Correct reproducers for playing cylinders?

[phonogal]

I have a couple of cylinder machines and I'm a little confused about what I can or can't play on them. I have a Triumph with an O reproducer. Can I play 4 minute black wax and blue amberols with the 4 minute stylus or do I need a different reproducer with a diamond stylus for the blue amberols? My Standard machine has an H reproducer which according to Frow has a sapphire stylus but was introduced in 1908 for the amberol cylinders. I also have an Amberola DX and 30 and am assuming only blue amberols on these.

[phonogfp]

You're right. You don't really need a different reproducer for the Blue Amberols, but if you plan on playing a lot of them, I'd recommend a Diamond B for that Triumph. They're not overly expensive and do a nice job.

Yes - only Blue Amberols (or 4 minute Indestructibles) on the DX and 30.

George P.

[phonogal]

Thanks George. Just didn't want to damage anything and saw a few postings that mentioned a diamond reproducer to go with the Triumph O. I have a model B on the DX.

[Valecnik]

Thanks George. Just didn't want to damage anything and saw a few postings that mentioned a diamond reproducer to go with the Triumph O. I have a model B on the DX.

The diamond B on your DX should drop right into the Triumph carriage and will give better results than your O on the Triumph.

[phonogal]

Thanks George. Just didn't want to damage anything and saw a few postings that mentioned a diamond reproducer to go with the Triumph O. I have a model B on the DX.

The diamond B on your DX should drop right into the Triumph carriage and will give better results than your O on the Triumph.

Thanks, Tried the the B last night. Doesn't sound as good as the O. Probably needs a rebuild and possibly a new stylus. Who rebuilds these?

[Phototone]

While generally speaking a 4-minute reproducer is only intended for 4-minute cylinders, and the ones with the heaviest weights are only intended for celluloid cylinders, such as Blue Amberol and US Everlasting, etc. The few 2-minute celluloid cylinders made by Everlasting and other late makers of celluloid cylinders will play OK, and the stylus will do no harm. Just don't ever play a wax 2-minute cylinder with a 4-minute stylus.

[OrthoSean]

Thanks, Tried the the B last night. Doesn't sound as good as the O. Probably needs a rebuild and possibly a new stylus. Who rebuilds these?

Steve Medved is your guy, he did a B for me recently and his work is second to none.
His email is "steve_noreen -at- m-s-n dot com"

Sean

[phonogal]

Thanks Sean. Will get in touch with him.

[phonogal]

Another question. What stylus/reproducers are correct for the 2m and 4m indestuctables? I'm assuming they where sold to be used with the same reproducers as the Edison 2m and 4m but they aren't made from the material? Don't want to ruin a good stylus. Thanks, Jan

[Lucius1958]

Another question. What stylus/reproducers are correct for the 2m and 4m indestuctables? I'm assuming they where sold to be used with the same reproducers as the Edison 2m and 4m but they aren't made from the material? Don't want to ruin a good stylus. Thanks, Jan

Well, the regular sapphire styli on Edison reproducers will handle Indestructibles quite well; after all, the cylinders were made for all standard-size machines. The Columbia 'Lyric' reproducers are also fine for the 2 minute cylinders, and the Edison Diamond reproducers work well on the 4 minute cylinders. There may be some issues with tracking, as the Indestructibles seem to be more vulnerable to shrinkage than the Blue Amberols.

Incidentally, both Columbia and the U.S. Phonograph Co. employed 'combination' reproducers, which were supposed to play both 2 and 4 minute records with a single stylus - but those were designed for Indestructibles, as they would cause excessive wear on wax cylinders.

Bill