Reproducer help for unique project.

[Jasper]

I've been experimenting with making some phono-fiddles based on a Romanian design.
I'm looking for some help with the mechanics and volume.
The first two i've made, one mica and one aluminum have not turned out nearly as loud as the original Romanian model I own.
The maker looks to have had his own die for stamping the diaphragms in what seems a thicker aluminum than is common.
I'm not sure if this accounts for the significant increase in volume compared to mine or if it is just the particular reproducer which doesn't look like any reproducer i've seen. does anyone recognize it?
I suppose it's possible that the extra thickness of aluminum helps to better support the string tension which is a bit more than the weight of the reproducer arm...but i'm not sure if this would effect volume.
does anyone have any ideas for creating the loudest possible reproducer for this purpose? also are there die sets available anywhere for stamping your own diaphragms or possibly cad files or sketches for having them machined?
thanks for any help on this odd project,
Jasper

[Curt A]

I would be interested in making a phono fiddle like a Stroh Violin, also. If anyone has plans, ideas, pics of various types that would be helpful. The ones I have seen seem to use a standard generic reproducer for the sound.

[Curt A]

Jasper,
Are the pics of your original Romanian fiddle and the reproducer or from one that you made? I think that maybe a Columbia Viva-Tonal or Victor Orthophonic reproducer would possibly give the best volume.

[Jasper]

this is the romanian fiddle...i'm trying to figure out where this reproducer came from.
i have an unrestored Victor Orthophonic and this one is quite a bit louder.
thanks for the recommendations.

[Curt A]

Strangely enough, I was in an antique shop today and ran across a strange reproducer that reminded me of the one on your phono fiddle. I have never seen one like this before and can't imagine what type of machine that it would go to. It is approx. 2 ¾" diameter and is quite heavy, it also has a screen in the opening that would attach to a tonearm...???

Would it be possible for you to give the approx. dimensions of your original fiddle? Also, pics of the one you made. Thanks...

[Curt A]

I'm posting some reproducer pics that look similar to Orthophonic reproducers or their look-alikes.

Here is a link to high quality replicas... http://strohviolin.com/index.php?act=vi ... roductId=8

[tinovanderzwan]

in the musical world these are not known as reproducers but as resonators
they are based on the disc phonograph reproducer dough the biggest ones you'll find in dobro guitars

[penman]

I've bumped a previous post on the workings of the Stroh. Volume will be very dependent on the ability of the bridge to transmit sufficient movement to the diaphragm. Similar to a soundbox when the needle arm is too stiff and inflexible and cannot pivot. The bridge on a real Stroh is attached via rocker pivot arm so it can move freely and is not just pressed against the diaphragm.

[penman]

From your pictures it does not appear that the bridge foot has a good connection to the reproducer. Additionally the other foot of the bridge seems to be fixed in place. This will have a negative impact on the ability to get good sound. The bridge needs to be able to rock around a pivot and is only attached at one foot to the reproducer needle arm, the other foot of the bridge should not be fixed and unable to move.

It's also important to remember you are trying to transmit vertical movement of the bridge to a reproducer designed to work with lateral movement of the needle arm. The Stroh resonator is much more like an Edison reproducer, than a lateral record soundbox. The key is getting the maximum movement of the bridge to maximize movement of the diaphragm. The particular soundbox is really not that important, as long as it works.