The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

FellowCollector wrote:

VictorVV-X wrote: and the model H is for the Black Wax Amberols and two minute Indestructibles

"...for the Black Wax Amberols", yes. "...and two minute Indestructibles", no. The model H was not designed for play of any 2 minute cylinders including the Indestructibles. That said, the model H can play 2 minute Indestructible cylinders BUT the stylus was designed for a 4 minute groove and, therefore, the sound will be noticeably compromised.

It has been suggested, though, that a 4 minute stylus might possibly help with playing 2 minute Indestructibles that have suffered from shrinkage.

-Bill

Hello again all,
Thank you all for your help!

I decided to rename this post do to my having some further questions not reproducer related.
This time it is about horns.

I understand there were small horns and then there were horns that required a crane to support them. What was the difference between smaller and larger horns? Did it have to do with fidelity and volume, or just volume? For example; what kind of volume and fidelity would you get out of a 10-¾" horn vs. a 14" horn?

Thanks in advance.

VictorVV-X wrote: What was the difference between smaller and larger horns? Did it have to do with fidelity and volume, or just volume? For example; what kind of volume and fidelity would you get out of a 10-¾" horn vs. a 14" horn?

The difference is the fidelity, since a horn cannot increase volume or sound energy (although the perceived volume can increase). A larger horn allows the sound waves to expand in a natural manner without becoming diffused too quickly. The sound energy is directed and properly developed in a well-designed horn.

That said, the difference between a 10 ¾" horn and a 14" horn will probably be negligible if they're the same general shape. The flower-shaped horns that appeared in late 1904 do a better job than the earlier straight horns with conical bodies and applied bells.

This is a highly technical topic, but hopefully this simple explanation will make sense.

George P.

Here’s another question; on a machine with a horizontal carriage, could you use a witch’s hat horn with 45 degree elbow, or would it put undo stress on the carriage and reproducer?

VictorVV-X wrote:Here’s another question; on a machine with a horizontal carriage, could you use a witch’s hat horn with 45 degree elbow, or would it put undo stress on the carriage and reproducer?

You can use a 45-degree elbow on a horizontal carriage and mount a 14" B&B horn or other lightweight self-supporting horn. Just know that by the time the horizontal carriages were introduced, the 14" B&B horns were no longer being supplied with Edison Phonographs, so the configuration is anachronistic.

The additional weight on the reproducer's tube plate shouldn't be a problem unless there is unstable pot metal present. This additional weight will also require proper adjustment and good lubrication of the upper works.

George P.

George, Thank you.

I am looking into a functional model F Edison Standard without a horn and wanted to make sure that, if I get it, the horn arrangement I mentioned would work until I find the proper horn.

Thanks again.

Glad to help. Good luck!

George P.

Can small divots/chips/nicks in a celluloid cylinder damage a sapphire/diamond stylus?

I have a number of 2 minute Indestructible cylinders. My only 2 minute machines are a Home model A with a C reproducer, and an Amberola 1A with an M reproducer. I also have a Diamond A reproducer on my Opera. Which of these machines, and which reproducer should I use to play a 2 minute Indestructible cylinder?