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Post by billcahill on Apr 28, 2010 21:59:14 GMT -5
The better quality tone more had to do with the horns, and, reproducers Edison designed. There isn't alot published on the tone tests, but, I can tell you this. Crowds were used. They put aC-250 Chipendale against several disc machines to show the difference in sound quality. The thing that started to kill it for Edison was the development of the Victor Orthophonic. Edison Came out with the electrically recorded DD in 1926. That improved things somewhat, but, until the introduction of the Edisonic in 1928, they were still somewhat lacking. The dance reproducer in earlier years did help some. The company put alot of time, and, money into trying to improve the quality of the records. Bill Cahill
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Post by historychef on Jun 19, 2010 12:11:55 GMT -5
I'm a new member. Just wanted to stop and say greetings to all. I've had an interest in Edison cylinder & disc machines since I was a kid growing up in coastal Maine where we had many antique shops, and my brother and I combed them all. I understand that there are sites on the 'Net where one can actually listen to some audio of Edison recordings? I'd appreciate any links. thanks.
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Post by billcahill on Jun 19, 2010 22:45:54 GMT -5
I'm a new member. Just wanted to stop and say greetings to all. I've had an interest in Edison cylinder & disc machines since I was a kid growing up in coastal Maine where we had many antique shops, and my brother and I combed them all. I understand that there are sites on the 'Net where one can actually listen to some audio of Edison recordings? I'd appreciate any links. thanks. Enjoy..... www.tinfoil.com/earlywax.htmBill Cahill
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Post by matty on Jun 20, 2010 5:26:21 GMT -5
Probably the most comprehensive collection of Edison recordings is the U of C cylinder preservation & digitalization site. Again, these are cylinder transfers, but any Edison cylinder released after 1915 was dubbed from diamond disc anyway, (apart from a handful at the end of production) so the same title, artist and take can be found on dd. You can search their catalogue by title or the year released etc, and most of the blue amberol transfers sound better than DD, due to the lower surface noise of the celluloid cylinders. cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/You'll also find quite a few cylinder and diamond disc transfers on our own MicaMonsters site, in his *Vintage Audio Listening Lounge!* www.edisondiamonddisc.com/Enjoy ;D
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Post by huggybear on Jul 5, 2010 17:23:22 GMT -5
I have really gotten into "oldies" (don't say you play music of the 70's and 80's and say you play oldies. Throw some pre-1940 recordings in the mix...) I love showing off my Graphophone. ![](http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s187/old_radio_collector/S3500003-1.jpg) I still find it amazing how many people have never actually heard a cylinder record, even people who are old enough that they would have been around (albeit as children) when they were still being made. The sound is not great on the Graphophone, but there has been a lot of fascination from young kids who have maybe seen a record once or twice but are much more accustomed to the iPod and no moving parts, to see something where one song is a tangible item; playing music without electricity, an assortment of gears and belts - that is such a foreign concept. But I have been passing this music to others, and as was said in The Edison Phonograph Monthly in 1919, "The oldest song is new to the person who never heard it before." One of my co-workers in particular (she's a year older than I am)...this is a different concept, a different time. The music is so different from what we have today (although I like some of today's music too). Words and concepts that were casually tossed around (such as in records like Bake Dat Chicken Pie by Collins and Harlan)...no harm was meant of it, that was just the way they talked at the time. But even mold on wax records is unique, a patina, a sound I've come to appreciate. Such as on this UCSB copy of Cheer Up Mary by Byron G. Harlan cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/mp3s/3000/3135/cusb-cyl3135d.mp3
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Post by thalvaed on Aug 12, 2010 3:53:08 GMT -5
hi from downunder in new zealand we have a strong society here and i look forward to being part of the board
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Post by vintagemarc on Oct 4, 2010 1:50:07 GMT -5
I have a very large collection of Edison Diamond Discs,lateral 78s, Pathes: part of the ongoing transfer work and service I do is to transfer my own collection of vintage classical Edison Diamond Discs to CDs (blank PRO CDs) I also do a custom transfer service for collectors: member of ARSC,MAPS,Canadian Antique Phonograph Society,Berliner Museum of Montreal. I am an archivist,Edisonia historian,researcher,78 and Edison Diamond Disc collector,vintage audio buff, (I own and love to use a Fisher Tube Preamp) For 25 years,I have transferred Edison Diamond Discs in my collection and other collections to CDs. I charge a reasonable fee for this specialized service. I worked for Famous Players Theatres as a carbon arc projectionist for 30 years. I am an independent CD Reissue Producer and owner of a small Toronto CD Special Reissue company: Heritage Records. To contact me please send me an email to my email address: mbernstein165old@yahoo.com or phone me at 416-960-9595. Link to my website: www.vintagesoundof78s.comI am planning to reissue,sell,market and distribute on my CDs, selected Edison Diamond Discs from my collection. I have 45,000 78s,Edison Diamond Discs,Pathes,early Mono LPs,acetates,tapes,16 inch transcription discs in my collection. My address in Toronto: 21 Mayfair Avenue,Apt 301 Toronto Ontario Canada. M5N-2N5. I make custom-order CD transfers from 78s and Edison Diamond Discs for collectors wishing to have their Edison Discs on CDs. I have discovered and found a unique method in transfers of my Edison Diamond Discs to my CDs. I use Shure,Stanton Styli,cartridges,reverse wired, with Lenco variable speed turntables.
