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Post by MTPhono on Jan 20, 2009 21:30:54 GMT -6
I love unusual phono horns. One of my favorites is the self-supporting cygnet horn, of which I have only seen one in person. I love polished brass, anything wood (of course), aluminum horns are cool and of course glass horns. There are some many interesting and unusual horn designs! If you happen to have interesting examples, show 'em, here! I have even seen internal horns (I am thinking of a Standard large spindle machine) that have beautifully hand painted examples. They are just too hard to capture in photographs. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Post by 3victrolas on Jan 20, 2009 21:46:47 GMT -6
I like the blue glass horn!
I've heard cylinder machines w/ wood horns & metal but not glass. How does a glass horn affect the sound?
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 21, 2009 0:29:19 GMT -6
Hi Sharon
I think the idea was to create a brighter sounding horn, which they are. The problem with these examples (Pathe Gaulois) is that the reproducers don't play that well and the motors are pretty noisy so the overall listening experience is less than satisfying.
The larger clear glass horn (not attached to a machine) I use on an Edison Banner Home and it sounds pretty good.
Given the frequency response of these setups, the material of the horn is barely discernable (if at all). It's all about the looks with these horns.
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Post by phonogfp on Jan 21, 2009 16:08:24 GMT -6
I love unusual phono horns. One of my favorites is the self-supporting cygnet horn, of which I have only seen one in person. I love polished brass, anything wood (of course), aluminum horns are cool and of course glass horns. There are some many interesting and unusual horn designs! If you happen to have interesting examples, show 'em, here! Scott, I'm interested in horns myself, and have a few interesting ones, I think. I'm not sure what you mean by a self-supporting cygnet horn, unless it's the "Ideal Self-Supporting Aluminum Horn." There's one in the photo below; painted blue. And for yards of polished brass, it's tough to outdo a Hawthorne & Sheble 54" exhibition horn; shown below mounted to a Type "BC" Graphophone. Good topic! George P.
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 21, 2009 16:47:27 GMT -6
Very cool George! That is EXACTLY the horn I was talking about. I had forgotten that you had one. There is one on the West Coast too that I saw in person last summer. Those are so exceedingly cool.
This is exactly what I would like to see more of....interesting horns!
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Post by phonogfp on Jan 21, 2009 18:11:00 GMT -6
Scott, Here's what I consider a nice internal horn, as seen on an Edison A-150 with its grille removed. George P.
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 21, 2009 18:39:01 GMT -6
Here are 3 with flowers. I like the Searchlight horn on the left for it's unusual "petunia" flower design...
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Post by phonogfp on Jan 21, 2009 20:44:50 GMT -6
Schweg,
Oh, that Searchlight horn is a beauty! They so seldom survive with good paint... Just a wonderful decoration - so different from anything else of the time. The middle horn looks like a Standard Metal Manufacturing Company product. Is the hanger marked? And I'm partial to the green Tea Tray Company horn with the red cabbage roses - an unusual combination. I have one like it, but I your roses are a bit smaller; more delicate. Very nice! Three beauties...
George P.
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 21, 2009 22:53:10 GMT -6
Steve,
How cool is that Searchlight horn? I've never seen a Searchlight with that pattern. It's wild!!!
And do I see a Stollwerck too? And an original tinfoil??? Who cares about horns...let's switch the talk to interesting machines.
That's a very nice display of the three horns. Impressive to say the least.
George,
That's exactly what I am talking about re: painted horns. Even the vertical support is painted. Can you imagine being the horn painter? It must have been tedious but they did a great job.
Thanks for the examples. Scott
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 22, 2009 8:57:30 GMT -6
Steve, At first I thought the searchlight was a random wash of firery reds but when you study it it does take on a petaled flower design. A very BIG flower. Wonderful!
George, Is the weight of the self mounted horn even or do you find that it is slightly heavy to the rear. I would think that it's center should rest on top of the drive screw or it would create drag? Does it play across the record well?
Great photo of heaven... again!
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 22, 2009 14:52:40 GMT -6
Here's a few more: A 3'+ craftsman made North American era horn. A 36" aluminum Columbia BC horn. This horn can't weigh 6oz yet is huge! And my Searchlight horn (all original paint).
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Post by phonogfp on Jan 22, 2009 16:38:58 GMT -6
Moo,
The "Ideal" horn perfectly balanced and just perches on the carriage with no drag at all. Like Scott's aluminum "BC" horn shown above, the "Ideal" weighs only a few ounces. When held in your hands, it's eerily light - like holding a giant potato chip. The aluminum was rolled out quite thin - - it's amazing that any have survived.
It also sounds quite good - much like an Edison Cygnet.
George P.
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 22, 2009 16:39:13 GMT -6
No wonder you want a BC with that nice shiney horn! I want you to get one too now!
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Post by phonogfp on Jan 22, 2009 16:40:42 GMT -6
Scott,
Wow - another beautiful Searchlight horn! Original paint on a Searchlight seldom looks THAT good!
George P.
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 22, 2009 16:50:06 GMT -6
GFP -
In person the horn certainly doesn't look perfect but it looks quite good. The paint is a very rich red with light gold lines. It is dirty but I don't want to apply any cleaner to it for fear of damaging it.
Do you have any idea what I should clean it with?
Thanks, Scott
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