[Phono-L] Playing two minute wax records with an H or R

[ClockworkHome at aol.com]

IMHO - My vote would be NO, NO, and NO.
 
The effective pressure a stylus exerts on the record is a function of contact 
area.  When a record has the correct diameter stylus riding in the groove the 
weight is distributed evenly across the total contact.  To put a 4 minute 
stylus in the middle of a 2 minute groove raises the effective contact pressure 
by having a smaller contact point.  It is the same weight but on a much smaller 
area.  I have examined 2 minute records played with the wrong 4 minute stylus 
under a microscope and can see the new track cut into the wax and a path of 
compression on a 2 minute celluloid which did handle the pressure much better 
but was not completely unmarred.
 
The Diamond B has a round point contact as opposed to the elliptical contact 
area of the doorknob C and H styli.  The effective pressure per unit area on 
the recording medium is thus higher than the elliptical.  I would surmise that 
some deformation of the 2 minute groove occurs.  I may get out my microscope 
and check at some future slack time.
 
I have a number of Bacigalupi brown wax recordings that were not done with a 
pantograph copier but were individual takes.  While not great they are very 
presentable.  I took one that was not too hot and tried a Model C on it.  The 
wax was deformed with peaks being worn.  The stylus ended up with a wax build up 
on it.  When played with an Automatic the distortion was very apparent up to 
the point I quit playing with the Model C.
 
Occasionally one may find a 4 minute R that has been fitted with a 2 minute 
stylus by someone along the way.  It will play 2 minute records very well as 
will an N with a 2 minute stylus.  The bugbear of the R and S is that getting 
the swollen potmetal out of the adapter shoe is a pain when one wants to put in 
new gaskets and service the diaphragm.  A rebuilt R with a tuned up diaphragm 
and 2 minute stylus plays records very well.
 
There is one more dimension to stylus pressure problems.  A sapphire 4 minute 
stylus will flatten more quickly on celluloid than wax Amberols.  The flat 
spot will damage wax Amberols when it gets too wide.  Even the diamond stylus 
will eventually become worn and thus increase wear on even the Blue Amberols.
 
There is a reason that "modern" LP turntables strove to get the tracking 
weight down below 2 grams.  Less record wear was the goal.  Edison was no doubt 
aware of the problem when the company trimmed the weights on the O reproducers 
to a trowel shape.  Why they did not do all the O weights this way consistently 
is a mystery with an answer sitting somewhere in the Edison Site vault.
 
Kindest Wishes to All,
 
Al
 



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