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I got message from Russia. They ask me to help. They have couple of hundred wax cylinders with recordings made during ethnographical expedition in Siberia in 1928-29.
They want to record them and bought Columbia phonograph. But I think it is recorder, not reproducer they have in phonograph.
What is the best way for them to listen and record these cylinders?

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Kalash,

I think the best and safest way to play and re-record them would be with a modern set-up. I believe a modern electric stylus can be rigged to fit a cylinder player's carriage so direct recordings can be made. Anyone else have any more solid info for Kalash?

Regards,
John

The machine is an 1899 model Type "Q" Graphophone, and it has its original reproducer so it will play cylinder recordings. The "Q" however is not a particularly steady-playing machine, nor is it a quiet machine. If the cylinders to be played are brown wax like the one shown, a better choice of period machine would be an Edison "Triumph" with either an Automatic reproducer or a Model B reproducer; better yet, use an electrical pickup such an an "Owl."

John's idea of using a modern apparatus such as an Archeophone would be the best solution.

George P.

phonogfp wrote: an Edison "Triumph" with either an Automatic reproducer or a Model B reproducer; better yet, use an electrical pickup such an an "Owl."

What is it "Automatic reproducer" and where can I get "Owl" pickup?

kalash wrote:

phonogfp wrote: an Edison "Triumph" with either an Automatic reproducer or a Model B reproducer; better yet, use an electrical pickup such an an "Owl."

What is it "Automatic reproducer" and where can I get "Owl" pickup?

Kalash,

Scroll to the bottom of the page HERE for an description of an Owl.

Regards,
John

Thanks, John, for the "Owl" description. There are other electrical pickups available that may be worse, as good, or better than an "Owl." I don't own any, so cannot make a recommendation.

The "Automatic" reproducer was commonly supplied with Edison Phonographs until 1902. Unfortunately, they command several hundred dollars today, but a Model B will work just as well and can be had for more reasonable prices. Both reproducers use a ball stylus that is much easier on wax records.

Note: Don't confuse the Model B reproducer with the later Diamond B reproducer! You want the earlier Model B!

George P.

phonogfp wrote: You want the earlier Model B!

George P.

How about Model C, will it work?

A Model C will work, but its chisel-shaped stylus exerts more pounds-per-inch than a ball stylus. For softer brown wax cylinders, use of the Model C may (and I stress MAY) result in increased wear to the cylinders. If these records are of value, I would invest in a Model B - - they are not rare nor expensive.

George P.

If I got you right on this and they want to transfer these cylinders, it is certainly not a good idea to use an old phonograph for this. All the existing imperfections of these recordings - and these are, technically, pretty much like poor home recordings - will add up with the flaws of the phonograph.

Have a look Christer Hamp's Phonograph Makers' Pages, it's full of ideas of how to accomplish a professional electric output for cylinder records.