The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For several years I have suggested woodgraining when repainting a Cygnet horn. It's my opinion but a repainted black Cygnet is just that, a black horn. But a wood grained horn can be a centerpiece of a collection. This horn was painted by Gregg Cline but I believe it's worth the effort. I'd appreciate other opinions whether in agreement or not. Of course it would be cheaper to paint a horn black. Thanks, Jerry B.

If the paint on the horn is toast, I see no problem repainting with a wood grain finish. If the paint needs some touching up, I would leave it black.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey, I couldn't agree more. This horn had two colors of dreadful paint, one gold and the other silver. Underneath those two were traces of woodgraining. If it had been black originally, I would still have it wood grained. A repainted horn will always been a repainted horn. Jerry

Woodgrained cygnets are just so beautiful that it only makes sense to go that route if the original paint is shot.

Jerry,Could you give us a peek at the Neck and the Back of the horn? I'm just curious.
Thanks.
Jim.

I had one also repainted in oak as the finish was shot. I love it. It was done by Shenandoah . This spring I wat to purchase a wood reproduction from the man in Peru. Question what color should the elbow be painted. ??????? Tom B

Here are a few more photos. Jerry

Jerry- What color is the inside of the neck? Don't know how one could woodgrain that.

Looks terrible Jerry. I think you should just get another black one and send that wood grained one to me Seriously, it's really a beautiful horn and I would go that route if I had a horn that needed repainted. Jan

Jerry- What color is the inside of the neck? Don't know how one could woodgrain that.

George's question brings up a good point. I believe the good grained horns were quickly painted. They give the illusion of wood. Original wood grained horns are grained down the neck about as far as you can see. The quality of wood grained dashboards and trim in autos in the 1940's appears more like exotic woods than an Edison horn. Antique auto clubs could probably point a phono collector towards someone that could replicate the paint on a Cygnet. Jerry B.