The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Wow owl,so cool!

dennis wrote:download/file.php?id=24180

Boy that was some great info! I think my next horn will be much better

David

CONGRATULATIONS David! Many people think about trying (including me years ago, then luckily I happened to buy my first EMG), few people attempt it, and even fewer succeed. As already mentioned, a coat of artist's gesso will be helpful. When I restored a Mk IX horn recently, when nearly finished, I put a coat of gesso on, then another layer of papier applique, then another coat before the final papering. It really helped stabilise things.

Orchorsol wrote:CONGRATULATIONS David! Many people think about trying (including me years ago, then luckily I happened to buy my first EMG), few people attempt it, and even fewer succeed. As already mentioned, a coat of artist's gesso will be helpful. When I restored a Mk IX horn recently, when nearly finished, I put a coat of gesso on, then another layer of papier applique, then another coat before the final papering. It really helped stabilise things.

Thank you!!! It sure was a lot of fun to make What did you use for the final coat?

Well done David---a labour of love ! You now need to attach it to a drive unit of some sort to see how it sounds. Keep the bell as light as possible so as not to over-stress the weak point at the swan-neck.

emgcr wrote:Well done David---a labour of love ! You now need to attach it to a drive unit of some sort to see how it sounds. Keep the bell as light as possible so as not to over-stress the weak point at the swan-neck.

I’ve only put 3 coats of paper on the bell, but LOTS of coats on the swan neck. Like at least 10 coats on the neck. The swan neck is quite sturdy, and the bell isn’t very heavy. Instead of pasting more paper to make it harder I’m going to try gesso. I like that you can sand it smooth.

As far as the cabinet goes, I was thinking about using a panatrope tone arm and reproducer, and possibly an electric motor (thanks for the offer Charles ) I still need to design how the end of the tone arm gets connected to the horn. Im sure I’ll figure something out



David

dzavracky wrote: I still need to design how the end of the tone arm gets connected to the horn. Im sure I’ll figure something out.

Try to ensure that the internal diameters at the join are identical to promote a smooth passage of the developing spherical wave form. Good luck !

emgcr wrote:

dzavracky wrote: I still need to design how the end of the tone arm gets connected to the horn. Im sure I’ll figure something out.

Try to ensure that the internal diameters at the join are identical to promote a smooth passage of the developing spherical wave form. Good luck !

I was planning on using a metal pipe at the beginning of the swan neck with a diameter of 1.5 inches. Then it would be easy to make sure that the sound has a smooth passage from the inside of the cabinet into the horn

David

This may not suit your project but, for interest, here is a sketch of the salient measurements of an EMG horn spigot made in bronze. As you will see, the internal diameters are different at both ends in order to follow what becomes the exponential progression.