Douglas Fitzpatrick's ACOUSTICAL ETHEREAL article

[poodling around]

I do have videos of what the gramophone now sounds like following the brilliant restoration. However the restorer, who is also the owner, is a very private individual and may not like publication so I cannot share I am afraid. Rest assured that the performance is now dramatically enhanced from that heard in the Holkham Hall video. The latter recording is very misleading indeed as so many of the frequencies were obviously missing although this is not well demonstrated via YouTube. One can say that the performance today is very good indeed and that the design is most impressive to have performed as well as it did with the bats in situ !

The acoustic output of HMV 202/203 re-entrant gramophones is analogous to the output from this trapezoidal horn in as much as the sound is "diffused" rather than "concentrated" as in the case of the output from EMG/Expert gramophones. Different types of magic are achieved.........

Thanks emgcr - it is, indeed very good to know that 'the performance is now dramatically enhanced from that heard in the Holkham Hall video'.

Incidentally, I really like the phrase 'Different types of magic are achieved ....' - this, to me, reminds me that all gramophones are special in their own way.

Brilliant !!!

[poodling around]

I have always wondered whether the late George Overstall, who I never met, was influenced by the shape of the Fitzpatrick horn when he built his own machine. Having passed between several custodians in recent years, it is now in the bat free care of a friend and forum member who lives near me. Since this photo was taken, a matching base has been custom made for it.

'bat free care' This made me laugh !

Great looking horn. Interesting to see another one which is highly regarded but not 'round' like most horns.

[emgcr]

Thank you for the photo of the Overstall gramophone Roger and here are four links to videos demonstrating the performance and a variety of frequencies. The room is quite resonant with wooden flooring :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPNOEehmjRk Alfred Deller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uk8OaaIi4A Claudia Muzio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMC3sHNKumw Oscar Natzke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIQw9BJOegU Joe Venuti.

I think it quite likely that George Overstall (I never met him either) was influenced in some way by the Fitzpatrick monster although his horn was square in section rather than trapezoidal.

[Steve]

Goodness me, that sounds absolutely marvellous. Thank you, Graham, for posting the links. I must seek out a copy of that Joe Venuti. I can't wait to hear it on the 10B Oversize!

[emgcr]

Yes, it is quite a treat ! One of the greatest bass sax' solos you will ever hear---Rollini was fabulous. Hope you are enjoying the Oversize.