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Post by bamaman on Feb 15, 2011 22:00:11 GMT -5
Just found this board. I am executor of my wife's late uncle's estate. He had a Edison DD C250, Serial #SM35501, purchased by his parents, that is in almost mint condition. All parts appear original and it plays the many old Edison records found in the drawers. There was an original catalog found, entitled Music's Re-Creation, Edison's New Art, dated 1916, 20 pages. The C250 was priced $265. I look forward to learning more about this wonderful machine.
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shellophone
Junior Member
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Stand close enough and you can hear the ocean!
Posts: 69
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Post by shellophone on Feb 16, 2011 12:30:00 GMT -5
The C-250 was introduced in 1914 and produced until 1919. It was the top-of-the-standard-line Diamond Disc Phonograph during it's run, and was available in oak and mahogany. Edison did sell fancier and more expensive machines during that time, but those were special-order art-case models. The C-250 features gold-plated hardware, a two-spring motor, and the large No. 250-series horn. The case styling was described by Edison as being Chinese Chippendale, but is actually a mixture of styles with a pronounced Art Nouveau influence in the sloping, angled corner pillars. In 1919, all the Diamond Disc Phonographs were redesigned to make the cabinets less expensive to manufacture (Edison's profit margin was much slimmer than Victor's due to the complex engineering of the Diamond Disc Phonographs). In the case of the C-250, the drawers were eliminated and replaced with a less-costly system of vertical divider slats, and the C-250 appellation was dropped and the model renamed the C-19. The C-19 was produced until 1924 and remained in stock into 1926.
Both the C-250 and C-19 were produced over a relatively long time span, sold in great numbers, and are built like tanks -- consequently many survive today. Because collectors have so many to choose from, condition is very important. Pristine examples bring in approximately the $300-$500 range, but demand is tempered by the fact that the machine is quite commonly found. The soft economy may temper prices even further. Diamond Disc records were also produced in great quantities. Certain selections, of course, are worth more than others. Generally speaking, a Diamond Disc record in E/E+ condition is worth $3-$5, but again, demand is low for much of the material, in particular sentimental, sacred, and Hawaiian tunes. Hot dance band selections from the mid-late 1920's and early proto-country and 'hill-billy' string band material is most desirable, along with many classical and operatic selections, and vaudeville entertainers.
The technology behind the Diamond Disc is different from the technology of a conventional 78rpm record. On a conventional 78, the needle modulates side-to-side in the record groove, and the reproducer is moved across the surface of the record by the needle riding in the groove. The needles are also largely disposable or resharpenable. The Diamond Disc format is derived from cylinder record technology -- the groove of the record modulates up-and-down, the reproducer is driven across the record surface by a feedscrew, and the stylus is a permanent diamond point.
If you have any other questions, fire away.
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Post by bamaman on Feb 17, 2011 20:48:09 GMT -5
Thanks, Shellophone. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions.
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Post by Curley Temple on Feb 26, 2011 20:47:16 GMT -5
I've been a record collector for the past 40 years--sold records at auction for 20--and just now getting involved in cylinder recordings and Edison machines.
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Post by rbaird on Apr 19, 2011 18:48:28 GMT -5
Hello from north Texas, I have been here for about a week, so I thought I would say howdy. I have enjoyed my self every one that I have read seems to be very nice and informative. I hope to make good use of this forum, learn all I can about the Edison cylinder players, of the cylinder era. I own a Brunswick Crank Phonograph of 1913 vintage 2 door consul. This is not my machine but it looks just like it. Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/1206455/thumbnailer/ymsWoAPmTs8FWzN2JLla.jpg)
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Post by gwynnb on Jun 8, 2011 3:23:48 GMT -5
Hello, thanks for the welcome.
I've just found this site and I think it's wonderful that there is such a place for lovers of all things early-sound-recording to swap ideas and information.
I am part of the Vulcan Cylinder Record team and am constantly learning more about cylinders in particular and I'm absolutely fascinated.
Thanks
Gwynn
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Post by airworks on Jun 26, 2011 15:21:59 GMT -5
Hello everyone. Just found myself a Edison Diamond Disc phonograph. I have been researching on the internet for a while and I have learned a lot. I have also found a lot of great links and info from this message board. I look forward to learning more!
Matt
(Ill post some pictures and questions in the appropriate threads)
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Post by lesterlepley on Aug 7, 2011 20:00:16 GMT -5
Any idea when a Amberola 30 serial # 28887 was made?
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