Expert Senior.

[chunnybh]

I have several of these protractors (Set squares) and guess what...Typically for EMG and Expert, they are all different.

[Orchorsol]

I have several of these protractors (Set squares) and guess what...Typically for EMG and Expert, they are all different.

Looking in Davey's (EMG) Book of the Fibre Needle, I can't find the angle specified - just the lengthy details on adjusting tracking.

Maybe they changed their opinion on needle angle at various times!

Here are my two gauges - checking with a protractor, the EMG is 62 degrees and the Orchorsol is accurate.

[old country chemist]

Hello again All, Needle angle-well I use a 50 degree angle, I think the old gramophone experimenter Captain Barnett patentee of several gramophonic ideas used this angle. I am not sure if the angle is really all that important-but some EMG and Expert owners us 60 degree angle, I suppose that a more acute angle would make sure the nose of the needle-the sharpened part, was more into contact with the grooves. Funny thing really, is that often these large machines have weight adjusters to minimise the weight on the needle point. I suppose if one is using metallic needles to "kill" a record on an EMG or Expert, one would require a weight adjuster,but the original theory was to use a soundbox, about 8 ounce weight, which was heavy enough to compact the needle point hard into the recorded grooves. Sasying all that, my Expert Senior has a factory fitted Ginn adjuster-works really well.

[Orchorsol]

Looking in Davey's (EMG) Book of the Fibre Needle, I can't find the angle specified - just the lengthy details on adjusting tracking.

Looking again, I was wrong - in section 2 (The Soundbox) it says "about 50 degrees... but a certain amount of latitude is possible". The Mark VII and Mark X EMGs are advertised, and the Alto needle cutter (not the Davey cutter) which dates the booklet at around 1929 if I'm not mistaken. Evidently their recommendation changed later on.

[old country chemist]

I have recently found some drawings of old gramophones, which I shamefully have ridiculed. I thought this may interest some of you. Sorry about quality, as I have photographed from original. One or two of you have seen these before.......?

[epigramophone]

My good friend "old country chemist" is too modest.

He is a talented artist who did the line drawings for "The EMG Story".

[Orchorsol]

My good friend "old country chemist" is too modest.

He is a talented artist who did the line drawings for "The EMG Story".

Yes indeed, fabuluous cartoons and wonderful sense of humour.

[old country chemist]

Some years ago, discussing the merits of Davey machines against Ginn's, an old collector mentioned the following, which has stuck with me over the years.He said that EMG and Expert gramophones reflected their manufacturers personalities. The Ginn Expert models being more forward in tone, just as Mr Ginn was- the somewhat brash salesman, whereas the Davey gramophones had this sence of gentility about them, perhaps a little retiring..?-just as the personality of Balfour Davey. Most of you will probably not agree, but it was an interesting comment made. I have had several external horn machines over the years. I had a "White Elephant"-a Davey 10b oversize, for 9 years-I was "garaging" it for the then Mayor of Abergavenny. I remember placing it on top of a 163 cabinet. The top of the horn of the 10b oversize was then only one inch from the ceiling. What a booming bass! I then had an Expert Minor, with fitted table. Great for dance records, and singers, but very little bass, Then I had a very nice Expert Senior, electric motor job, with excellent horn in the old brown flecked paper. Next I had an Expert Junior, with a painted horn-lovely condition, the horn as round as the day it was made, fitted with a Columbia oil bath motor. That machine went abroad. Now I have an Expert Senior, cream painted horn-which I see was a pale green, and pale blue, sometime in the distant past. Electric motor, and fitted table. A great machine. Someone asked me once if I felt some sence of superiority owning an expensive machine such as that. I answered in the negative. There seems to be amongst some collectors-and I use the word "Collectors" very carefully, as they are the sort who collect but do not get the best out of their machines, due to lack of use. In fact I feel rather humbled that I have been able to own several of these sterling quality gramophones, and the great pleasure that comes from the mighty mouths, is immense. There is certainly nothing to equal them, as most of you will agree,

[Frankia]

Some years ago, discussing the merits of Davey machines against Ginn's, an old collector mentioned the following, which has stuck with me over the years.He said that EMG and Expert gramophones reflected their manufacturers personalities. The Ginn Expert models being more forward in tone, just as Mr Ginn was- the somewhat brash salesman, whereas the Davey gramophones had this sence of gentility about them, perhaps a little retiring..?-just as the personality of Balfour Davey. Most of you will probably not agree, but it was an interesting comment made. I have had several external horn machines over the years. I had a "White Elephant"-a Davey 10b oversize, for 9 years-I was "garaging" it for the then Mayor of Abergavenny. I remember placing it on top of a 163 cabinet. The top of the horn of the 10b oversize was then only one inch from the ceiling. What a booming bass! I then had an Expert Minor, with fitted table. Great for dance records, and singers, but very little bass, Then I had a very nice Expert Senior, electric motor job, with excellent horn in the old brown flecked paper. Next I had an Expert Junior, with a painted horn-lovely condition, the horn as round as the day it was made, fitted with a Columbia oil bath motor. That machine went abroad. Now I have an Expert Senior, cream painted horn-which I see was a pale green, and pale blue, sometime in the distant past. Electric motor, and fitted table. A great machine. Someone asked me once if I felt some sence of superiority owning an expensive machine such as that. I answered in the negative. There seems to be amongst some collectors-and I use the word "Collectors" very carefully, as they are the sort who collect but do not get the best out of their machines, due to lack of use. In fact I feel rather humbled that I have been able to own several of these sterling quality gramophones, and the great pleasure that comes from the mighty mouths, is immense. There is certainly nothing to equal them, as most of you will agree,

I envy you your very interesting gramophone owning history! What a mouthwatering list of beautiful instruments you mention! I also find myself agreeing very much with your attitude to them. To me they're not really "things" to be "owned" but dynamic creations that engender psychological or emotional or spiritual uplift and happiness - depending on how one sees it oneself. They have a sort of presence and personality of their own. I frequently see myself as being very fortunate to have these friendly beasts in my sitting room.
(I write all this in the smug knowledge that none of you have my address and therefore I can't be locked up for the above!)

[old country chemist]

Thank you Frankia for your kind comments. It would also be nice to hear from some other EMG, Expert, Cascade, etc.owners as to whether they feel honoured, or otherwise, owning thse amazing gramophones. I always find the subject of "tuning" an interesting one. I have spent many, many hours over the years, in dismantling, and then re-building 2 and 4 spring boxes, with variable success. I remember one manufacturer of replacement diaphragms and gaskets,- he used to send me samples for me to try out. A fascinating subject is the re-building and adjustment of these soundboxes, and an art not very well known by many. The problem is I find, in obtaining the correct thickness of aluminium diaphragms, and the correct diameter.