Music Master Horn

[krkey1]

Does anyone have any idea how many music master horns were made during the commercial phonograph era (1898-1929)?

How many music master horns have been made for collectors after that period?

[danohallaron]

I have no information regarding numbers, and don't know if they are even available.

Production of the Cygnet MM Horn began in late 1908. The Opera, which was the last of the Edisons to be fitted with the MM, was phased out in 1914, with the introduction of the Diamond Disc in 1913. Following that, Cygnet MM production began to diminish (as the only sales would have been to refit existing machines). So, fitment on Edisons began around 1908 and ceased on new production machines around 1914. The company did continue to produce wood horns, primarily for disc machines. But, within a few years, sales had collapsed and they were bankrupt.

Radio Speakers, bearing the Music Master name, were produced from 1922-1926. The larger of the 2 sizes, known as the Concert, was maufactured in Spruce and Mahogany and shared very similar dimensions to the Music Master Phonograph Horn. The primary difference is a slightly larger collar size, rendering it difficult to use on a phonograph.

They are a primary focus of mine, in this hobby and I have 24 on display.

[phonogfp]

Production of the Cygnet MM Horn began in late 1908.

Just to clarify, the metal Edison Cygnet Horns were announced in the August 1909 issue of The Edison Phonograph Monthly. The Music Master Cygnets were announced in the August 1910 issue.

George P.

[krkey1]

That is an impressive collection.

There is one way to figure this out. Easy but hard at the same time. Gather up as many phonographs as possible. Determine the ratio of machines with Music Master Horns to those without. Apply that ratio to the known manufacture numbers of machines. That could provide a ball park estimate.

[Andersun]

They are a primary focus of mine, in this hobby and I have 24 on display.

Wow, beautiful collection!

[danohallaron]

Production of the Cygnet MM Horn began in late 1908.

Just to clarify, the metal Edison Cygnet Horns were announced in the August 1909 issue of The Edison Phonograph Monthly. The Music Master Cygnets were announced in the August 1910 issue.

George P.

That's interesting, George. I was working off the original patent date, but that apparently was for front horns. Late 1910 until the phasing out of Edison Cylinder Phonographs in 1914 or so is a very short window. That leads me to believe the total production number is modest and many have not survived. So, MM horns likely first appeared in the Triumph D series, in addition to Idealia, Opera, Home and Standard models of that era. Are there any other models that could be ordered with the MM Cygnet? Fireside perhaps?

[phonogfp]

Are there any other models that could be ordered with the MM Cygnet? Fireside perhaps?

Yes, the Model B Fireside came factory-equipped with a Cygnet horn.

George P.

[Steve]

I have no information regarding numbers, and don't know if they are even available.

Production of the Cygnet MM Horn began in late 1908. The Opera, which was the last of the Edisons to be fitted with the MM, was phased out in 1914, with the introduction of the Diamond Disc in 1913. Following that, Cygnet MM production began to diminish (as the only sales would have been to refit existing machines). So, fitment on Edisons began around 1908 and ceased on new production machines around 1914. The company did continue to produce wood horns, primarily for disc machines. But, within a few years, sales had collapsed and they were bankrupt.

Radio Speakers, bearing the Music Master name, were produced from 1922-1926. The larger of the 2 sizes, known as the Concert, was maufactured in Spruce and Mahogany and shared very similar dimensions to the Music Master Phonograph Horn. The primary difference is a slightly larger collar size, rendering it difficult to use on a phonograph.

They are a primary focus of mine, in this hobby and I have 24 on display.

That is a very impressive collection.

I only have one in my collection and it is rather oddly attached to an HMV horn gramophone via the original correct Victor type elbow albeit with drilled and screwed fixings which was never designed to go with the MM horn, hence the original metal sleeve is missing. However, this possible "dealer upgrade" is obviously a contemporary revision and the two have lived together for the life of both - an application of beeswax to seal between the horn and elbow is from the period. My investigation revealed this by carefully removing a few minute spots of beeswax from the horn exterior which revealed the bright unfaded original French polish underneath.

What I like about MM horns, especially in preference to Victor / HMV, so-called "wooden horns" (which are veneered laminated construction), is that they are made from solid ¼" thick timber sections.