Columbia Multiplex restoration

[PedroFono]

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.

 

[phonogfp]

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.

[RodPickett]

Out of curiosity, are your reproducers 10 cm apart to accommodate a 14 inch long cylinder?

 

And

 

What are the dimensions of the cylinders you are reproducing?