Golden Wedding - Amberol cylinder - Ada Jones & Len Spencer

[jnorman111]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ28Jpf3J20

[Guest]

(J.M.J.)

Because of the nickel plated reproducer that was an expensive option for the first couple of??? years on the Amberola 50 my machine sounds clearer than if this cylinder were to be played with the usual pot metal reproducers which was the standard equipment on Amberola 50s or Amberola 30s.

[jnorman111]

(J.M.J.)

The nickel plated pot metal reproducer, which was an expensive option, was offered possibly only during the first couple of years of manufacturing of the Edison Amberola 50. Does anyone feel that my machine possibly sounds clearer (and louder ??) than if this cylinder were to be played with the usual black painted pot metal reproducer? The type which was the standard equipment on Amberola 50s and Amberola 30s. I realize an Amberola 50 sounds louder than an Amberola 30, but would the nickel plating also have an improved effect other than cosmetic?

[gramophoneshane]

Hmm, interesting observation.
Personally, I think it may have less to do with the plating, and more to do with the diaphragm?
My amberola 30 has a black reproducer, but I've had quite a few comments on youtube saying it's one of the best sounding 30s they've heard.
When I got the machine, the reproducer was full of bugs, the diaphragm was soaked in oil and was extremely distorted, so I immediately ordered a new replacement diaphragm on ebay & installed it a week later.
After a few weeks of use, I wasn't entirely happy with the sound quality, and found my Diamond B reproducer with original diaphragm sounds better, so I decided to experiment with the distorted C diaphragm.
I started by soaking it in alcohol to soften it & draw out the oil, then soaked it in dilluted shellac for a few hours, but suspended the diaphragm so the shellac was soaking into the underside, and not into the topside and cork. I then placed it between 2 sheets of grease proof paper, and using a large brass washer and brass nut, I clamped it firmly using a G clamp, and sat it on the windowsill for a week to harden.
I put it back into the C reproducer, and the difference was amazing. It sounded even better than the B.
After this, I decided to give the B diaphragm some fresh shellac, thinking it may have been responsible for the sound improvement in the C but it made no difference. However, I didn't clamp the B diaphragm because it appears to be in good original condition and retained it's shape well.
The only thing I could put it down to, is that the original shape of the C diaphragm has been restored, having a nice flat even outer circumference and a nice domed centre.

Perhaps your diaphragm has always been kept in a nice dry environment, and with little use, wasn't subjected to the stresses that deformed the diaphragm in any way, and so retains it's original shape better than many others out there??

[gramophoneshane]

(J.M.J.)

The nickel plated pot metal reproducer, which was an expensive option,

Was this ever an option?
I thought Edison simply changed from plated to painted as a cost cutting measure, and that all of the ealier production models had nickel plated reproducers?

[jnorman111]

(J.M.J.)

You are right Gramophoneshane as option was a wrong discription, do you know what year we are talking about when the change-over took place? Also right regarding the diaphragm and possibly the gasket replacement, and not the nickel plating. making the sound quality difference.

[Valecnik]

I agree that the nickel plating should not make any difference in the sound. Gaskets & diaphragms would be the trick.