black wax cylinder damage

[kirtley2012]

I heard somewhere a while ago that the doorknob stylus on a edison model c reproducer can quickly cause wear and damage on cylinders, ever since then i have been holding back playing my phonograph because i dont want to damage my cylinders, i have been doing the same thing with my gramophones because i dont want to damage my 78s with a steel needle so i need to get some fiber/thorn needles, but the main thing is does a model c reproducer damage cylinders?

[flashpanblue]

Hello Kirtley,
The model C reproducer was designed to play the two minute black wax cylinders. Unless your stylus is damaged than it should not cause excessive ware on the cylinder surface. However do not play any Brown wax cylinders with the model C as the weight is too heavy. The earlier model reproducers,The Standard and Automatic Speaker and the early model b all used a Sapphire stylus and lighter weights designed for playing Brown wax.
Pete

[kirtley2012]

Hi, yeah i know about the brown wax cylinders and what cylinder not to play!, when i look at the stylus side on it doesnt seem to be perfectly rounded at the tip and at a slight angle at the tip(i.e the stylus may be slightly worn) so i may try turning the stylus to see if it has better results, i can sometimes see minimal wear after a play but i am never sure if it is from that playing or from the past 100 years!

[phonogfp]

If you're seeing black residue on the stylus after playing a cylinder, you've got a problem. Turning the stylus 90 degrees would be the safest route. As Pete said, the Model C won't damage your black wax 2 minute cylinders. If you want to play brown wax in the most cost-efficient way, invest in a Graphophone that uses a floating reproducer (such as a Type A, AT, B ["Eagle"], Q, etc.). You can often find a complete Graphophone for around the price of an Edison Automatic Reproducer!

George P.

[VintageTechnologies]

After many years, I can say that a Model C reproducer with a doorknob stylus will not wear a molded wax cylinder excessively if the stylus is in perfect condition. As mentioned, you can rotate the stylus to obtain a fresh surface, but please do your research how to loosen the glue the before attempting to rotate it. If you play a wax cylinder (with a good stylus) that has not been played for many years, the stylus may scrape off some oxidation the first few times you play it. The record may appear shinier after that. Don't be alarmed, just brush off any wax dust that was left on the surface.

I highly recommend using a microscope to evaluate phonograph stylii for flat spots. I use a stereo microscope, although a normal one will do. To view 2-minute stylii, I recommend 30X-50X. For 4-minute and Diamond Disc stylii, I recommend 100X.

I personally would play brown wax records only with an Automatic reproducer. I have noticed some variations in Model B reproducers, in which the weight is thicker and heavier on some than on others. I would be cautious about using those unless the weight was similar in thickness to an Automatic.

[kirtley2012]

Thanks guys, the way the stylus was, it was smooth when you scraped your finger nail over the part that touches the cylinder, i twisted it a bit and now i can feel a small step in the stylus where the doorknob is so i think ive sorted it!, it must have just been slightly worn!, it wasnt at the point of getting cylinder residue but was not perfect, i am now quite happy playing my cylinders, ideally i would get a better stylus but i cant afford it

[edisonphonoworks]

Just curious what you used, for glue, but if you used low heat, you should have no problem, and your stylus is solid in the bar. Melted Shellac and Stratena were used to mount stili and cross heads to mica and glass diaphragms. I might add you should not play Columbia wax cylinders with a C reproducer, but use lighter, earlier and kind. Columbia used essentially the basic of basics brown wax formula. for all there records, molded and pantographed, the molded have a little more metal in them but still are soft. Just a reminder to everyone, all post 1888 cylinders are metallic soap, and all start out with the same base aluminum liquor (although some off brands might contain salts of lead as well as non Edison dictation cylinders.) Edison formulas have more metal salts added zinc and copper to the black was formulas, as well as other ingredients that make them much harder, and resilient to playing.. I have seen Columbia molded wax records where the groove walls were gone, and just pits from the song left over indicating a soft formulation. As other suggested examine the stylus often, I must, as I put hundreds of hours on my machines recording and auditioning recordings that must not be damaged. .

[kirtley2012]

Hi, when i turned it i could hear the glue breaking loose but it is still stuck in there very well and is not budging so i just left it!, can someone send me a very close up image of a mint condition stylus just so i can double check mine is ok!

[kirtley2012]

Someone earlier mentioned using a columbia phonograph, i really like the AT and the A, can some one tell me approximatelly what one of these might cost in beat up condition or as a restoration project?, i would love to add one of these to my collecion one day!

[kirtley2012]

IMGP5250.JPG (62.24 KiB) Viewed 2823 times

does this stylus look ok, i cant tell for myself since this is the only reproducer i have!