The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've had one of these 4m wax amberols for a while now but I've never played it as I don't have the correct reporducer and it hasn't been worth while getting one for just one cylinder. I've heard before that they are very brittle and that changes in temperature can case then to self distruct and thats put me off getting any more. It would be nice (as stated about) if transfers were done from some of these onto a more stable medium. Seems there are some great performances which are in danger of being lost forever.

S-B-H

Swing Band Heaven wrote:I've had one of these 4m wax amberols for a while now but I've never played it as I don't have the correct reporducer and it hasn't been worth while getting one for just one cylinder. I've heard before that they are very brittle and that changes in temperature can case then to self distruct and thats put me off getting any more. It would be nice (as stated about) if transfers were done from some of these onto a more stable medium. Seems there are some great performances which are in danger of being lost forever.

S-B-H

Speaking of which, I was pretty nervous with the heat in the car while in LA. 111
degrees! They appear to have survived but I did notice there is some kind of
hazy film on them. Could this be mold perhaps? I have nothing to play them on
myself but I am planning on getting a sapphire equipped Edison eventually.

I think it is some form of mold, but unlike 2M's, I'm yet to see it eat into a 4M cylinder.
It usually wipes straight off with a soft cloth, but personally I think that sort of rubbing and handling is playing with fire.
I prefer to just play them as is, and after one or two plays the haze is gone.
I suppose you could also give them a bath using labtone as the detergent, but again it might be risky. If I were to go this route, I'd leave the water & cylinders stand for a few hours to achieve a fairly even temperature, and I'd want a scrap mandrel that had been sitting in the water to slide them on to give the cylinder even support while I gently brushed over the surface with cotton wool balls. I guess you'd need a double sink too, for a wash and rinse.
With all the mucking around and risk involve, I think I'll stick to just playing them, & put up with the dull ends.

I agree with Shane. The normally clean right up with one or two plays and sound great. I'd be reluctant to try to clean them in some other way.

Thanks Shane / Bruce for the tips. Once I get an appropriate machine for these I will just play
them carefully to help clean off the mold.