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I am considering putting a cygnet horn on an Edison Standard Model D that picked this weekend. It was never drilled for a cygnet and I have a spare horn and bracket begging to be put on something. Could someone post an image with dimensions, please. Thanks, Joe

Hi Joe.

Congratulations on getting your Standard D. They're great machines. While a cygnet horn is good to have for space saving reasons, I'd like to make a case for not adding holes to your machine. It affects the originality of the machine and changes the historical record. Additionally, the straight horns sound quite good and are a deal cheaper. There are lots of Standard Ds out there that are already drilled for cygnet crane brackets. (Here's a justification for having multiple machines, if ever there was one! )

With that said, it is certainly your decision and your right to add it if you want to. I'd just ask that you keep some documentation of any changes you made with the machine for any future owner or researcher.

In either case, good luck with your Standard D. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine!

Regards,
Martin

I agree with Martin. Keep the machine the way it is. Standard D machines are very common with cases drilled out for a cygnet horn. These turn up quite frequently.
Harvey Kravitz

Hello, Martin. Thank you for your response. I have been collecting for close to 30 years and have a complete and total respect for the hobby and the machines that we all enjoy. We would all like to be able to hear them tell their own life's story. But every once in a while you find a machine that has just had a rough life and you would like to give it a better "next" 100 years than its past 100. I am attaching a photo of the cabinet for this unit. As you can see it got very little care. I completely agree that these machines should keep their originality intact. In this case, I'm not even sure that the bedplate matches the cabinet, as there were several missing pieces and the bedplate was just sitting inside. So, I am piecing together a bunch of parts from my stock along with the parts from my find to make a decent Model D that will play 2/4 minute records and look good in a restored cabinet. I am looking for a cabinet already drilled and plan to post a wanted ad on the YT, but please understand that I am not a "hack" that wants to alter the history of these pieces of Americana, I want to preserve what I can but I feel this may be a unique case.
Thanks again for your post.
Joe

Phonofreak wrote:I agree with Martin. Keep the machine the way it is. Standard D machines are very common with cases drilled out for a cygnet horn. These turn up quite frequently.
Harvey Kravitz

Thank you, Harvey for your post but I don't think anyone would like to keep this machine the way it is. It might be mistaken for firewood
Joe

If the sentiment is to leave the cabinet "as is", I wish someone would step up and offer an exchange of an already drilled cabinet. Sorry, I don't have one. I also don't have a Standard D with a Cygnet in my collection. But I believe the bracket is centered in the middle of the mandrel. I just don't know where to place it vertically. Good luck with your project. Jerry Blais

Joe,
With a case in that condition, I think you can pretty much do what you like. Much of its originality is gone already. In any case, it's in for significant change if it is ever to be in the house again. I'd document what you do and incorporate your changes into the machine's history. Sorry for the "about face" on this, but I was imagining more of a "survivor". Please keep us updated on what you end up doing. I always like to see what others are doing. Best of luck to you on this.

Sincerely,
Martin

Wyatt's has this set of instructions you may find helpful: http://www.wyattsmusical.com/cygnetcrane.html

Dave Jolley

Although I would never fit a Cygnet horn bracket to a case in perfect condition ( I have a Triumph A which I wish had holes for a bracket, but would think it sacriledge to drill holes in it now)I would agree with your sentiment on this one.
I have measured four Standards with existing brackets, and though they all vary slightly, this is the average.
Lay your case on it's front and site the bracket 2 ⅜" from the left-hand side, and 1 ⅞" from the bottom. Make sure it is square then mark for your holes.
Best of luck,
Alistair.

Thank you, Alistair for taking the time and posting. I truly appreciate the info.
Joe