The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all, I've just posted an 11-minute clip on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVfuFfwt ... aQ&index=1

I hasten to add that the Edison LP side being played here (30001-L) has visible wear in its outer grooves, hence the frequent skips and surface noise; both (mercifully) diminish as the record advances. This week I will send off the LP reproducer to be checked/repaired, particularly in its stylus area.

For all the challenges and costs involved with the Edison LP technology I must say that I am very fond of it. The LP discs have more volume and richness than I had been led to believe was the case. Sure, it's all just acoustical, but still packs a pretty good wallop for such a narrow groove. Plus, it is just so absolutely amazing and pleasing to have an antique phonograph disc play for so long. Sure, it was ultimately a commercial "failure," but still something of which the Edison camp of yesterday and today can be proud.

Ralph

What is pushed up against the front of that cabinet? It's driving me nuts ... looks like a robotic dog's paw. haha

At least it's not Nipper's paw!

I up-ended a piano bench to so that I could place the camera on a solid surface instead of dancing around with it. I realized afterwards that people would be mystified, so thanks for asking right off!

Thanks for upload. It's always interesting to hear / learn more about the Edison long play discs.

Your camera / microphone setup has a heavy pumping compressor going on it though. Might be best to switch it off or move the camera farther back from the machine.

I'm always learning about technology, old and new.

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Chuck, I've found on-line and in printed sources a variance. Some say 400 grooves per inch, others say 420, others say 450. I'd go with the middle figure!

Yes, it sure is an interesting technology. Tomorrow I'm sending off my LP reproducer to the Victrola Repair Service in Vermont; they've worked on them before.

People have differing philsophies on playing the Edison LPs on original equipment, and to each their own. Some are in this hobby as collectors and are very reluctant to play vulnerable records that might be damaged and then lose some value. On the other end you have those who "collect to play"--who want to immerse themselves in the old audiophile experience--and that often centers on playing period records on period phonographs. I'm clearly in the latter camp. The commitment I make to preservation is that I pay for top-of-the line repairs and maintenance on my phonographs so that my records have the best chances for longevity.

I find it hard to believe that the Edison LP system was so poorly designed that it would produce catastrophic record damage in all cases. Rather, I think the system will work (though admittedly with a more rapid rate of standard wear) if scrupilously serviced. That's my goal, and I'm sticking to it.

pughphonos wrote:Chuck, I've found on-line and in printed sources a variance. Some say 400 grooves per inch, others say 420, others say 450. I'd go with the middle figure!

My understanding has always been that the long play groove pitch is 450 TPI, which makes sense to me. The standard Diamond Disc was cut at 150 TPI, so a simple 1:3 gear ratio arrives at 450 TPI. I think Edison seemed to go for simple ratio numbers. For instance, the 2M cylinders were cut 100 TPI. The 4M cylinders were cut 200 TPI, and some experimental cylinders were even cut at 400 TPI.

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