The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What would be the largest/ best sounding horn for my Standard D that I could use without drilling holes into the case for a crane. It currently has a 14" witch's hat on it. Would I be able to suspend a horn from the ceiling rather than from a crane? I am not looking for anything fancy, but don't know exactly what to look for. Any and all information is welcome.

The 14" horn is the largest you should use without some kind of support. If you want to avoid drilling holes into the case you can either use a floor standing crane or suspend it from the ceiling if you don't care about totally authentic look. Even with an attached crane you would be limited to about the size of the regular Edison Morning Glory horn. With a large floor crane or suspended from the ceiling you are pretty much unlimited from a size perspective. A really huge horn may look a bit strange on a Standard, but otherwise no problem.

Andreas

Take a look on the underside of the cabinet and look for four small screw holes. Next lift the motor board and look for evidence of a prior crane. I suspect you'll see that a crane was used years ago. If evidence proves me correct, Ron Sitko sells replacement cranes that could be installed without drilling new holes. If you go this route, buy a Edison Standard morning glory horn or any smaller flowered horn. You don't want your machine to tip over.

You could use a floor crane and use as big a horn as you can find. Historically speaking, floor cranes and the brass bell horns were obsolete by the time your D Standard was sold but you may not be too concerned about being correct. You could also hang a large horn from the ceiling but some of us phono nerds may not sleep as well if we think about it. Actually, I met a lady with a Standard B that showed no crane markings and she wanted an original horn. She had a photo showing her machine being used on a nice summer day and a large morning glory horn was hanging from a hook above the machine. The most important thing is to enjoy your Standard. Jerry Blais

Thanks for the information, I'll check the bottom of the machine when I go back home this weekend, and if it has the holes, that's the route I'll go.

There were some cranes that did not require drilling holes in the cabinet, and were clamped to the case: I believe Hawthorn & Sheble made some of that style.

I'm not sure about the Model D, but there seems to be a limit to the size of horn one can use on the Standard with the Edison cranes: too large, and it will cause the machine to tip over. After-market cranes with a substantial foot in front of the case will enable you to fit somewhat larger horns.

Bill

The model Ds generally came with the large morning glory horn. The cases were fitted with the crane foot receiver on the bottom left. The crane brace rests in a factory-made slot on the upper left. Here is my machine with a reproduction crane:
The straight morning glory horns sound very nice.

Regards,
Martin

Mine does have a receiver for a crane foot. I'll keep on the lookout for the horns and cranes mentioned. Thanks again for the help.