The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thank you! I have checked there several times, but it seems that the un-notched ones are more plentiful. I haven't turned up a notched one... yet! I've got to locate a copy of that book as well!

The notched recorder bodies are quite common.
Usually they come in the form of what I call
"recorder hulks".

These hulks sometimes have diaphragm and gaskets intact.
Most often they are missing the stylus holder and the
stylus. Sometimes they are even missing the sliding
tube which has the ball shape on the end which engages the socket on the recorder weight.

If suitable hulks cannot be found online, try looking
for them at various shows. If you don't see them, ask
for them. I have time and time again been very pleasantly surprised at shows by what lurks below the tables in dusty boxes.

Once you gather up a bunch of various hulks then
you can trade around parts to build up a decent
one. You can then learn how to make a stylus holder
out of thin copper or aluminum sheet.

You can also make your own gaskets. Then get a cutter
and you are in business!

Hi everyone, I just purchased a notched recorder for my Edison Standard. The stylus bar is loose from the glass diaphragm. How should this be attached? Could someone post some photos for me so that I can see how it should be assembled? I'm posting photos from the auction to show the recorder. Does it look complete? And more importantly... what all will I need to start recording my own cylinders? Who supplies the blank cylinders? Do I need to locate a larger/longer horn for better recordings?

Thanks!

Edisonh19 wrote:Hi everyone, I just purchased a notched recorder for my Edison Standard. The stylus bar is loose from the glass diaphragm. How should this be attached? Could someone post some photos for me so that I can see how it should be assembled? I'm posting photos from the auction to show the recorder. Does it look complete? And more importantly... what all will I need to start recording my own cylinders? Who supplies the blank cylinders? Do I need to locate a larger/longer horn for better recordings?

Thanks!

g.jpg

h.jpg

s-l1600.jpg

The recorder looks to be reasonably complete, and appears to need only reattaching the stylus. Before you do so, however, check the cutter under high magnification for any chips or wear where it would touch the blank: those will result in a poor recording, if at all. It is possible to turn the cutter in its holder (if you do so very carefully), to present a clean edge to the blank.

To reattach the stylus holder, you should probably use shellac. My suggestion would be to pour a little bit of uncut shellac into a small container, and let it sit for a while until it starts to dry and thicken: then you can place a small line of it on the diaphragm (you can see where the outline of the original adhesive is), and place the stylus holder there, aligned as straight as possible, with the cutter facing toward the center. Let the shellac dry for a day or two, and you should be in business.

For actual recording, you'll need some accessories: a broad camel's hair chip brush to clean off the swarf (shavings); a lamp with an incandescent bulb to warm the blank before recording (say about 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit); a recording horn or speaking tube (for best results, a plain conical horn, without bell, about 2 feet long, with a diameter of about 6 inches at the end; but a regular 'witches' hat' horn is OK for experimenting).

As for blanks: Fortunately, we have two experts on the Forum who have dedicated themselves to making high quality blanks: Shawn Borri and Chuck Richards. The blanks are somewhat expensive, as they are hand made and not a 'mass production' item, but they are very well worth it.

You can find old original blanks that have been shaved from time to time; but you should be hesitant to shave any recorded cylinders (you would need a proper shaving machine, anyway).

If you're simply recording your own voice, you'll have to let the chips fall as they may; but if you're recording someone else, you should stand behind the phonograph to blow away the swarf as it forms, so that it doesn't interfere with the cutter. You can also use a little squeeze puffer for the same purpose.

Happy experimenting!

Bill

Bill, thank you so much for the information! I've been studying some photos of recorders to ascertain the condition of the one I've purchased. I'm anxious for its arrival. I thought briefly that the inner tube was missing, but upon re-examining the photos, it appears to be there.

I'll have to track down some blanks. My standard does have its original record shaver in place, though I'm not sure that it works as well as a true cylinder shaver would. I'm anxious to try this out! I think it will be fun. I'm considering recording anecdotal information about my house (which was built in 1912) as told by the grand-daughter of the people who built the house. I think it would be a nice way to preserve the information.

I also have a few friends who perform music live. This would also be a nice way to record some of their work, just for fun!

Thanks again! I really appreciate all the info. Now I'm off to look for a larger horn and some blanks! Would a morning glory style horn work? Or should I look for something with a narrower bell, like a witches hat or simple cone?

Ed.