The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is my Edison Concert Phonograph playing Marching thru Georgia (Columbia Record) I love the announcement.....

Hope you enjoy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuu6xMRvFsQ[/youtube]

That was a great video. Nice machine,too. It sure plays loud. Thanks for sharing it.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks Harvey,

My understanding is that the large Concert records allow an increased volume for playing in large CONCERT halls etc. I'm not sure how that works, but it is definetely my loudest playing machine.. Even with the small horn that I have on it.

I imagine with a larger horn it may be louder and not as harsh sounding, but I haven't tried it yet.

A larger horn will indeed reduce harshness, and you'll hear lower registers (such as they are) that a small horn cannot develop. The reproduction can't be "louder" since a horn cannot create energy, but the sound will be fuller. I think you'll be pleased.

George P.

Flvice wrote:Thanks Harvey,

My understanding is that the large Concert records allow an increased volume for playing in large CONCERT halls etc. I'm not sure how that works, but it is definetely my loudest playing machine.. Even with the small horn that I have on it.

I imagine with a larger horn it may be louder and not as harsh sounding, but I haven't tried it yet.

You'd definitely get a better bass with a large horn....

The Concert (following the lead of the Columbia "Graphophone Grand") used the higher surface speed of the 5" cylinders for better reproduction - the sound waves in the groove were spaced farther apart, and hence more sonic detail could be recorded. Both Columbia and Edison used them originally as pantograph masters, to get the best quality for their regular cylinders.

Later on, they switched to higher recording speeds and harder 'wax' for moulded cylinders, so the 5" records became obsolete...

-Bill