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  1. Today
  2. Hi, How are you? Would you sell the political Speeches? Thank you Steve
  3. phonogfp

    Columbia Multiplex restoration

    Pedro, This is one of the most significant restorations undertaken in our field. Since no complete Multiplex Grand is known to have survived into the 21st century, you're essentially reconstructing this groundbreaking apparatus based on the relatively few clues available. Much like completing a puzzle missing many of its pieces. Your progress thus far looks impressive. Best of luck as you continue to bring the Multiplex Grand back to life. George P.
  4. Hi all, As some already know, I'm currently working on the restoration of the 1900 Columbia Multiplex prototype. I've been asked to reproduce his famous 3 reproducer carriage for recording and reproducing and to cast 30 cylinders for it. Its current owner sent me the carriage of the 2 reproducer prototype, the single reproducer carriage ofm the 1900 version and the frame of the carriage of the 1904 version to study them and make blueprints. So far, what I've discovered is way beyond my expectations. These carriages hide multitude of details that prove that Columbia engineers just didn't made a 3 reproducer gramophone but something much more sophisticated in terms of sound. The challenge will be to decipher all those hints and fill the gaps where the information is missing. I'm planning to write a detailed article of the restoration process, cast of the cylinders and test of the beast but, until then, you will have to content yourselves just watching the pictures of the process. Feel free to ask questions. I will gladly answer them. Hi all, As some of you already know, I’m currently working on the restoration of the 1900 Columbia Multiplex prototype. I’ve been commissioned to reproduce its famous three-reproducer carriage, designed for both recording and reproducing, as well as to cast 30 cylinders for it. The current owner sent me the carriage from the two-reproducer prototype, the single-reproducer carriage from the 1900 version, and the carriage frame from the 1904 version, so that I can study them and produce detailed drawings. So far, what I’ve discovered has gone far beyond my expectations. These carriages are full of fascinating details that suggest that Columbia’s engineers were not simply trying to build a gramophone with three reproducers. They were developing something far more sophisticated, particularly when it comes to the way the sound was intended to be reproduced. The real challenge now will be to decipher all these clues and fill in the gaps where information is missing. I’m planning to write a detailed article about the entire restoration process, the casting of the cylinders, and, of course, the final testing of this beast but until then, you’ll have to content yourselves with watching the pictures of the process! Feel free to ask any questions. I’ll be very happy to answer them.
  5. Wow! I've been interested in this for years. I always hoped to someday hear an Edison 2-minute Blue Amberol from the Panama Canal replica. Jim Nichol
  6. Yesterday
  7. Perfect! Many thanks, Rod!
  8. Three of the field’s leading collectors and researchers have teamed to produce the definitive Indestructible cylinderography. Between them, they have personally inspected and auditioned more than 95% of Indestructible’s known output to produce the most comprehensive study to date. Here’s What’s New in the Third Edition: • All confirmed matrix numbers and takes • Numerous previously undocumented takes, alternate versions, and remakes • Expanded historical introduction, including newly uncovered details of the Lambert-to-Indestructible transition and Indestructible’s British operations • New user’s guide, including a detailed explanation of Indestructible’s complex matrix series, take indicators, mold markings, and use of colored celluloid • Indestructible ephemera section — Vintage advertisements, photos, box styles, and more • Expanded accompaniment details, medley contents, and composer/show credits To download, visit the Mainspring Press website at https://mainspringpress.org/ . Like all Mainspring online publications, "Indestructible Cylinders" is in PDF format and free to download for personal, non-commercial use.
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  9. RodPickett

    Brunswick radio tone test record (1929)

