iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 15, 2012 13:15:14 GMT -5
Thanks Bill, I'll look into that. I see what you mean about "crazy expensive" though....
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 15, 2012 10:24:54 GMT -5
Thanks Tim,
I can see there's much more to cylinder ID and dating than I first thought,
Regards,
Iain
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 15, 2012 8:21:02 GMT -5
I recently bought this cylinder: Edward German's Shepherds Dance, violin solo by Charles D' Almaine, number 8070 (see photo) According to the Cylinder preservation and digitization project, it was recorded in 1902: Title: Shepherds' dance Performer(s): Charles D'Almaine. Issue Number/Label: 8070: Edison Gold Moulded Record Year of Release: [1902] This would make it one of the earliest 'black wax' cylinders wouldn't it? However, I was surprised to see the information printed at the end of the cylinder because I thought the early ones were blank on both ends. Can anyone enlighten me please? I've posted a recording of it on my blog here: www.fouragesofsand.com/2012/12/edward-germans-shepherds-dance-violin-solo-by-charles-d-almaine.htmlAttachments:
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 13, 2012 15:27:17 GMT -5
I'm discovering there's fun to be had from extracting a recording from even very poor quality cylinders. I bought around 20 at an auction house recently and most turned out to be unplayable. This was one of the worst: "Birds at the Brook" number 606 by the London Concert Orchestra, but with some playing around with the recording in PowerDirector 10, it was possible to get some music out of it. Here's the mpg3: iainpetrie.typepad.com/4aos_backstage/2012/12/birds-a.html Attachments:
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 7, 2012 1:57:25 GMT -5
As a newbie, I'm learning something every day. What I learned yesterday is that cylinders will not survive even the smallest of falls (see photo) I have 17 cylinders of acceptable quality, and my favourite is Kiss Kiss Kiss, by Ada Jones and Billy Murray, recorded in 1907. Which one did I drop? You guessed it... Actually, it wasn't so much of a drop as a gentle slide out of its case, and from a very low height above the floor. Terrible to think it survived for 105 years until I got hold of it! I'll be a lot more careful in future. Luckily I recorded it a few days ago: www.fouragesofsand.com/2012/11/kiss-kiss-kiss-duet-sung-by-ada-jones-and-bill-murray.htmlAttachments:
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Dec 7, 2012 1:04:45 GMT -5
HiTim,
that's great, as it confirms the suggested date from someone on youtube. And thanks for the welcome. It certainly is a fascinating hobby. Though what I'm also finding is that it can quite an expensive hobby; I want every cylinder I see!
The book looks like exactly what I need. I'll be ordering a copy of the book for myself for Christmas.
Best wishes,
Iain
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Nov 28, 2012 1:40:33 GMT -5
As a newbie, I'm still at the early stages of finding out about the artists and the music on my cylinders and I'm discovering that doing the research is a fascinating but sometimes frustrating experience. For example I've not been able to track this one down (see photo) despite all my efforts. Can anyone shed some light on it, and in particular, when it was recorded? I've found out that the song was written in 1905 and that it was performed by several singers, including Florrie Forde (http://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-H/Howd-You-Like-To-Spoon-With-Me.htm) and I've found out lots about Winifred Hare, but I can't find any reference to her recording the song, nor to cylinder number 6880. By the way, I've posted it playing on youtube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EAJ2_kOZ6QThe quality is quite poor unfortunately. And here are the lyrics. I always thought spooning meant 'to cuddle from behind' but a quick internet search reveals that a century ago, spooning" was a euphemism for kissing. The Lady:'I don't know why I am so very very shy I always was demure I never knew what silly lovers do No flirting I'd endure In all my life I've never kissed a man I've never winked my eye But now at last I'm going to break the ice So how'd you like to try?' Refrain: 'How'd you like to spoon with me? How'd you like to spoon with me? Sit beneath an oak tree large and shady Calling me your tootsy wootsy baby How'd you like to hug and squeeze? Dangle me upon your knees How'd you like to be my lovey-dovey? How'd you like to spoon with me?' The man:'Well, I should say I'd spoon with you all day You fascinate me so You are so cute, you really are a beaut. Through life with you I'd go If we were wed our married life would be One steady honey-moon From six A.M. till twelve 'o clock at night Why all we'd do is spoon' Source: monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-H/Howd-You-Like-To-Spoon-With-Me.htm Attachments:
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Nov 28, 2012 1:18:03 GMT -5
Ah, I thought they were all 2M cylinders... that explains why half of them won't play. Now I look, I see the 4M clearly on the edge. Thanks, I was about to throw those away!
