Brunswick BR-260 phonograph playing Diamond Disc record

[chagall56]

I have a Brunswick similar to this. It is a BR-60 model with a Radiola Superheterodyne radio that requires batteries. It has the Ultona reproducer like yours without the Pathe stylus, so I think the year of these phonos would be about 1924 or 25. Mine has a very mellow sound that is very pleasant to the ear.

[edisonphonographs]

Do you also have the pathe stylus on this one? I have found the stylus for sale for around $50.00, but the stylus casues much less wear to records than steel needles cause to 78's and you do not have to change the stylus. This machine sounds very nice.

[Phonophan79]

There is no Pathe... not the elusive triple head Ultona. ;-)

[albanybeardguy]

Allowing for the tracking error this sounds really good- possibly just as good as an Edison.

[riqzster]

The Brunswick Ultona was the best of the competition for playing Edison discs, and the only one that did not damage the groove. But the Edison Diamond Disc machine was best. Brunswick may SEEM as good because their mica diaphragm does not petrify with age as does the cork-and-rice-paper diaphragm used by Edison. When new, the Edison was way ahead of Brunswick. Edison publicly staged side-by-side comparisons of his machine with live artists, and also with the Brunswick playing his records.

[riqzster]

I can't read the label -- isn't that Henry Burr?

[Phonophan79]

Lewis James (tenor with orchestra, Disc #51214-R) ... I no longer have this machine, but I will try to post this song for you.

[riqzster]

That makes sense -- sounds a lot like Henry Burr, only stronger. I think the freelancers sounded best. I like Caruso, but I prefer Henry Burr (nice little poem there). So why do you no longer have that machine? Well, thanks for you kind responses.

[riqzster]

Я с нетерпением жду слышать тот диск.

Sorry, the way I've been russian around I couldn't help myself.

[riqzster]

The sound box is properly set for the Edison position, but the tone arm is not. For Edison, the tone arm is to be pulled forward all the way. In this video the record is being played with a tracking error that compromises the compliance enough to cause minor, but cumulative, damage to the vertical undulations. The counterweight appears to be set correctly (all the way back). The weight should only be moved forward for lateral cuts, but I'd refrain from the latter unless absolutely necessary.

[Phonophan79]

riqzster - Thanks for the info. I made this video in the first day or two that I got the machine and have since learned that you are correct. I do slide the tone arm out when playing Diamond Discs now.

[riqzster]

Hello Phonophan79. Hey, now that you know how to work that rebellious child, I wonder if you would do me a HUGE favor. Would you consider playing that record in its entirety, with a stationary microphone in front of the machine facing the horn, and allow recording of the clip?

[Gramophones]

what kind of tone arm is this

Gramophones 24.01.2008

[Phonophan79]

This is brass and aluminum Ultona soundbox with a brass tonearm. (It rotates from one position to another to play Edison Diamond Discs and standard Victrola 78's.)

[gramophoneshane]

What a way cool machine!It sounds fantastic (like all Brunnies)I hope thats a diamond needle your using ;)