Love home recordings. Trombone solo by Frank Pratt. Gold Moulded records could be shaved by soaking a cotton ball or rag in lamp oil, kerosene, this amalgamates the surface of the cylinder, and then a polish with a clean cloth leaves a smooth enough surface to record on, and the surface does get quite soft. Problem is recording a lot this way will wear the recording stylus, the gold moulded records have carnauaba wax, pine tar, and copper salts that make them more durable (actually not harder, more like gummy) as gold moulded contain about .26% aluminum to brown wax .47%, the lower aluminum made the wax melt at a lower temperature so that the Gold Moulded process would work, as original brown wax was 330F to pour in the molds to 295 for Gold MOulded wax.
I got an Edison Standard from 1905 to get running. I came with about 30 black wax two minute cylinders. Some had been shaved and had home recordings on. Some were labelled Edison Blanks and seven were Edison Studio Recording. The home recordings were very weak and I wondered how they could record on the black wax cylinders. Your video show it could be done. They were apparently singing in Armenian.
As a 50-year trombonist with a music school degree in performance, and as a 35-year instrumental music teacher, I feel confident that this home recording was made of a less-than-adult student on this instrument. If the performer were in the early teen years of life, which I suspect, he/she really is fairly good. I'll bet his/her parents were rightfully proud, and this pride is exhibited in the work required to make this home recording. The solo may not be professional, but for a beginning student , it's quite good. The unwarranted negative criticism is unkind; we have all heard much worse!
I was actually thinking this might be a young person playing with his grandfather's old wax cylinder recorder. There is just no way to date it. It could have been recorded in the 40s or 50s for all we know.
From a (late 1890s) home-recorded brown wax cylinder I got from Howard Hazelcorn decades ago, a cylinder now lost, two young ladies are laughing, then the one recites, "There was a boy in our town all loaded down with tin. He came across a slot machine with 'Put A Nickel In." He tied a nickel to a string and gave the thing a jar. And pulled his nickel out again and got a free cigar!" And then they sing a capella, a ditty in honor of "...Mr. Dooley, oh, Mr. Dooley, you're the wisest man this country ever knew. Oh, Mr. Dooley, oh, Mr. Dooley, Mr. Dooley-ooly-ooly-ooly-O!" (google mr. dooley.)
Thanks for sharing the interesting comments, Reid. I have many early home recordings on brown wax cylinder (even a few on Concert size brown wax cylinder) that I'm hoping to post sometime on my channel here. I have enjoyed your video on restoring the Columbia BC Graphophone from years ago. I have a Columbia BC Graphophone in the fancy cabinet that I would love to get playing again. It just sits year after year on a record cabinet. It is complete and working but the reproducer needs the type of work you did to produce sound again.
That is quite something! This is a real gem that you got in the collection of cylinders! I agree, it sounds like "Fran Pratt", and they didn't do so great on the trombone solo.
At 6:58 I laughed so hard. I think it's pretty cool to have a one of a kind cylinder that has a story. However if I got it I would be pretty disappointed as I don't have a copy of what it's supposed to be however since you do I think it's pretty cool
The black wax actually shaves and records ok, though I have only done it once or twice because it causes greater wear on the shaving sapphire and recording sapphire than the brown wax.
I think it’s great I love all the wax cylinders I love all technology Enemies a collector I love collecting stuff I love discovering some old stuff it is great. What were the other wax cylinders that you had to get rid of with remolding
wow you know this home recording could be from that family the cylinders were from? I bet they would be interested. they did well recording on black wax as it is a lot more harder to cut than the brown. would love to hear some more if these home recordings :) hilarious and unexpected!
I would be going back to the family, with a transcription of the recording and asking if that person is still around, before it's too late. The re-recording could have been gone at any time up to the late 1950's, when tape recorders became more readily available. A youngster making the recording would be in their 70's or 80's now, if it was made later. If it was made earlier, say, around 1925, then there might still be someone around whose grandparent was the performer. The extra pedigree added to the cylinder would make it even more interesting, and potentially much more valuable to a collector.
the cylinders could be shaved down & reused ...the Edison Business phonograph was a recording machine...but when one shaved the disc, they never sounded this clear... if one didn't do it just right the audio of the original recording would bleed through...great share..thanks! I have never heard the Uncle Josh skit you had there--- ha. guess we never will...
Based on the timbre of the speaker at the beginning it sounds as if the recording might be running a trifle low. Maybe 10 -15 rpm under. I used to have a black wax Edison titled "En el Africa" a band selection. It was quite short with about an inch or more left at the end. The original owner took advantage of that to sing a bit of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." Since that would date to around 1917, it had to have been done quite a bit later than the c. 1906 cylinder.
The name sounds more like Frank Pratt. There's definitely an 'F' at the start of the name. An interesting recording indeed, but it's also a bit of a shame that they picked that particular cylinder to shave. Nonetheless, thanks for sharing your serendipitous discovery with us. 🙂👍
I agree. I only have 5 Uncle Josh cylinders in my collection of about 500 cylinders. Uncle Josh black wax/Blue Amberol cylinders seem to go for about $10-25 each, though his brown wax cylinders can go into the hundreds depending on their condition.
