Are there any particular DD's I should look for?

[Deleted]

Since I am still a newbie to this hobby, and board, and have no knowledge of the music Edision recorded. Are there any particular DD's I should be on the look out for. The ones I have, I bought, because I was fortunate to find DD's. I have been told that the white paper lable discs produced between 1927-29, are the best. since they have no noise.

[gramophoneshane]

Hi Paul,
I see you've found Matts board too- welcome.
Yes- the late diamond discs are probably the best ones to keep your eyes out for. I wouldn't say they have no surface noise, but they sound mighty good when compared to the discs edison made with the etched labels during the war.
These later recordings were done electrically and sound clearer and louder. the best way to tell an electric record from the others is by the number at the bottom of the paper label. These records started at 18001,so anything higher in this number series is an electrical recording. These are what most collectors love to find.
Also alot of people want dance band records. These are usually quite good. Also alot of the comedy/vaudville stuff is pretty good. Artists like Collins & Harlan, Jones and Hare, and Billy Murray are pretty popular. There are some unusual records out there that are worth looking for as well- "Let Us Not Forget" by Thomas Edison is one. I also like alot of the march bands and war songs.
Unfortunately there was alot of classical & Edwardian sentimental crap recorded by Edison which alot of people dont like. I personally get pretty much any I come across these days, because Im in Australia and I just dont see them very often any more. Once you've got a couple dozen diamond discs, it wont take you long to decide which sort of music you really like- and I suppose the main thing is to get stuff you like and will listen to. Opera records seem to be getting sort of popular too. I have bought a few cheaply, but I seldom play them. Also, if your lucky you might come across a 12" DD. These are rare though, and worth big bucks. I've been collecting since I was 13, and in 28 yrs, I still haven't found one!
Below is a picture of the label on an electrical recording. The number 52156 is the record catalog number, and down the bottom is 18065, which is the matrix number. This matrix number is what you look at to see if its in the 18000 electric recordings. Hope this helps..
BTW: sorry the pictures not a bit clearer- my scanner doesn't like anything that doesn't sit flat on the glass!

[Deleted]

Yes it does, thank you! BTW: I have a copy of "Let us not Forget" Which is missing the white paper lable, the other side has it. Iknow the first version of this record is on a black etched disc. I never knwe I had it, until I looked up the catalog number, on Phil O'Keaf's personal record collection on his web site. I don't think I paid more the $6.95 for it.

[gramophoneshane]

Good score!
You might like to check this out too!
www.truesoundtransfers.de/disco.htm
This site has a diamond disc discography that I've found I use heaps. You can search by the record catalog number, and it will tell you stuff like the recording date, the artist and stuff as well as the Blue amberol cylinder number if it was transfered. It comes in really handy when you get discs that are missing their labels!

[rocky]

Paul,

I have some MP3 files of Diamond Discs that I've gotten from various sources--many have been posted on the OTVMMB. If you'd like, I will email some to you over the next few days.

Rocky

[gramophoneshane]

That's probably not a bad idea Paul- its a great way to "try before you buy".That way you can figure out who you like without forking out the bucks for stuff you'll never play.
I was thinking to- you might want to post a thread on OTVMMB & here to see if anyone has a paper labelled "L.U.N.F". They might be able to send you a scan that you could print up to replace your missing label. Just a thought

[Deleted]

I've been to Truesound.com, but unfortunetely, I don't have Excel on my computer, so I can not download the file.

That would be fine Rocky! Just click on the mail icon, under my name, and you can email me.

[rocky]

Paul, I'll send them one song at a time, as it's difficult for my system to handle too much information in email enclosures. Rocky

[rocky]

Another way to hear a large number of Edison DD dance tunes is to order the cassettes from American Gramophone & Wireless:

Two cassettes entitled "The Warmth of the 20's"

About 6 cassettes entitled "Roaring 20's Razz-Ma-Tazz on Edison Discs"
members.aol.com/AGW1886/twenties.htm

I ordered everything in the 20's category about 5 years ago and I'm still listening to them. I put the tapes in my cassette Walkman and listen to 20's dance music on the way to the supermarket!

