New Glass Recording Diaphragms

[winsleydale]

I just sent for a glass diaphragm from http://www.cylinder.de/glass-diaphragms.html to use on my recorder. Has anybody got experience with these?

[MicaMonster]

In my experience the recorders had thinner glass. Try it and tell us how you like them. I have plenty of glass diaphragms available, but only for Automatic, Standard Speaker, and Graphophones. I tried recording with them,,,,,with very weak results. The ones I use are 33mm glass microscope slip covers. For reproducers they are wonderful.

Norman is a highly detailed fellow, and I am excited to hear that new diaphragms are being manufactured in Germany! Maybe because I am ¼ German!

[winsleydale]

Okay, I just received the glass diaphragm. It is ever so thin! It came in a neat little plastic case, which is great because I can't put it in immediately. So, here's my next question: How should I install it? I am afraid of it cracking if I use too much heat. For context, last time I messed with my recorder, I used a soldering iron to melt my bead of wax around the perimeter, and also to melt the shellac that is holding the cutter to the diaphragm. Mind that I did not actually touch the soldering iron to the recorder, I just melted the wax and shellac with the radiant heat of the iron. I talked briefly about it with Mr. Bruderhofer and he said I would probably be fine, but what saith the Forum? Should I use shellack dissolved in alcohol instead of melting straight shellac? I also have some liquid hide glue, how do you think that would work? Chuck and Shawn, your input is especially desired.

[MicaMonster]

Glass is used on Standard Speakers and Automatic recorders. If you have a later recorder with the separate floating disc under the recorder body, this takes very thin mica.

[winsleydale]

My last diaphragm was thin glass on a recorder with the floating disk. I would have reused it but it broke.

[winsleydale]

...Aaand this one is broken, as well. It came packed very safely and well, but my hands are just too unsteady for this sort of work, I guess. I have already ordered 2 replacements, and I thing I will just take them to Union along with my recorder body and cutter and have somebody who knows what they're doing have a go at it.

[Marco Gilardetti]

What a disappointment, I'm sorry for that.

[winsleydale]

Thank you... Luckily, they aren't very expensive, although it does take a bit for them to arrive from Germany.