The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm currently working on a green oak Standard (more about that later) and have come to the part I dreaded: choosing a reproduction Banner. I have some choices in hand and am having a hard time deciding which one to apply.

Here's what I'm trying to match - an original from 1905:
I'd like to get your opinions on which one you would apply. Here are the choices (in no particular order of preference):

#1
#2
#3
#4
(just kidding about #4)

Thanks in advance for your input.

Martin

#1 is the one I'd use, though the dark areas look a bit dark..
#2 has the wrong style 'A' in 'phonograph' and the type is too thin.
Both #2 and #3 have the same misplacement of the text to wave in the banner before the word phonograph. Look at the text 'standard' and the relationship of the wave of the banner below it. The relationship of the top of that wave should be below the 'ND' and not the 'D' alone. Other relationship issues between the type and banner exist too.

James.

I would get one from Gregg Cline... #1 is the most accurate, but is printed like the old decals with gold "colored" opaque ink. Gregg Cline uses gold "foil" printing which makes his decals look exactly like the originals. Original decals were printed on a silver foil background which makes the overlaid transparent gold have depth to them, which most repro decals don't have... Just my opinion.

Curt A wrote:I would get one from Gregg Cline... #1 is the most accurate, but is printed like the old decals with gold "colored" opaque ink. Gregg Cline uses gold "foil" printing which makes his decals look exactly like the originals. Original decals were printed on a silver foil background which makes the overlaid transparent gold have depth to them, which most repro decals don't have... Just my opinion.

I agree. Gregg's decals are essentially indistinguishable from the originals.

Thank you for your responses. One thing that popped out at me when posting this is the shape of the "E" in "Edison". #1 seems to most closely resemble the original in this regard, while #2 & #3 look different. Could it be that there was a slightly different version of the Banner (perhaps earlier) that #2 & #3 are based on?

They all have their points. It must be very hard to make a convincing Banner decal. While they're all very good, unfortunately none of these are indistinguishable. So the question stands, which of the three would you put on your machine?

I don't think I would use any of them. They are not anywhere near as good as the Greg Cline decals. Really, you should consider them before these choices.

http://phonodecal.com/decals/scripts/main1.php

Dan

melvind wrote:I don't think I would use any of them. They are not anywhere near as good as the Greg Cline decals. Really, you should consider them before these choices.

http://phonodecal.com/decals/scripts/main1.php

Dan

Definitely agree.

Fonotone wrote:

melvind wrote:I don't think I would use any of them. They are not anywhere near as good as the Greg Cline decals. Really, you should consider them before these choices.

http://phonodecal.com/decals/scripts/main1.php

Dan

Definitely agree.

I agree with the comments above.
I have used many reproduction decals in the past but none come close to the authenticity of Greg's.
I have used one of his on a suitcase Home (Which I reluctantly HAD to re-finish) The effect is that it would fool all but the most eagled eyed.
His Fireside bedplate decals are also superb.
Alistair.

After looking at both Greg clines and these decals and comparing them side by side I think no. 2 IS Greg Clines decal Tell me what you guys think but to me the lettering, style and placement are all the same the only difference I noticed was the the color is just a bit off but that might just be because they are different pictures. What do you guys think?

-Tom

These are the three best decals/transfers that I have been able to find over the last ten years. One of them is Gregg's. I respect the folks who made each of these. It takes many hours of work and much money to make something like this. Each has its points and each has its failings. So my question is which one of these would you pick for your machine? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards,
Martin