The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am not as well versed on which horn
would be exactly correct for each machine, as
some other collectors are here.

It has been said that if your machine's cabinet
is drilled in the back for the cygnet horn crane
bracket, then that would be a basis to go with
for putting it back that way. I personally
think (as others here have already said), that it's probably not the greatest idea to drill up
the back of a previously undrilled machine cabinet.

Here's my suggestion:

An Edison Home machine I feel looks mighty
good with its straight Edison black 11 panel
morning glory horn. It will sound superb too.
That will not cost nearly as much as the cygnet
horn. At shows such as Union, there are always
plenty of very nice 11 panel straight Edison
morning glory horns for around $100.

A reproduction or original crane with foot,
foot bracket, and top bracket can also be
purchased at a very reasonable price.

That's just my way of looking at it.

Chuck

Nothing wrong with a straight horn. This model D came this way. I prefer a cygnet horn because of the room, but I too would not drill a machine that did not come this way.

If you buy a reproduction horn you might consider having it wood rained rather than painting it black. The horn in my photo is an original horn but when it came into my possession it was house painted in gold. Black Cygnets are nice but oak or mahogany was an option that was seldom purchased. I think it makes my horn a touch more interesting. Jerry

I agree. Here is a repro I painted years ago.

Here's a few photos of a Standard D with a good quality reproduction Cygnet. Jerry

sq4wonder wrote:Anyone have an opinion if Cygnet horns have better sound than a morning glory horn?

That is a very subjective judgement, but I have always thought they sounded slightly better than the Tea Tray Co. MG horns, perhaps due to the taper of the long slender neck. It would be interesting to compare the cross sections of such horns.

To give you an idea between original versus reproduction. And it will cost more than 100.00 for a crane and back mount. The crane will cost that much.

ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION