EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new member

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soundgen
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by soundgen »

Hello Jim , thanks for your email , yes your soundbox could be fitted with an aluminium diaphragm but why would you want to ? I have been following the threads on TMF and the soundbox is odd anyway , circular hole not for use with bamboo needles ! are you going to change the needle bar to a triangular hole ? if not why not ? so why change the diaphragm does it sound really bad ? if it was my machine all I would do is replace the back rubber Chunney has these and the gaskets if needed , I'd keep the Mica till I knew it wasn't an original item , as it stands you probably have the only ? mica EMG soundbox with a round hole . you've had it for 45 years it's history keep it that way Regards Mike

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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by soundgen »

Hello Jim you say that "Actually the soundbox in its current state works quite impressively," so forget the aluminium diaphragm ! It will sound better with new gaskets !

Jozwolf
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Jozwolf »

Thanks Mike - I am sure you are right!. So what I now hope to do is test the difference between the mica and aluminium diaphragm on the Xa on the one hand by retaining the mica and 4 spring but reconditioning it with new rubber, and on the other comparing its sound with that produced using a Meltrope with an aluminium diaphragm. Chunny has very generously offered to help me with this so I think I am in good hands!

I really like the way this community of EMG experts work together through this forum. It seems to be one of the nicest and most helpful groups of people!

All the best,

Jim

Emgian
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Emgian »

EMG XA OVERSIZE.JPG
Hello Jim,
I have just caught up with your post and pictures of your handsome XA, also your queries, and congratulate you for retaining this splendid machine for so long! I have an EMG Mark XA with the transportable Oversize horn which I acquired in the late 1980s, it replaced a Mark XB Oversize originally fitted in an HMV model 510 Lumiere cabinet I had purchased around 1980

Regarding the soundbox, my inclination would be to clean it and re-rubber the gaskets and replace the gland rubber. If you are new to tuning the soundbox, I offer a basic guide here: First cut the rubbers (I use soft tubular rubber as found in Bicycle shops in use for old style inner tubes valves) slightly longer than the diameter of the rebate so that they seal end to end when later inserted, then, with subtle setting in the sense of ensuring the longitudinal springs are just tight enough to stop the stylus bar from slipping in the knife edges and set so that the diaphragm is in a central position of rest, you then insert the rubber seals and assemble the housing, then apply light pressure to the cross biasing springs. You can then tune these biasing springs afterwards with subtle adjustments of 1/10th of a turn, either way, until you achieve the quality of reproduction for the type of record you wish to tune for as a default setting...

Some soundboxes allow you to pack a gap between the mating surfaces of the housing, allowing the soundbox to become even more sensitive, with more of the diaphragm being free to move. You can try this by undoing each screw securing the two parts an equal number of turns until the seals leak (when blowing gently into the gland - you could try using Cuban cigar smoke in a mirror, can be quite enjoyable for some!). Take each screw out and insert an appropriately slim rubber washer and tighten up to a turn tighter than the number of turns at which it started to leak. I make my own washers using the small and large punches on a rotary head hole punch, with a bicycle inner tube...

I would then keep this soundbox with its existing mica diaphragm as it came with your EMG, but I suggest you look for a nice nickel plated 2 spring soundbox with original aluminium diaphragm, you may well be surprised at the quality of sound they produce! The aluminium diaphragm will allow you more flexibility for tuning as well.
Best... Ian
Attachments
Missing photo of EMG XB in Christies Sale July 1996
Missing photo of EMG XB in Christies Sale July 1996

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Lucius1958
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Lucius1958 »

Emgian wrote: you could try using Cuban cigar smoke in a mirror, can be quite enjoyable for some!
Of course: you wouldn't want to contaminate an EMG soundbox with inferior cigar smoke - only the best will do!

Bill ;)

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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Jozwolf »

Thanks so much Ian,

This is really wonderful advice as well as the interesting information about your Xa Export. I will put that into my listing (now tarted up with Graham's approval and feedback) at http://metastudies.net/Gramophones. As I am reporting serial numbers do you have a serial number for your machine? I would like to add it in if it exists. On mine you had to remove the record platen to see it.

Also, would it might be good to create some "How to maintain your EMG" by part - motor, horn, soundbox, needles, etc on the website. There is so much good information we could collectively create a reference 'manual', given the ease of doing that in a Wiki, which is what the website now is in. Do you think that could be useful, and if so, might I add your advice on how to service a 4 spring soundbox as an early entry?

Also - I would be grateful if you might cast your eye over the website and let me know any corrections, additions, or deletions (!) you think would improve it. The ruddy thing is typical of the way I work, as when I get into a new area I try to organise it for myself, and having done that think - well someone else might find it useful so I should whack it up on the web. Sometimes people do find it useful.... over time!

