Playing cylinders at 90 rpm

[iainp]

My collection of cylinders continues to grow. I picked up this language lesson recording from ebay this week and was surprised to see that it is supposed to be played at 90 rpm rather than 160, which I don't think is possible on my Edison Standard (unless there's a button I'm missing somewhere...)

It's not a problem as it's easy to slow it down using software, but it's a shame not to be able to hear it played acoustically.

A couple of questions then; wasn't it odd to release recordings which couldn't be played on the 'standard' machine of its day?? Also, why didn't Edison release all recordings at 90 rpm, since that would allow 3+ minutes of play time rather than 2?
Regards, Iain

Attachments:

[maroongem]

Iain,

That cylinder was for Edison's ICS (International Correspondence School) machine. These machines resemble the earlier Mod. A Standard as they retain the speed control knob above the bed plate as well as a repeating attachment that allowed you to play back a section by pressing down on a key on the bar that was attached to the knife edge. This would lift the carriage arm and set it back several grooves.
Your speed control is beneath the bed plate but you should be able to slow it down to 90 and listen to the record.

Bill

Here is an example.
edisonphonos.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=downloadattachmentpage&board=cylindertalk&thread=1281&post=8054

[iainp]

Thanks, I'll try that now. Actually I got a brown wax cylinder this week, which also seemed to be running a little fast so I can have a go with that too,
Regards,

Iain

[lucius1958]

As for the difference in playing speeds: 80 or 90 rpm was adequate for spoken-word cylinders; but when it came to musical recordings, the higher speeds gave much better fidelity. This was the reason the 5 inch cylinders were introduced: you got a higher surface speed, with the same running time as a regular brown wax cylinder (which generally played at about 120 rpm).

By the early 1900s, the harder-surfaced, moulded black wax cylinders, with a higher speed of 160 rpm, became the industry standard, and the 5 inch records became obsolete.

By the way: if you're planning on collecting brown waxes, it would be advisable to invest in a lighter weight reproducer to play them (like a Model B); or else find a machine with a 'floating' reproducer, such as an early Columbia or Pathé, to reduce wear on such records....

Bill

[iainp]

Hi Bill, I just noticed your second message, sorry for late reply. Yes, I'm waiting for delivery of a Q Columbia machine right now! I'll post it up once I have it, and get it running (it will need a belt, and possibly a service)

Maroongem: Re the speed control on my Edison Standard, I took a look at the link you sent, and assumed that when I looked under the bed plate of my machine, everything would become clear, but I'm having to admit defeat: I still can't see which button/screw/knob to adjust. Could you advise further please? ;-)
Many thanks,
Iain

[refseries]

I have a couple of quertions about the Edison ICS cylinders:

1. The wax two minute cylinders were some of the first moulded Edisons, launched in September 1901. They were superseded by 100tpi blue Amberol versions, presumably soon after the celluloid records were launched in November 1912. When did Edison stop producing the wax versions?

2. The ICS cylinders were 200tpi by mid 1915. When did the 200tpi's start? When did the 100tpi's stop?

Any ideas?

Keith

[maroongem]

Jan 16, 2013 13:43:35 GMT -5 iainp said:

Maroongem: Re the speed control on my Edison Standard, I took a look at the link you sent, and assumed that when I looked under the bed plate of my machine, everything would become clear, but I'm having to admit defeat: I still can't see which button/screw/knob to adjust. Could you advise further please? ;-)
Many thanks,
Iain

Iain,

Sorry for not replying sooner, just saw this now. Here is the location of the speed control. This is on a Standard B but they are all in the same location after the A seires. Turning it counter clockwise will speed it up (by moving the governor pads away from the governor) and clockwise for slower.

[maroongem]

Feb 2, 2013 6:19:44 GMT -5 refseries said:

I have a couple of quertions about the Edison ICS cylinders:

1. The wax two minute cylinders were some of the first moulded Edisons, launched in September 1901. They were superseded by 100tpi blue Amberol versions, presumably soon after the celluloid records were launched in November 1912. When did Edison stop producing the wax versions?

2. The ICS cylinders were 200tpi by mid 1915. When did the 200tpi's start? When did the 100tpi's stop?

Any ideas?

Keith

Keith,

The BAs (and other 4M cylinders) were 200 tpi. New 2M (100 tpi) production ceased in 1912 but existing stock was offered by Edison until early 1914. 4M Amberol production was also stopped for the U.S. at the same time (1912) to make way for the new BAs, but apparently was still producing 4M Amberols for the foreign market until late in 1913.
200 tpi for Edison would have begun when he offered the 4M Amberol in 1908.

Bill