The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

52089 wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:46 am

Django wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:10 am Not no diminish the efforts made, and speaking only for myself, I want my listening experience to take me back in time, not bring the experience into the 21st century. I want it to sound just as it did in the early part of the 20th century. Maybe I am missing something.

Unfortunately, we have 21st century expectations. I was playing my guitar and my daughter said, “I love to hear you play, but I hate hearing your fingers”. Most modern recording filters out the true sound of an acoustic guitar. You lose the less than pleasant process sounds, but to me, they are a part of the authenticity, (for the record, I don’t get a lot of squeak).

Unless it ruins the experience, I will take authentic over enhanced. I am with the feisty one on this one.

I don't know that I would say one should replace a good original one, "just because", but at this point there are fewer and fewer good originals every day. I'm just glad that someone is making competent replacements.

I'm also glad that those makers aren't limiting themselves to only making original-style diaphragms. Edison doubtless tried hundreds of materials in various combinations to get to where he was comfortable. He probably made the best diaphragm he could at the time with the resources available to him. Had the DD continued to be a successful business, I have no doubt he would have tried to improve the reproducing system further, as he did by releasing the Dance and Edisonic reproducers.

Are there any original-style Edisonic diaphragms available?

I am also one of the "traditionalists" that appreciate the "original sound" of an Edison diaphragm, however, I'm not sure any of us really know what that sounds like. The original diaphragms, even if not damaged, have certainly aged. I think that when time machines are invented, we'll be surprised to hear what an Edison diaphragm sounded like when new. Might sound like Wyatt's example

BTW, where is Wyatt? Has he posted on TMF any time lately?

JerryVan wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 6:41 am BTW, where is Wyatt? Has he posted on TMF any time lately?

Not since June, it looks like. However, he has been busily posting to his YouTube channel.

JerryVan wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 6:41 am I am also one of the "traditionalists" that appreciate the "original sound" of an Edison diaphragm, however, I'm not sure any of us really know what that sounds like. The original diaphragms, even if not damaged, have certainly aged. I think that when time machines are invented, we'll be surprised to hear what an Edison diaphragm sounded like when new. Might sound like Wyatt's example

BTW, where is Wyatt? Has he posted on TMF any time lately?

He’s been busily working with Gavin Rice and some others recording on Edison cylinders and bringing phonographs to the masses on tik-tok, amongst other things.

I’m very interested in diaphragm design… can someone point me to where I would find the discussions people had 10 years ago about these improvements that subsequently became the figure 6? Even if Wyatt told me the secrets of this diaphragm, I’d still like to see the conversations people were having that lead to it. There’s always something interesting to learn in the process.

Being new to this hobby and incredibly unfamiliar with original machines I would have to go with replacement parts that make the best of what I have. Wyatt Markus has on many occasions taken the time to explain things and answer my questions just like many of the forum members. I don't have great records most of my stuff comes from antique shops and ebay. Yes I have purchased reproducers from Wyatt and he repairs all of my reproducers too. I don't have great hearing anymore either so if Wyatt can not only rebuild my reproducer but make it sound better I'm all for it. Unfortunately most of the music on old cylinder records aren't going to be bringing more people into our hobby but with a better sounding machine and newer recordings we can attract younger people in. Just my 2 cents. Thanks to all members for always helping us newbies out.

Thanks for sharing this! The Figure6 sounds great in this example.

Bill

BillH_NJ wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:30 pm Thanks for sharing this! The Figure6 sounds great in this example.

Bill

lol, well no-one is going to post examples that make it sound bad/worse, when trying to promote a diaphragm