Rocky

[Deleted]

Thanks for the MP3 file Rocky, I really do apperciate it. This now giving me exposeure to music from the 1920's. The only other places I can recall hearing music is either in a museum, or at one of are local Performance House's. Which orgianlly was an old movie house, that has a Wurlitzer 2/8 theater organ in it. Whcih is still played, when they show old silent movies. Which BTW, I'm really gald they still do, becuse they really draw large crowds, as if people were going to see a Blockbuster.

The place, formaly the Tivoli now the Wineberg Center for the Art's Frederick Maryland.

[steve]

Here are the numbers of the electrically recorded DD's.

Finnish: 59305-59306
Spanish/Cuban: 60063-60078 60063 is the earliest, released DD electrical matrix.
German: 57025-57034
52089 to 52651 for the 50,000 series
80885 to 80907 for the 80,000 series
82351 to 82360 for the 82,000 series
Please remember that the 82500 series was not part of the 82000 series.

Blue Amberol 5605 is not "Electric-made" It is an acoustic dub of an electric Diamond Disc Electrically dubbed Blue Amberols did not begin until 5650 and even after that electrical dubs were sporadic until 5700 after which all dubs were electric.

[steve]

Edison Electric Recorded Diamond Discs


Question: Has there been much written or research done on the actual electric process used for Diamond Discs? I have a few 52000 series Diamond Discs and I've noticed that some have a much louder, more immediate sound than others even though they are all electrically recorded i.e. post 52088. When played back electrically they still have a characteristic that sounds like they were recorded through a horn of some type; almost like the sound was focused using an acoustic recording setup, but connected to some sort of electrical transducer at the other end;(i.e. the characteristic of the horn still seems to be there - not sounding like other electric process records using a microphone as in the WE process. For example, I have one record, “That Wonderful Night and You” by Jack Stillman's Orchestra (52258) that sounds awesome when played with an Edisonic reproducer. Another record, Persian Rug by the McAlpineers (52239) while still good and loud, does not have the same sound quality of the later disc.


Ron D:
The first 88 records in the 52000 series are acoustic recordings. Yes, you are correct that studio acoustics were not set up for electric
recording. Edison was still using his old studios at 79 5th Ave. in NYC that had first been opened in 1906. Edison's new electrical recording studios didn't open until late January 1929.
Even before that time, Edison had carried his in-house electrical recording system to its limit and in mid-1928 the Edison Company purchased four RCA recording lathes. You can notice a clear improvement in electric Edison Diamond Discs made with the RCA equipment beginning about catalog number 52250.
Edison recorded both electric and acoustic masters beginning in June 1927. For some months prior to June, the acoustic process had been pushed to the limit to compete with Orthophonic and Viva-Tonal records. Listen to Diamond Discs in the 51900 range of catalog numbers and you will hear some remarkable recordings. And, as you have mentioned, the early 52000 series are excellent examples of what the acoustic process could yield in its last days. To the best of my knowledge and that of Ray Wile, we know of no discs in the first 88 records in the 52000
series that were electric releases. For a few months the acoustic process was still better than Edison's electrical process. However, in August 1927 Edison's engineers were able to make acceptable electric masters and acoustic recording ceased.

[steve]

The white paper labels are good and from 51500 on they are really good. To grade a DD you need to look at the grooves with a strong light, the sound is on the bottom and a record with shiny shoulders can have worn grooves. If you see gray or brown on the bottom of the grooves the material underneath the condensite is showing. Be careful not to play damaged records and make sure your stylus is good.

The etched labels made during the war have a lot of surface noise, the white paper labels are much better.

Steve

[Deleted]

Thanks so Much for the information. At least now, I know which discs to be on the look out for. Instead of just buying discs randomly, as I find them.

[Deleted]

I happen to have a Vaudeville Specialty Disc by Steve Porter in my collection. Called "Flanagan's Troubles in A Restaurant." The other side is Called "The Arkansas Traveler by Steve Porter and Ernest Hare." Did Edsion record other Vaudeville Discs. I had "Flannagn's Real Estate Deal" , but the disc was badly damaged. I'd like to replace that one.