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Nov 26, 2012 2:15:23 GMT -5
I'm just started out but already discovering how difficult it is to find decent 2 minute cylinders. I bought 20 at an auction and half are unplayable, the other half are very low quality, and now I've just done it again! I bought these off ebay and as you can see they are in a fairly sorry state. To be fair, the buyer described them as such, but they are worse than I was expecting. Again, half are unplayable, and as for the remainder, I'd say only about 5 give anything like a decent sound. Some have deep grooves in them and one was broken but had been (very badly) glued together (see photo). I played it for several revolutions without realising and the stylus head was bouncing around terribly. Am I likely to have damaged the stylus, and if so should I replace it before playing other cylinders? Does playing generally low-quality/damaged cylinders affect the stylus? A related question: one of the cylinders broke completely when I tried to put it on to play. is it worth trying to glue it together to play or is that asking for trouble too? Thanks. I've attempted to attach a photo but for some reason can't do so. Photo posted here: iainpetrie.typepad.com/.a/6a00e3933950378834017ee59f93aa970d-piAnd here: iainpetrie.typepad.com/.a/6a00e3933950378834017d3e2ad31c970c-pi
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Nov 25, 2012 3:36:24 GMT -5
Thanks, I've managed (actually, my brother managed) to sort the problem with your help. It did indeed turn out to be too much tension in the feed screw nut bar. Basically, the mechanism was engaging too early when the 'arm' was lowered towards the cylinder. We've also cleaned the various running surfaces too and it seems to be fine at the moment. I'm very grateful for all the support, and looking forward to playing some cylinders! I'm off to Portsmouth this morning, a 100 miles drive from Hatfield (UK), to collect 30 cylinders I won on ebay last night. A bargain at £30 I think, though I believe they are not in the best of condition. I'll let you know how I get on.
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iainp
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Post by iainp on Nov 23, 2012 18:08:45 GMT -5
Thanks, this is so useful. I'll let you know how I get on, hopefully tomorrow.
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iainp
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Posts: 37
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Post by iainp on Nov 23, 2012 3:33:23 GMT -5
Thanks very much for the advice. I'll try what you suggest though, I'm not sure what the feedscrew and feednut are...! The belt seems fine and the carriage seems really smooth too. I've posted a very short video here of the problem. I'd really appreciate it if you could take a look. youtu.be/zqQxFrF-cSQThe really weird thing is that mechanism seems so strong and it runs for ages and you can even press on it as it rotates and it carries on turning, yet the weight of the stylus makes it grind to a halt. I can't understand it.
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iainp
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Posts: 37
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Post by iainp on Nov 21, 2012 17:51:46 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm so pleased to have stumbled across this forum!
I bought 20 Gold Moulded cylinders at the weekend and bought an Edison Standard today to play them. The guy who sold it to me showed me how to set it up and everything seemed to work but now I have it home there a problem: when I play a cylinder it slows right down after just half a minute, even when the machine is fully wound. When I lift the stylus/reproducer it speeds up again but when I place it back on the cylinder the same thing happens. I've checked that the stylus is the only part touching the groove in case it was part of the reproducer touching the surface of the cylinder but everything looks fine. Any idea what's gone wrong? Many thanks, Iain
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