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I bought this Disc with pencil writing on the label listed as a “Factory Discard” What’s the story behind these discs? I also read these were Edison tone test discs and these were higher quality and used more condensite compared to what Edison sold?

Factory discards were pressings that had minor flaws and were not considered "salable". Oftentimes (iirc), Edison employees would take them home for their own use.

This might have been a test pressing, judging by the unfinished edge, though. I doubt whether it was used in the "Tone Tests".

-Bill

It is funny about those "discard" marked Edisons. Some appear to have been made too thin and some have almost no room to sit the arm down without the stylus falling off. However the sound on the ones I have are all quite good. It may have been a combination of things that caused them to reject them.

Larry

Well, I played it. It sounded like a normal Diamond Disc. I looked up the release date of this recording and it was released in 1924. Was Edison still doing tone tests in 1924? Anyway, I actually like the way piano music (heck, classical music in general) sounds on a DD Compared to a red seal victor of that time. Does anyone agree? I can’t put my finger on it, but the tone seems more “warmer” on a DD?

Your right, the Edison as he said produced a realistic sound of the instruments that the other brands rarely came close to. In fact the Acoustical records are so good toward the end that many prefer them over the electrical versions that came later.

Its funny I have been recording for you tube some electrical recordings on my Victrola 2-55 portable. Yes it has a wide range of sound and a satisfying kind of feel. But when I put on one of my good Edison disc the room came alive with sound. Its one of the reasons I sold my Credenza some years back. It did a good job but when I heard the Edison in the Same space from the same distance the Edisons sound held up way better than the Victor machine produced. Some just real about the Edison and sort of Canned from the Orthophonic. Granted the electrical era has wonderful music to play and I wouldn't want to be without it but Edison projection of sound is simply like he said, "Like Life Its Self".

I guess what I was trying to say is that the Edison sounds like the artist are playing in the next room while the other machines sound like recorded music.

larryh wrote:Your right, the Edison as he said produced a realistic sound of the instruments that the other brands rarely came close to. In fact the Acoustical records are so good toward the end that many prefer them over the electrical versions that came later.

Its funny I have been recording for you tube some electrical recordings on my Victrola 2-55 portable. Yes it has a wide range of sound and a satisfying kind of feel. But when I put on one of my good Edison disc the room came alive with sound. Its one of the reasons I sold my Credenza some years back. It did a good job but when I heard the Edison in the Same space from the same distance the Edisons sound held up way better than the Victor machine produced. Some just real about the Edison and sort of Canned from the Orthophonic. Granted the electrical era has wonderful music to play and I wouldn't want to be without it but Edison projection of sound is simply like he said, "Like Life Its Self".

I guess what I was trying to say is that the Edison sounds like the artist are playing in the next room while the other machines sound like recorded music.

For a wide variety of music play 78's, for sound quality nothing beats a Diamond Disc.

Steve

stetam wrote:

larryh wrote:Your right, the Edison as he said produced a realistic sound of the instruments that the other brands rarely came close to. In fact the Acoustical records are so good toward the end that many prefer them over the electrical versions that came later.

Its funny I have been recording for you tube some electrical recordings on my Victrola 2-55 portable. Yes it has a wide range of sound and a satisfying kind of feel. But when I put on one of my good Edison disc the room came alive with sound. Its one of the reasons I sold my Credenza some years back. It did a good job but when I heard the Edison in the Same space from the same distance the Edisons sound held up way better than the Victor machine produced. Some just real about the Edison and sort of Canned from the Orthophonic. Granted the electrical era has wonderful music to play and I wouldn't want to be without it but Edison projection of sound is simply like he said, "Like Life Its Self".

I guess what I was trying to say is that the Edison sounds like the artist are playing in the next room while the other machines sound like recorded music.

For a wide variety of music play 78's, for sound quality nothing beats a Diamond Disc.

Steve

Totally agree! For more on this topic check out this thread. http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =3&t=42665