EMG, Found in wild.

[USlakeside]

Well from what I am reading it sounds like I should just leave it on the curb. Just kidding I have to say, its not go the allure of early machines for me. An Opera still seems more "phonographically romantic" The machine does have an EMG soundbox, but it's not marked EMG. It has very similar features to many googled "emg soundboxes". It does play great even without the horn, and sounds wildly clear. I know this sounds cheesy, but it seems eager, even enthusiastic, to play the record. I am wondering what to do about this horn. It does sag forward a huge amount. However, its solid in this position. It came from New Mexico, where it is dry so I imagine the sag was very gradual. Also there are no major distress cracks to suggest a violent bend. It is not any machine bought at auction in the UK anytime recently. Its just by chance the original photo looked similar. The nice old woman who sold it to me got it someplace, a long time ago, in the midwest. You can tell, just from the hardware and the case and so on, that the quality is very high. Its strangely anachronistic and at the same time (for the 1930's) somewhat futuristic, AND Futurist.

Here are a few pictures, just with my cameraphone, so not great.

The black and white photo: Photo of Russolo, Ugo Piatti and their “noise intoners” (intonarumori), Milan circa 1920. These were invented in 1914 to correspond with the theories outlined in this essay. There were ultimately 27 different types of intoners, each producing a unique sound in one of the six “families” listed, including “howlers”, “exploders”, “crumplers”, “hissers”, “scrapers”, etc. Russolo performed several concerts with these in the 1920’s. Unfortunately, only one very brief recording is known to exist of these (the intoners have apparently been destroyed).

[syncopeter]

The EMG has a very well designed and scientifically calculated exponential horn. Papier maché was used because it is completely acoustically inert. Its looks may be less than Marilyn Monroe in her heydays, be assured that its sound, when well set-up is about the best you can get with acoustical reproduction. Every component was carefully thought out and specially designed for maximum fidelity. Bceause these machines were handmade constant improvement was possible.

[USlakeside]

This is all very interesting. I really would like to get the horn restored. I contacted a specialist who works on restoring art objects etc for museums. Any help in this regard, especially local to NYC, would be greatly appreciated.

[Phototone]

This is all very interesting. I really would like to get the horn restored. I contacted a specialist who works on restoring art objects etc for museums. Any help in this regard, especially local to NYC, would be greatly appreciated.

Our member from England will probably chime in, but I believe there is someone in England that is replicating the horns.

[GMEMG]

The soundbox is a perfectly correct 2 spring Mk 9 soundbox as supplied new with the machine - the best advice with the horn is "Leave well alone" it will sound fine - oddly they can be distorted to much stranger shapes than that without affecting the sound

there is someone here who steams the horn back to the right shape BUT it's very difficult and he is the most experienced - you don't want to turn it to mush by doing it incorrectly so leave it alone!

There is someone in the UK making NEW EMG horns BUT only EMG Mk Xb Oversize ones - see my U - Tube video's to hear how good they are

- having seen better pictures it certainly isn't the one from the Roger Thorne sale which was almost bent flat

I'm interested in that B/W picture - what are those machines for - just for producing noise or are they for playing records ?

[chunnybh]

Firstly, I love the picture of the intoners.
The EMG Mk9 was always notorious for that sag. The later models had either longer metal supports or as in the Experts a metal support under the horn.
I have a MK9 horn that has totally folded over and I keep meaning to "steam" it back into shape. I have had several suggestions from people who have successfully done this before. Here are a few methods and advice I have heard of.
1. Steam slowly or the outer layers of paper will fall off.
2. Use a jig to hold the mouth of the horn in a perfect circle or it will dry warped.
3. Once damp, fill it with sand to dry.
4. Hang it upside down when storing and only turn it when playing. Eventually it will sort itself out.
5. Attach a rope to the bell and the other end to the ceiling and over months slowly tighten the rope to pull it back into shape .

Sounds scary to me but I will have to do one of these one day, so keep us updated on your progress. The last suggestion probably sounds like the best solution for your horn, at least it will proven it getting worse.

In my opinion you will not find a better gramophone than an EMG.
Here is a youtube of my strange somewhere between a MK9 and a MK10.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpX8jP5QjPc[/youtube]

[USlakeside]

The horn will not clear the case when you try to screw it on. The owners must have forced it over when removing it. Out of the repair suggestions, hanging upside-down sounds the least invasive?

[GMEMG]

Ah, You have a problem - EMG horns slot in - because the fitting is on the horn not the base - what's happened is that the fitting has jammed in the lower part - you will have to remove that and screw it back on the horn and then put it into the base

I suggest that you unscrew the lid and then screw the horn back on - lubricate with fine oil and pull it out holding the metal part of the horn NOT the front !

then put it all back together again !

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Here's the EMG bible. It gives equal time to Ginn's Expert line as well. I found it fascinating.
GMEMG: I think it's extraordinary that you had C S Lewis' gramophone,,," The Lion the Witch and the Gramophone"
The EMG soundbox is based on the Exhibition. I'm a fan of the Exhibition soundbox, so this has always pleased me.
Jim

[USlakeside]

The book sounds great, but so expensive on Amazon!