A chunky EMG Mark Xb

[Garret]

A most interesting EMG Xb just followed me home, after a 1500 mile trip to collect it from across the channel.

A Xb should have a 29.5" horn, with the horn tilted down so that it's aimed at the listener..... but not this one! It wasn't until I got it home and set it up next to my Expert Senior that I noticed something doesn't add up.

Gilbert as he's affectionately known sports a 31.5" horn, which is tilted upwards 10 degrees. The thinking is that it might have been commissioned for a large hall where the sound would be reflected back onto the listeners. Why 31.5"? perhaps because that would still comfortably fit through a standard door.

The motorboard is a later addition, with hinges at the back and two needle cups. Interestingly, there are no redundant screw holes underneath to suggest it was ever held by the usual corner screws. A lamp was added to the inside of the lid, which is seriously convenient.

The motor, a later addition too, is an electric Paillard induction motor. It runs beautifully smooth and silent, and I'm really amazed these aren't seen more often. Interestingly, that runs at 110v.

So, how does it compare to my trusty Herbert the Expert Senior? The two couldn't be any more different. This one has a seriously punchy bass and a much wider soundstage compared to the Expert as expected given the size difference. The Expert has a brighter sound, each lending itself to different types of records. Videos below:

- Fugere, Legende De La Sauge: https://youtu.be/TuV0kKZFd8w
- Hüsch, Gazing Around (Tannhäuser) : https://youtu.be/VMV7K1JO9Y8
- Blue Racketeers, Business In F: https://youtu.be/P_7HSjEKlPg
- Lew Davis, There's Company: https://youtu.be/nP1WceLPISY

You'll notice that Gilbert has for now moved onto the floor so that my listening spot is in the beam, rather than under it. I'm thinking of making a nice oak plinth for it to sit on, instead of directly on the floor.

PXL_20221015_080109071.jpg

Holy [crap]. Where did you find that on the continent??

[Ahmed]

Holy [crap]. Where did you find that on the continent??

It was hiding away in sunny Italy!

[Garret]

Holy [crap]. Where did you find that on the continent??

It was hiding away in sunny Italy!

How did you find it though??!

[anchorman]

so, so nice! Lovely to see more pictures of it!

[BassetHoundTrio]

What a magnificent sight! Congratulations on a unique EMG!

[Marco Gilardetti]

It was hiding away in sunny Italy!

Oh my gosh... Well... I wouldn't have had room enough for it in my house anyway. Congrats for the interesting find!

The original owner would have commissioned it with an upward horn for a reason that's now gone with him.

That's very interesting. I wonder if it was pointed towards a corner of the ceiling, thus making an enormous reflex type horn with a mouth as large as the room itself. Intriguing idea that I would like very much to experiment with.

[emgcr]

We have discussed such things before but unfortunately---yet again---the system has let us down with photos being cancelled after one year---crazy and unforgivable. Here again is one photo to show what the debate was all about................

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18654&hilit=vertical+horn+EMG

[Marco Gilardetti]

Indeed a huge amount of valuable images has got lost.

I remember seeing pictures of that peculiar machine. However, the horn is pointing in the opposite direction of what I had in mind.

[emgcr]

The horn can be turned around.

[Ahmed]

Many thanks all

@Marco: oooh, I like your thinking! I'll give that a try and report back on the results

@EMGCR: It is a huge loss of such an invaluable resource. I often refer to old threads, and so many are near useless without all the pictures. Rather worrying they're not back yet!