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What is the best reproducer to play the 4 minute wax Edison cylinders? I have always used a C. I finally got a record after a 7 year wait, and don't want to damage it at all.

The Model C is for 2 minute wax cylinders only. For 4 minutes Edison wax cylinders you need a Model H. Of course a Model K or Model O in the 4 minutes setting would work as well. You also need a player with the 4 minute gearing.

Andreas

Here's an article that may be helpful:

http://www.antiquephono.org/basic-antiq ... onal-tips/

George P.

I recommend using only a Model "H" or Model "K" (set in the correct position). The Model "O" has a heavier weight that will wear the 4M wax records quicker; that wasn't a concern back then, but it is today.

VintageTechnologies wrote:I recommend using only a Model "H" or Model "K" (set in the correct position). The Model "O" has a heavier weight that will wear the 4M wax records quicker; that wasn't a concern back then, but it is today.

Is the Model "O" with the trowel-shaped weight too heavy for the 4M wax?

If you have an O with a trowel weight, it is safe to use, although there may be other opinions about that here. O weights were originally round and were cut back to the trowel shape by Edison in order to reduce record wear on 4 minute wax cylinders. The best choice is probably an H because of easy availability and relatively low cost, but which ones you can use depends on the configuration of your machine. The H, K, R and S fit machines with a small hole angled carriage while you need a large hole horizontal carriage for an O.

Note: the R and S are large diaphragm reproducers which are configured to fit an angled carriage but use the smaller weight of the H and K. The R is 4 minute only, similar to the H and the S is a combination 2 and 4, similar to the K.

Whatever reproducer you use, be sure the stylus is in good shape or you could destroy your wax records. If necessary, have the reproducer rebuilt and the stylus either rotated or replaced. 4 minute wax cylinders can be very unforgiving of a bad stylus.

Jim

I have a couple of K's and a O. Which of these 2 is the better choice? I confused, the C and K have the same stylus? Oh, except in the 4 minute mode?

Amberola wrote:I have a couple of K's and a O. Which of these 2 is the better choice? I confused, the C and K have the same stylus? Oh, except in the 4 minute mode?

The K reproducer has 2 different styli. One is for 2 minute records, similar to the C stylus, the other is for 4 minute records and is similar to the H stylus. You swivel the correct stylus into position before using it.

As noted earlier, the weight of an O is heavier than the weight of a C/H/K and may cause more wear to a wax Amberol, particularly if it has the full round weight (as opposed to the trowel shaped weight).