All the best,

Jim



Emgian wrote:
EMG XA OVERSIZE.JPG
Hello Jim,
I have just caught up with your post and pictures of your handsome XA, also your queries, and congratulate you for retaining this splendid machine for so long! I have an EMG Mark XA with the transportable Oversize horn which I acquired in the late 1980s, it replaced a Mark XB Oversize originally fitted in an HMV model 510 Lumiere cabinet I had purchased around 1980...
Best... Ian

Emgian
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Emgian »

Of course: you wouldn't want to contaminate an EMG soundbox with inferior cigar smoke - only the best will do!
Thanks Bill, it must be the way they roll 'em!
Best... Ian
Last edited by Emgian on Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Emgian
Victor Jr
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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Emgian »

we could collectively create a reference 'manual', given the ease of doing that in a Wiki, which is what the website now is in. Do you think that could be useful, and if so, might I add your advice on how to service a 4 spring soundbox as an early entry?
Hello Jim,
Of course you may, I originally meant to publish a booklet along the same lines revealing tricks and tips gained from servicing EMG and HMV soundboxes, Garrard, Collaro and HMV 4 spring and 2 spring, oilbath and openworks motors, and the like, since I opened a business in 1980 specialising in this area of interest, but now realise that I will never find time to do it. However a project like yours, incorporating Graham's and other interested enthusiasts'contributions, would be an excellent depository for all my relevant notes, open to revision, for the perusal of all enthusiasts intimidated by bewildering technology when attempting repairs and overhauls!

The soundbox notes are the short version, which I can expand to include 2 spring soundboxes and more detail in setting up the diaphragm, where to use rubber washers etc etc.

By the way, I never found numbers on any of my machines, The Mark XA Oversize case came separately from someone who had purchased it from Edward Sackville-West after, in 1948, it had been fitted with a single end EMG amplifier obLiterating that part of the motor board where the numbers were usually stamped. Luckily the tone arm and duct were retained, so it was relatively easy to restore. There is another Mark X formerly owned by E. S-W under restoration at Knole, his Stately Home in Kent UK.
I also have an EMG Mark XA with XA horn, and and an E.M. Ginn Expert "All Range" with 36" diameter horn. None have any visible numbers, The latter two also had enlarged holes made in the motor board when they both were converted to electric motors in the past, now returned to clockwork motors matching the original winding escutcheons! My first EMG Oversize now resides in Germany, I will ask the owner if he minds having his details made public.

I will check out the link you posted and we'll discuss more then...

Best...

Ian

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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Jozwolf »

Thanks Ian,

You will find your comment on how to re-rubber a soundbox now incorporated into the website and your Export Oversize on Xa base listed at {XbE-25}.

If you could provide photos of the gramophones you mention I would very much like to incorporate them into the listing.

Warm good wishes,

Jim

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Re: EMG Mark Xb ('Export') serial 657 in Australia - new mem

Post by Jozwolf »

Hi Ian,

You will see that I have started the Maintenance and Technical section of the website and I would certainly be very happy to put up on the site the text that you mention giving your expert tricks, hints and suggestions on how to care for a loved gramophone antique.

I do not have time on my own to extend my listing to other brands (even Expert gramophones) but if someone else wants to put it together I will put it up as an extension of the site. (That is, if they want to create a list, and accompany that with folders of photos and text for each item, I will add them.)

Alternatively I could move this to a free-standing Wiki and give some of the active members editing and uploading rights. I would need to be very selective though as I pay for the server space and I have quite a lot of stuff on it. The main concern is that photos are in an appropriate resolution and size so not to waste space.

Whichever way we go text is no problem at all, and if I am putting the material up it is a trivial matter to bring photos to the correct resolution and size. I have a program that will do that pretty much automatically.

You will see from my privacy statement that I am using TMF pseudonyms unless given permission to use actual names. Graham's name I have had to use with his reluctant permission. Would you prefer I use your pseudonym or your name? Given your business you are hardly unknown!

All the best,

Jim


EMGIAN wrote:Of course you may, I originally meant to publish a booklet along the same lines revealing tricks and tips gained from servicing EMG and HMV soundboxes, Garrard, Collaro and HMV 4 spring and 2 spring, oilbath and openworks motors, and the like, since I opened a business in 1980 specialising in this area of interest, but now realise that I will never find time to do it. However a project like yours, incorporating Graham's and other interested enthusiasts'contributions, would be an excellent depository for all my relevant notes, open to revision, for the perusal of all enthusiasts intimidated by bewildering technology when attempting repairs and overhauls!

The soundbox notes are the short version, which I can expand to include 2 spring soundboxes and more detail in setting up the diaphragm, where to use rubber washers etc etc.

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