phonographs continue to delight collectors by providing original music without electricity, wires, or tubes.
The invention of the phonograph was an evolving process, with twists and turns along the way. In 1877, Thomas Edison, to his great astonishment, successfully recorded (and played back) his recitation of “Mary had a little lamb” using a tinfoilcoated cylinder. A patent for his machine, which was intended not for musical enjoyment but for recording business dictation, was granted in...
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