An EMG Plays an Edison Diamond Disc

[OrthoSean]

They certainly are, I should have been a little more specific with that comment. I was playing some orchestral and band stuff the other night. You can actually hear real bass, it's hard to describe it honestly, but it was enough to actually stop me in my tracks!

Sean

[howardpgh]

Sean that adaptor and phonograph are really cool. And that machine sounds fantastic. Can it play other vertical cut records also?
Please show a close up view of the reproducer/adaptor?
Is this setup a period piece or a more modern idea.

[OrthoSean]

Sean that adaptor and phonograph are really cool. And that machine sounds fantastic. Can it play other vertical cut records also?
Please show a close up view of the reproducer/adaptor?
Is this setup a period piece or a more modern idea.

Yes, this is a modern adapter, made by one of our own members here. I can play Pathés and other verticals using any of my EMG or Meltrope reproducers and a "Hughes-Stylus". I'll shoot some pictures soon!

Sean

[Swing Band Heaven]

Sean,
that set up sounds fantastic. I see that the horn droop has really improved since the last photos you posted of it.

[Phototone]

what sounds really astounding with this setup are the early embossed "transfer" Diamond Discs.

Sean

Well, the 'transfer' DDs are pretty spectacular in any case…

Bill

Please explain, what are "transfer" Diamond Discs?

[52089]

what sounds really astounding with this setup are the early embossed "transfer" Diamond Discs.

Sean

Well, the 'transfer' DDs are pretty spectacular in any case…

Bill

Please explain, what are "transfer" Diamond Discs?

Through May 1916, Diamond Discs were pressed into a layer of celluloid and "condensite" which was then separately bonded to the wood flour core, thus the recording was "transferred". Starting in June 1916, the blank condensite was first bonded to the core, then the record was pressed. This was a cheaper process that also resulted in noisier surfaces, especially once WWI broke out and supplies became harder to get.

Transfer process records are prone to having the recorded surface peel, chip, and crack more than the direct pressings, but clean copies are a wonder.

A Diamond Disc that has edge numbers but does not have an ABC date code below the Edison signature on either side is probably a transfer pressing (unless the song is from after 1916). The date codes look like "A5", "B10", "C2", etc., and indicate the pressing date of the record; A=1916, B=1917, C=1918, and the digits indicate the month.

There are no paper label transfer pressings.

See "Collector's Guide to Edison Records" by Copeland and Sherman for more details and additional technical info about the entire history of Diamond Discs.

[Phototone]

So the "transfer" pressings (and I'm sure I have some, just never thought about it), keep the rougher "core" more separated from the smoother surface, thus resulting in a quieter groove, lower noise floor.

[Lucius1958]

A Diamond Disc that has edge numbers but does not have an ABC date code below the Edison signature on either side is probably a transfer pressing (unless the song is from after 1916). The date codes look like "A5", "B10", "C2", etc., and indicate the pressing date of the record; A=1916, B=1917, C=1918, and the digits indicate the month.

The exception is the period from about June - September 1918, just after the date codes were dropped, and before the edge numbers were eliminated. Discs of this period are generally not too bad (if found in good condition), but not quite up to the 'transfer' quality - although you do find the occasional gem…

Incidentally, if you see either of these features, you can be sure you have a 'transfer' disc:

1. Edge numbers all face the same way.

2. No bonding indents on label area.

(The late transfers do not have these features, though, so you have to look for subtler signs).


Bill