    Guests can now view attachments. MP3 and WAV files both attached so that Safari users can listen.
  10. Three of the field’s leading collectors and researchers have teamed to produce the definitive Indestructible cylinderography. Between them, they have personally inspected and auditioned more than 95% of Indestructible’s known output to produce the most comprehensive study to date. Here’s What’s New in the Third Edition: • All confirmed matrix numbers and takes • Numerous previously undocumented takes, alternate versions, and remakes • Expanded historical introduction, including newly uncovered details of the Lambert-to-Indestructible transition and Indestructible’s British operations • New user’s guide, including a detailed explanation of Indestructible’s complex matrix series, take indicators, mold markings, and use of colored celluloid • Indestructible ephemera section — Vintage advertisements, photos, box styles, and more • Expanded accompaniment details, medley contents, and composer/show credits To download, visit the Mainspring Press website at http://www.mainspringpress.org. Like all Mainspring online publications, "Indestructible Cylinders" is in PDF format and free to download for personal, non-commercial use.
      • 1
      • Like
  11. Jeff238

    Brunswick radio tone test record (1929)

    I just noticed that the files won't play unless I am logged in to the forum. I also noticed that although I uploaded the audio as wav files they have been downconverted to mp3. I have notifies Aaron of these issues.
  12. mainspringpress

    Record Cleaning and Sleeves Replacement

    Be very careful when cleaning Edison Diamond Discs. Wetting the edges can cause the fibrous cores to swell and crack the playing surfaces. Edison warned against using water on Diamond Discs (for good reason!), instead recommending a soft cloth moistened with alcohol. Alcohol will not harm the phenolic resin used for Diamond Disc playing surfaces, but it will do major damage to regular shellac pressings, so stick with the above recommendations for those.
  13. That's wonderful -- thank you so much! What a great service to the collecting community.
  14. We've recently updated all of the Mainspring Press online discographies and cylinderographies - Twenty titles, including Leeds & Catlin, International Record Co. (Excelsior, et al.), American Record Co., Keen-O-Phone / Imperial / Rex, Pathe / Perfect, Emerson, Olympic, Black Swan, Edison Two- and Four-Minute Cylinders, and Ragtime on Records 1894-1950. All are in PDF format and are free to download for personal, non-commercial use. Visit the Mainspring Press website (www.mainspringpress.org) and click the "Mainspring Press E-Book" link to get started. Enjoy!
  15. I’m offering an interesting as-found Edison cylinder phonograph collection for sale. I’m hoping it will find its way to an Edison collector who will appreciate the history and originality of the group. Included: • Antique Edison cylinder phonograph with wooden cabinet and original lid • Large black metal Edison-style horn • Edison Model H reproducer • 20 cylinder records and original tubes/lids • Edison Gold Moulded Records • Edison Amberol 4-minute records • Oxford Indestructible Cylinder Records • Numerous original Edison cardboard tubes and labeled lids Some of the cylinders have identifiable titles/numbers, including: • Edison Amberol No. 415 – “Moonlight in Jungleland” – Collins & Harlan – 4 Min. • Edison Record No. 10389 – “Ogallala” – Billy Murray & Chorus • Edison cylinder No. 3890 (label is damaged but number/title information remains partially visible) The phonograph has an Edison Model H reproducer and appears to retain a substantial amount of its original mechanism. I have not restored, refinished, polished or modified it. Condition: As-found. The cabinet and metalwork show normal age, wear and dirt. The machine has not been professionally serviced or tested by me, and I have not played the cylinders. I am particularly interested in hearing from someone knowledgeable about Edison cylinder machines and records. I would welcome identification of the machine and any information collectors may have about the particular cylinders included. Location: Salem, New Hampshire Sale: Prefer to sell the phonograph, horn and cylinders as one collection. I have photographs available showing the machine, horn, Model H reproducer, patent plate/mechanism and individual cylinders/tubes. I can provide additional close-ups of serial numbers, labels and mechanisms to serious buyers. Private messages welcome. I’m not an Edison specialist, so if I have misidentified any part of the machine or records, I would genuinely appreciate being corrected.
  16. Last week
  17. Thanks, melvind. I don't want to switch to Chrome! . I got enough Google in my life already.
  18. melvind

    Brunswick radio tone test record (1929)

    They show up fine in Chrome, but in Safai the error shows up. I'm not sure what that might be. I'll pass it on to the tech guys.
  19. The sound files posted by Jeff238 don't open on my iMac. It just says "Error" on both tracks.
  20. I will pay handsomely for a copy of Indian War Dance on Lambert #1019. Thanks! George P.
  21. RodPickett

