hmv 32 horn gramophone ... ever heard one? (long)

[gramophone-georg]

I may actually have a chance to get back on my 32 project soon. I have a very heavy duty cardboard shipping tube that's about the same diameter as the horn elbow outlet. My "in my head" plan for this is to graduate this down along the tube to the same diameter as the tonearm connector on about a 4' length. For going around corners inside the cabinet, I am considering pie cutting the tube, and using Columbia's "Plano Flex" design on the outsides of the corners.

Thoughts?

[kirtley2012]

I may actually have a chance to get back on my 32 project soon. I have a very heavy duty cardboard shipping tube that's about the same diameter as the horn elbow outlet. My "in my head" plan for this is to graduate this down along the tube to the same diameter as the tonearm connector on about a 4' length. For going around corners inside the cabinet, I am considering pie cutting the tube, and using Columbia's "Plano Flex" design on the outsides of the corners.

Thoughts?

I'd have thought carboard would be too sound absorbing to be a very efficient conduit, however, I believe it is possible to use incomplete/damaged tonearms to create a suitable conduit, a narrow bore HMV/victor would get the initial bend, joined to a section of a tonarm with a large base, like a Gilbert should get the other section

[Curt A]

Instead of cardboard to replace the tin tube, why not try schedule 40 plastic plumbing pipe?

[gramophone-georg]

Instead of cardboard to replace the tin tube, why not try schedule 40 plastic plumbing pipe?

Too difficult to slice and reglue for the correct taper. The cardboard tube I have in mind is super hard but Alex could be right. Maybe I will spray the insides with shellac.

[Steve]

Instead of cardboard to replace the tin tube, why not try schedule 40 plastic plumbing pipe?

Too difficult to slice and reglue for the correct taper. The cardboard tube I have in mind is super hard but Alex could be right. Maybe I will spray the insides with shellac.

Just don't use carpet like someone did with that poor 157!

[gramophone-georg]

Instead of cardboard to replace the tin tube, why not try schedule 40 plastic plumbing pipe?

Too difficult to slice and reglue for the correct taper. The cardboard tube I have in mind is super hard but Alex could be right. Maybe I will spray the insides with shellac.

Just don't use carpet like someone did with that poor 157!

[chunnybh]

I've just started another thread on an E.M.G Mk VIII with a Frank Darrieulat case.
But here is a picture of the cladding on the cast iron conduit. I understand the idea is to reduce any resonance at this vital part of the acoustic system.

[Ahmed]

I have an HMV 31 which I've dampened the conduit on similar to earlier comments by wrapping it tightly with latex tubing, then a thick layer of fleece wrapped tightly over that. All static joints had a good helping of glue, and moving joints had a generous serving of grease to make everything as airtight as possible.

This made the sound fairly less tinny, but there's still the thin metal horn to account for. On my long term to do list is fashioning a jacket to fit over the horn to dampen it... one of those days

It sounds good with both the Meltrope II & III, certainly much better than a 102. Nothing earth shattering however. I use it mostly to play Pathé records with an adaptor

[kirtley2012]

I have an HMV 31 which I've dampened the conduit on similar to earlier comments by wrapping it tightly with latex tubing, then a thick layer of fleece wrapped tightly over that. All static joints had a good helping of glue, and moving joints had a generous serving of grease to make everything as airtight as possible.

This made the sound fairly less tinny, but there's still the thin metal horn to account for. On my long term to do list is fashioning a jacket to fit over the horn to dampen it... one of those days

It sounds good with both the Meltrope II & III, certainly much better than a 102. Nothing earth shattering however. I use it mostly to play Pathé records with an adaptor

Have you tried putting your EMG horn on it yet?, the Wilson horns, and subsequently all EMG horns were made to fit to HMV outlets, mine lives permanently with a Mk IX horn on it and it's a great sounding machine.

[Ahmed]

Have you tried putting your EMG horn on it yet?, the Wilson horns, and subsequently all EMG horns were made to fit to HMV outlets, mine lives permanently with a Mk IX horn on it and it's a great sounding machine.

I've not tried that, it'd look hilarious on the 31 I think Toying around with the idea of building a horn for it over spring, using carved styrofoam for the mold. Nothing massive, more of a glorified Edison Cygnet horn sort of size & shape