The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks George for your input!

I think I may grab one of these since tomorrow is payday and I've always wanted one of these.

Best / Sean

Although I have a bunch of extra Automatics not on machines, I plan on buying one of these repros also just as another example of different Automatic reproducers that were made. If anyone has an unusual Automatic reproducer they wish to sell such as a Fletcher please let me know. Always looking to buy reproducers.

Rich Gordon

I have a reproduction long-throat Columbia I got from them and have been very pleased with it.

Clay

phonojim wrote:
One question: does anyone know what diaphragm material he is using for these? Glass, mica or ??

Jim


The eBay writeup specifies glass diaphragms.

George P.

Some days I can't see what's right in front of my face. Thanks, George.

Jim

What exactly is French glass?

fran604g wrote:What exactly is French glass?

Glass made in France, obviously...

I'm wondering if it is a specific manufacturing technique such as; layering or floating? Or is it just a generic term?

Perhaps I ought to ask Justin...

This is good news, a very reasonable price, as original automatics are not easy to come by. I am also glad that they have glass diaphragms, I have never heard anything else in them that sounds as good,however it would be nicer if softer rubber gaskets were available for the Edison reproducers, I have never been quite happy with what is available, they are a tad on the hard side,I believe the original gasket material was softer,for better volume and bass response, and decreased distortion. I I believe french glass is thin leaded crystal.

edisonphonoworks wrote:This is good news, a very reasonable price, as original automatics are not easy to come by. I am also glad that they have glass diaphragms, I have never heard anything else in them that sounds as good,however it would be nicer if softer rubber gaskets were available for the Edison reproducers, I have never been quite happy with what is available, they are a tad on the hard side,I believe the original gasket material was softer,for better volume and bass response, and decreased distortion. I I believe french glass is thin leaded crystal.

Thank you, I've been trying to find reference to this topic and, so far, I only found one small reference to it as, "[sic]...very flat thin glass 7/1000 of an inch thick". I'm going to go ahead and assume the French were highly proficient at making it, thereby the name.

Justin tells me that his source is German, but he kept the term to differentiate it.

Fran

I have used the new glass diaphragms in my 1890's recorder, and my automatic reproducer, and am very happy. I wish though that some thinner sizes a 6 and 5 thousandths would be nice, and even a 2 thousandths for violin, and acoustic guitar, in the 1890's size 5-9 were available for recording, in half thousandths increments. The glass works well in later recorders too.