Uncle Josh stuff is about the most common there is
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In my vast collection of four minute Edison Blue Amberols, I have a Christmas selection, and when it ends, it sounds like a home recording comes on. It's very eerie. How can a home recording be made on a Blue Amberol? And it goes on about an inch from the end of the actual selection. I think it's like a soft singing and moaning. Who can solve this?
Uncle Josh was the signature character played by a comedian named Cal Stewart. He made innumerable cylinders and disks in the early years of recorded sound. The typical Uncle Josh record is a comic monologue in which he rambles about amusing situations he's encountered while laughing (A LOT). Uncle Josh is a "rube" who gets into all kinds of trouble visiting some big city or going about his life in his home town of Pumpkin Center. Opinions are very divided on the listenability of these records, but regardless of where one falls on that argument, if you look through any stack of records or cylinders made before 1920 you are guaranteed to find an Uncle Josh record because our ancestors LOVED them.
Love home recordings. Trombone solo by Frank Pratt. Gold Moulded records could be shaved by soaking a cotton ball or rag in lamp oil, kerosene, this amalgamates the surface of the cylinder, and then a polish with a clean cloth leaves a smooth enough surface to record on, and the surface does get quite soft. Problem is recording a lot this way will wear the recording stylus, the gold moulded records have carnauaba wax, pine tar, and copper salts that make them more durable (actually not harder, more like gummy) as gold moulded contain about .26% aluminum to brown wax .47%, the lower aluminum made the wax melt at a lower temperature so that the Gold Moulded process would work, as original brown wax was 330F to pour in the molds to 295 for Gold MOulded wax.
I got an Edison Standard from 1905 to get running. I came with about 30 black wax two minute cylinders. Some had been shaved and had home recordings on. Some were labelled Edison Blanks and seven were Edison Studio Recording. The home recordings were very weak and I wondered how they could record on the black wax cylinders. Your video show it could be done. They were apparently singing in Armenian.
As a 50-year trombonist with a music school degree in performance, and as a 35-year instrumental music teacher, I feel confident that this home recording was made of a less-than-adult student on this instrument. If the performer were in the early teen years of life, which I suspect, he/she really is fairly good. I'll bet his/her parents were rightfully proud, and this pride is exhibited in the work required to make this home recording. The solo may not be professional, but for a beginning student , it's quite good. The unwarranted negative criticism is unkind; we have all heard much worse!
I was actually thinking this might be a young person playing with his grandfather's old wax cylinder recorder. There is just no way to date it. It could have been recorded in the 40s or 50s for all we know.
Wow cool. I was under the impression that those harder “moulded” cylinders could not be used to record again… guess I was wrong. Wonderful surprise.
From a (late 1890s) home-recorded brown wax cylinder I got from Howard Hazelcorn decades ago, a cylinder now lost, two young ladies are laughing, then the one recites, "There was a boy in our town all loaded down with tin. He came across a slot machine with 'Put A Nickel In." He tied a nickel to a string and gave the thing a jar. And pulled his nickel out again and got a free cigar!" And then they sing a capella, a ditty in honor of "...Mr. Dooley, oh, Mr. Dooley, you're the wisest man this country ever knew. Oh, Mr. Dooley, oh, Mr. Dooley, Mr. Dooley-ooly-ooly-ooly-O!" (google mr. dooley.)
Thanks for sharing the interesting comments, Reid. I have many early home recordings on brown wax cylinder (even a few on Concert size brown wax cylinder) that I'm hoping to post sometime on my channel here. I have enjoyed your video on restoring the Columbia BC Graphophone from years ago. I have a Columbia BC Graphophone in the fancy cabinet that I would love to get playing again. It just sits year after year on a record cabinet. It is complete and working but the reproducer needs the type of work you did to produce sound again.
Would you happen to have a recording made of that wax cylinder before you lost it? Real shame it's gone...
The tune he’s playing is called ‘stay in your own back yard’ I’ve got a video up of the same tune done by Arthur Collins
What I heard was a very similar tune to "kentucky Babe," an old negro spiritual. I've sung it as a barbershop quartet member.
Yeah, I recognized that melody as well. Nice recording
That is quite something! This is a real gem that you got in the collection of cylinders!
I agree, it sounds like "Fran Pratt", and they didn't do so great on the trombone solo.
Graham?
At 6:58 I laughed so hard. I think it's pretty cool to have a one of a kind cylinder that has a story. However if I got it I would be pretty disappointed as I don't have a copy of what it's supposed to be however since you do I think it's pretty cool
Dude played so loud that he accidentally created the first ever recording with overdrive effect applied lol
The tune is called "Stay in your own back yard"
My grandfolks had one called Uncle Josh and the lightening rod salesman
as Uncle Josh would say, "ha ha ha ha ha ha well..."
The black wax actually shaves and records ok, though I have only done it once or twice because it causes greater wear on the shaving sapphire and recording sapphire than the brown wax.
I think it’s great I love all the wax cylinders I love all technology
Enemies a collector I love collecting stuff
I love discovering some old stuff it is great. What were the other wax cylinders that you had to get rid of with remolding
hey musicboxboy. be great to hear the lullaby of the mother singing or some other home recordings they are fascinating!
wow you know this home recording could be from that family the cylinders were from? I bet they would be interested. they did well recording on black wax as it is a lot more harder to cut than the brown. would love to hear some more if these home recordings :) hilarious and unexpected!
I would be going back to the family, with a transcription of the recording and asking if that person is still around, before it's too late. The re-recording could have been gone at any time up to the late 1950's, when tape recorders became more readily available. A youngster making the recording would be in their 70's or 80's now, if it was made later. If it was made earlier, say, around 1925, then there might still be someone around whose grandparent was the performer. The extra pedigree added to the cylinder would make it even more interesting, and potentially much more valuable to a collector.
There are ways to clear up the voice. Have you watched videos of Leon Scott’s phoneautograph from 1860? Absolutely exciting, I thought.
I think he is playing "it's a great big shame" originally sung by Gus Elen
My Grandfather recorded "Redwing" on a cylinder, which I suppose is long lost by now.
the cylinders could be shaved down & reused ...the Edison Business phonograph was a recording machine...but when one shaved the disc, they never sounded this clear... if one didn't do it just right the audio of the original recording would bleed through...great share..thanks! I have never heard the Uncle Josh skit you had there--- ha. guess we never will...
Based on the timbre of the speaker at the beginning it sounds as if the recording might be running a trifle low. Maybe 10 -15 rpm under. I used to have a black wax Edison titled "En el Africa" a band selection. It was quite short with about an inch or more left at the end. The original owner took advantage of that to sing a bit of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." Since that would date to around 1917, it had to have been done quite a bit later than the c. 1906 cylinder.
The name sounds more like Frank Pratt. There's definitely an 'F' at the start of the name.
An interesting recording indeed, but it's also a bit of a shame that they picked that particular cylinder to shave. Nonetheless, thanks for sharing your serendipitous discovery with us. 🙂👍
Wonder why they shaved a GM cylinder for recording, when (presumably) brown wax blanks were still available...
Wasn't me, I swear! I played trumpet.😎 Very interesting, Jack.
Did you ever upload a video of the lullaby? I searched your page but didn't find it. I'd love to hear it!
Atta Pup! That’s what I want to hear also!!
That tune sounded like "Kentucky Babe," an old negro spiritual. I've sung it as a barbershop quartet member.
I have always thought you could only record on brown wax. I guess I was wrong. Could the black wax be recorded with the regular recorder?
It was possible; but the black wax tended to wear down the cutting stylus faster.
Now that's what I call old school pirated songs.
Interesting video.
Can mould not be dealt with on wax cylinders or are they doomed. Seems ashame for things to be thrown away?
I have a few "uncle josh" on 78s!
cowtippingrocks me too. For me they have proven pretty common.
cowtippingrocks His Victor and Columbia 78s are somewhat common, though his Berliner 78s are rare to find.
glennmillerfan and his cylinders are rare. However all cylinders are pretty rare
I agree. I only have 5 Uncle Josh cylinders in my collection of about 500 cylinders. Uncle Josh black wax/Blue Amberol cylinders seem to go for about $10-25 each, though his brown wax cylinders can go into the hundreds depending on their condition.
glennmillerfan yes I know, however his Victors are much cheaper and a lot of the time play better
Sounded like the announcer said Fran Pratt, to me.
Forgive my ignorance but who was Uncle Josh?
It's a shame someone ruined a rare Uncle Josh record even if they did it over a hundred years ago.
Well it's still an interesting piece to have a home recording from 100 yrs
Uncle Josh stuff is about the most common there is
In my vast collection of four minute Edison Blue Amberols, I have a Christmas selection, and when it ends, it sounds like a home recording comes on. It's very eerie. How can a home recording be made on a Blue Amberol? And it goes on about an inch from the end of the actual selection. I think it's like a soft singing and moaning. Who can solve this?
Who was Uncle Josh?...forgive me for asking...
Uncle Josh was the signature character played by a comedian named Cal Stewart. He made innumerable cylinders and disks in the early years of recorded sound. The typical Uncle Josh record is a comic monologue in which he rambles about amusing situations he's encountered while laughing (A LOT). Uncle Josh is a "rube" who gets into all kinds of trouble visiting some big city or going about his life in his home town of Pumpkin Center. Opinions are very divided on the listenability of these records, but regardless of where one falls on that argument, if you look through any stack of records or cylinders made before 1920 you are guaranteed to find an Uncle Josh record because our ancestors LOVED them.
Sounds like Frantz Pratt
I have a few uncle josh weatherbee Cal Stewart
It sounds a little like "Love Lifted Me."
Sounded like "Brad Pratt" to me
Priceless! I think a better find than another Uncle Josh cylinder! And yes, he's terrible!