    Brunswick radio tone test record (1929)

    And not perfected. In this thread and the associated LINK for the 1928 radio broadcasts: https://forum.antiquephono.org/topic/2460-congressional-medal-of-honor-blue-amberol-ediphone-cylinders/ cylinder 1-2 has a snippet of a song from being played from the radio station, presumably, before they switched to the Congressional Award broadcast. They left the song-snippet on the BA.
  22. Continuing with the theme of the dealer demonstration records, from May 4, 1929 here is the Brunswick radio broadcast tone test record. This record is interesting in that on Side 1 we have an actual direct line recording of a live radio broadcast. It only runs a little over four minutes but transcriptions of live broadcasts from this period are scarce. Side 2 of the record features the same broadcast as received by a Brunswick radio receiver. I would imagine that the Brunswick engineers would have adjusted and tuned this radio for its best performance, but the reproduction is not really comparable to the direct line recording on Side 1. The frequency response limitations are obvious as well as a few noise bursts and what sounds like a heterodyne whistle near the end of the recording. Perhaps when the dealer demonstrated this record the differences were not so obvious as it would have been played on a Brunswick Panatrope phonograph of 1929. As good as these machines were they are not up to modern equipment standards. Here is a YouTube video (not mine) of a restored Panatrope Model 31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4GKK2PCwJs I hope you find this peek into 1929 technology interesting. Various Artists - Radio Tone Test No. 1 Direct.mp3 Various Artists - XE29768 From radio reciever.mp3 These next two audio files are in WAV format which will not render in Apple Safari. Please use an alternate browser on iOS or play MP3's above. VariousArtists-XE29767Directrecording.wav.a817ae938311f847e6e6d7541e481166.wav VariousArtists-RadioToneTestNo.2ThroughBrunswickRadioReceiver.wav.01d78709cc32944774bb3dda3e0ca907.wav
  23. On October 20, 1928, Thomas Alva Edison was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The ceremony took place at the Edison Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. Dignitaries who spoke that day included Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon (who presented the medal), Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy Ronald lan Campbell (who presented Edison with the original phonograph loaned since 1880 to the South Kensington Museum), (cylinder 3-2), Dr. John Grier Hibben (President of Princeton University) and Edison himself. (Source 78rpm.com) Seeking additional contributions. This LINK will render a “directory-tree-like-structure” allowing the viewer to “point-and-click” for review and / or download.
  24. Henry

    RCA Victor Radiotron Doll

    Excellent images! I'm convinced that they're by Parrish, alright.
  25. Tinfoilphono

    Columbia Type AA Graphophone

    As many of you know, I've been collaborating with Chuck Azzalina for several months trying to compile a list of Type AA serial numbers to see if we can find some meaningful information. We're up to 50 now, so it's slowly starting to take shape. I am attaching a summary of what we have so far and would be interested in your own insight. As can be seen, there are some anomalies, such as an award decal on 701222, long before any appear on others. This sort of thing might well just be an example of a case or other part being swapped out sometime in the past 125 years. I also still find it very peculiar that there is such a large gap between 709775 and 711975, when other numbers seem to be spread fairly evenly. Not a single machine in the 710000 range has turned up. If there is anyone reading this who has a Type AA and hasn't shared information, we would certainly appreciate hearing from you. The more data we can get, the better we can understand the evolution of this fascinating little machine.
  26. melvind

    RCA Victor Radiotron Doll

    I believe at least the radioton guy was based on Maxfield Parish art. Here are some images of what appear to be Maxfield Parish art done for RCA Radiotron. I don't own these ads and don't remember where I found them, but I sure do like them.
  27. Jerry

    Top 10 Phonograph Repairers

    It would help to know where you're located. We don't exactly need your address, but maybe state, or city, or province?
  28. Rischellowner

    Top 10 Phonograph Repairers

    My Rishell has not functioned since I bought it from a local farmer a few years ago. Where can I send the operational parts to be repaired?
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