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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 28, 2012 22:25:58 GMT -5
Seems to be missing the original grille....
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 27, 2012 2:17:44 GMT -5
Even if the machine 'works', it's a good idea to thoroughly clean and re-lubricate the motor - especially the mainsprings.
Bear in mind that your phonograph is probably over 90 years old, and may not have been serviced since it was bought originally. You should also check the reproducer, to see whether there is any wear on the stylus, and to make sure that all the components are moving freely. (Stiffness in the pivot for the weight can cause repeating). Check the gaskets, to make sure they're good and airtight.
When it comes to the cabinet, a good treatment with GoJo (the non-pumice kind) will remove the old dirt from the finish; then you can evaluate the condition of the finish. If there's any veneer missing, you can trim off the ragged ends to prepare it for patching (there are suppliers for many sorts of veneers online); and you can glue down areas where it is intact, but loose.
If the veneer is intact, but the finish is rough, you can re-amalgamate it with alcohol (if it has a shellac finish - a lacquer finish would require lacquer thinner), and build up any thin areas with the appropriate finish. Complete stripping and refinishing is rather drastic, and should be resorted to only in extreme cases (my humble opinion). There are also some good products, such as 'Howard's Restor-a-Finish' and 'Feed-n-Wax', to bring back old finishes...
Generally, you should try to preserve the original finish as much as you can, and use materials and techniques that are compatible with the originals....
I hope this information is helpful to you.
-Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 24, 2012 2:23:08 GMT -5
There's only one Columbia machine I can find on ebay at the moment. Is this what I'm looking for? Does this come with the 'floating reproducer' or is that something I need to buy separately? www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-COLUMBIA-BF-PEERLESS-GRAPHOPHONE-CYLINDER-PHONOGRAPH-ORIGINAL-AND-WORKS-/140738163954?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c4a5f4f2 Actually, the BF used the 'Lyric' spring tension reproducer, not a 'floating' reproducer. You'd be better off looking at one of the 'A' series Columbias. (The nomenclature is a little confusing; but most models with the 'A' prefix - except for the AZ - used floating reproducers. The 'B' prefix usually designates later 'Lyric' models- except for the variants of the Type B 'Eagle' open works Graphophone. Then there's the 'Q': also a floating reproducer model - but not really suitable for serious playing.) As for the Edison 'Automatic': those are easily recognizable by their recessed front plate; though they were built to fit the early 'clamp' type carriage, rather than the later set-screw type... -Bill (Yes, another one.....)
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 21, 2012 2:51:57 GMT -5
One disc I've recently acquired had presented me with a bit of a puzzle.
It's catalogue #80050, "Coppelia - Entr'acte Waltz", by Armand Vecsey and his Hungarian Orchestra (matrix #950-H); and "Spanish Fandango", by the New York Military Band (1042-F).
Now, these selections were both originally recorded in 1912; but the takes cited are, according to the information I've consulted, from 1917. (The pressing of this particular example, by the way, is from about 1922).
Is it plausible that the Edison company would have summoned the same artists to record the same selections five years later, and use the same matrix number for the remakes; or could they simply have dubbed masters from the original session, and logged them as new 'takes'?
I have read mention of experiments with disc-to-disc dubbing; but there is no definite evidence of such discs being issued in the regular catalogue (that is, of standard Diamond Discs). If anyone has a good copy of the original issue of this disc, perhaps they might compare the two......... unless an unissued take might have been used for the dub, which complicates things...
Anyway, here's my copy:
Any opinions?
-Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 15, 2012 2:07:34 GMT -5
Hi! You might try the Talking Machine Forum, as they have an excellent list of suppliers (as well as discussion on the merits of the various brands of new steel needles).
As for your Sonora: does it have an attachment for vertical records? If so, you could possibly play Edison discs, provided you can get a properly sized diamond stylus for the machine. You can also get a sapphire stylus for vertical Pathés and a few other labels; although some verticals (like the early OKehs) used a steel needle.
You can generally recognize 78s from the width of the grooves, which are coarser than LPs or 45s. Edison Diamond Discs (not to be confused with the VERY rare Edison Lateral 78s) are easily recognizable, being extremely thick (about 1/4 inch). These have a much finer groove than 78s. Then there are, of course, the (also VERY rare) Edison LP Diamond Discs, which have grooves even finer than vinyl LPs.
One type of record you should definitely NOT play on an acoustic machine is the vinyl 78 of the 1950s: these were meant for lightweight electric pickups, and are far too soft for a steel needle.
I hope this is of some help to you.
-Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 15, 2012 1:43:47 GMT -5
Did H-19s ever have gold plated hardware? From what I've read, the factory finish was nickel.......
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Post by lucius1958 on Dec 3, 2012 1:34:18 GMT -5
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 29, 2012 2:22:26 GMT -5
'Gojo' hand cleaner (the non-pumice kind) is considered very good for cleaning old dirt off casework; and 'Howard's Feed -N -Wax' is great for bringing up a shine to old finishes...
Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 29, 2012 2:03:44 GMT -5
As for black performers, I know that George W. Johnson (the first black recording artist) reprised some of his popular hits for Edison on 2 minute wax cylinders; and Polk Miller's Old South Quartette recorded both on 2 and 4 minute formats. I also have a Blue Amberol of Edward Sterling Wright reciting a couple of Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poems.
I am not sure, however, of any black performers on Diamond Discs; perhaps someone with better information could enlighten us.....
Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 29, 2012 1:52:12 GMT -5
Are you referring to the horn lift lever at the front right corner? Those had wooden handles....
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 21, 2012 1:43:06 GMT -5
Home No.120840 left the factory in December 1904. That may explain the improperly stamped "8" - - the factory was running 3 shifts to fill Christmas orders! George P. Thanks! I'd had a provisional date of 1905 on it, due to the spring suspension on the motor; but perhaps that was a later upgrade - since it also has a 2/4 minute conversion... Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 20, 2012 2:18:57 GMT -5
Might as well put my oar in: a late Model A Home, #H-120(8?)40.
(I'm uncertain about the "8" - it looks more like an upside-down and reversed "&" - was that how they usually stamped it?)
Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 15, 2012 2:27:18 GMT -5
Hello Everyone, I recently received an edison standard with an aluminum horn. I know nothing about this type of horn or if it is original or later. It seems to be in pretty good shape considering how soft the metal is. Also it seem older because of all the oxidation and small dings. Would love any info on this unique horn. measures 14L x 7.5 Dia. Thanks What you have there is a Columbia horn. Edison used either japanned tin, all brass or black and brass horns on their earlier machines (depending on the model and period). While this horn is pretty much contemporary with your Standard, it would be more appropriate on a Graphophone than a Phonograph. You could always trade with someone who has an Edison horn. Bill
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 14, 2012 0:27:05 GMT -5
We're being spammed again.... >:-(
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Post by lucius1958 on Nov 11, 2012 1:12:26 GMT -5
As you know, the 'transfer' discs, especially the late ones, are hideously susceptible to moisture. Even if they escape being ruined by splits, they may still curl up at the edges, making playback difficult.
My question: could the technique commonly used for flattening warped shellac discs (placing them under plate glass in direct sunlight) work in this case? I have experimented briefly with a hot knife (on an unplayable disc, of course), and have had slightly encouraging results.
Is the temperature required to soften celluloid and Condensite varnish much higher than that of shellac?
Bill
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