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Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:37 am
by Gramtastic
Hi, anyone know anything about this horn ? It is like a hunting horn but not as long unless some of it is missing. If it isn't I can't see what it would fit .... any ideas ??

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:59 pm
by Curt A
Possibly some sort of Tuba... like a Wagner Tuba pictured below... just guessing. Or with an earpiece attached, it could be used as a hearing aid... :roll: :lol:

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 5:18 pm
by Henry
It doesn't look to me as though the mystery horn has the right proportions or curvature to be a cut-off Wagner tuba bell. Besides, who in his right mind would do such a thing to such a specialized instrument? As a complete Wagner tuba, it's worth a lot more than a phonograph horn! You can look it up....

The Wagner tuba was developed specifically by the composer (Richard Wagner, 1813-83) to fill in the perceived gap in the tone quality between the French horn and the trombone. It is usually played in the orchestra by French horn players (note the left-hand arrangement of the rotary valve keys, as well as the mouthpiece size) in the Ring cycle of music dramas. Some other composers have used it, IIRC, but nowhere is it commonly found, played, or heard.

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 5:32 pm
by Curt A
Besides, who in his right mind would do such a thing to such a specialized instrument?

After looking at some of the hatchet jobs on eBay or other online listings, I'm not sure why you are asking that question. Who knows what motivates people to cut off cabinet legs, put electric record players into Victrolas or stuffed goats, or any of the other crazy things that have been mentioned on the forum...

I'm not saying that this horn is actually a Wagner Tuba part, but it reminds me of one and I can't picture it on any phonograph that I have ever seen, but who knows?

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:34 pm
by Henry
Curt, I like your idea that it's hearing aid. Stick that thing in your ear, and you'll never have to worry about hearing loss, ever again.... Problem solved!

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:03 pm
by tomb
Curt A wrote:Possibly some sort of Tuba... like a Wagner Tuba pictured below... just guessing. Or with an earpiece attached, it could be used as a hearing aid... :roll: :lol:
Hey what did you say I probably need new batteries in my hearing horn. Tom B :lol: :lol:

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 3:34 am
by Gramtastic
Pretty certain it's not from a musical instrument as it has a seam down it and the bell at the end is a separate piece.......

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 9:50 am
by Henry
Gramtastic wrote:Pretty certain it's not from a musical instrument as it has a seam down it and the bell at the end is a separate piece.......
That wouldn't eliminate the possibility. My Conn 88H trombone had the same kind of construction, and the joints, while skillfully done, were visibly obvious. I'm not saying that the mystery horn started life as a musical instrument!

Gramtastic, what is the diameter (in inches) of the bell across the wide end?

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 11:26 am
by Gramtastic
Hi, I am afraid it's not mine and have only seen the photo so can't give the size.

Re: Unusual Phonograph horn

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:11 am
by howardpgh
If you use those wall panels for scale (assuming they are 2 ft wide), then that horn might 3 to 4 ft long.
I wish people would put a ruler in their pictures. :roll: