Re: [ARSCLIST] looking for advice on cylinders

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Ms. Stinson:

Thanks for this very interesting post.

Question -- do the new laser-scan methods have a way to focus through or
compensate for mold?

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Stinson" <Ststinso@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] looking for advice on cylinders


> Okeh...go no further! Mould actually eats the wax compound that
> "wax cylinders" are made from! If you are fortunate, the cylinders
> won't be too badly damaged, and will be playable (albeit noisy)
> after the mould has been removed. I'm sure others on this list are
> more qualified than I to advise on the cleaning agents and
> procedure, though.
>
> I would point out one thing here that we have learned over the years -
> it isn't really helpful to remove the mould, even if you can.  Yes, the
> presence of the inactive mould makes  the recording noisy to play back,
> but removing the mould leaves pits and other holes that makes playback
> less attractive.  We concluded that it's better to leave it alone.
>
> Sue
>
>
> Also, if you have an old Edison (or other) cylinder machine, it
> would be a very good idea to get it professionally cleaned
> and lubricated, Like any mechanical device, the machines tend
> to collect dust and dirt, and lubricants harden or deteriorate
> with age. There should be a professional in your area who can
> handle this task.
>
> Steven C. Barr
>
> Susan T Stinson, Curator
> Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive
> Syracuse University Library
> 222 Waverly Avenue
> Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
> 315-443-3477 / fax 443-4866