Ger ~ You might consider the following if you have any plans at all
to use the reproducer. This is pretty important to any hope of
playing those records you've invested in.
I think you're probably aware that the reproducer (head & stylus)
alone would be almost useless to you by itself. Even if you could
affix it to some kind of swiveling arm, it will likely damage the
records, even if the stylus is in perfect condition. It would also
risk chipping or breaking off the diamond from its mount if it doesn't
have the correct loading, as it would in place on the whole mechanism.
Half (or more than half) of what enables the reproducer to work is the
way the gear-driven horn and neck move, not only right to left to play
the record, but also vertically, to maintain the correct distance
between the reproducer and record. This distance correctly loads the
tip of the stylus in the groove, applying just the right amount of
mass from the big weight on the bottom of the reproducer housing.
It's a precision-engineered system that keeps the stylus engaged with
exactly the intended amount of force AND at the same time keeps all
that mass suspended and floating (the big weight), both laterally and
vertically, to prevent damage to the stylus while its tracking.
I don't know if you caught this from a posting that appeared on this
forum earlier, but there's a gear drive hidden in the machine (it's up
above the horn, near the front of the horn), that enables all this to
happen as designed: Keeping the reproducer suspended when the record
is playing, while at the same time driving it across from right to
left, and at the same time moving the neck and horn with it, so all
the hardware moves in unison, except for the floating weight and
diamond stylus, which in this sophisticated system are enable to move
freely within a limited but precise range.
Try to make that reproducer work as part of any other system (adapted
to a Victrola or home-made, for example), and you're not going to get
good results. You also risk damaging the $125 - $150 diamond stylus,
the delicate braided cloth link that connects the tail of the stylus
bar to the diaphragm, and the diaphragm itself.
If I were you, I would go back before that woman junks the machine and
get the rest of it. From the sound of it she might even give it to
you. At the very least, get the entire playing mechanism and
measurements for where the bottom horn pivot would need to fit, if you
make a smaller, custom cabinet.
Without that, your fascination with the reproducer and records is
probably headed for trouble.
Best regards,
Andy Baron
On Dec 23, 2009, at 9:40 PM, ger wrote:
The Edison Diamond disc records are all 10" with a white paper
label. All are in the 50,000 or 51,000 range, except: 8915, 7826,
5110 and 80398. I don't have time right now to list them all with
titles and artists; 2 have a red star. 2 have "Re-Creation" on the
label. What exactly does that mean!?
Two are in very nice condition. Some have a scratch or two in the
grooves (like somebody tried the wrong needle); a few have light
scratches across; one is badly scratched; 2 or 3 look like they have
a brown hand print which reminds me of the mold I've seen on the
cylinders. Is that fixable on these, say with alcohol??
None are splitting. Only 2 or 3 have shallow chips on the
edge...none extending into the grooves. None are warped.
**What are the numbers on the lower part (edge) of the label (like
8696 and 8695) for?
**Also, there are scribed numbers in the plastic. Are they like the
cylinders, showing which "take," or something else??
I took a flying leap ;) and bought the 15 records and the reproducer
head too. I left the messed up rest...the owner seemed happy. I made
an offer for these (well below asking) and she took it. :) I'm
guessing that she'll probably junk the rest...maybe not. If it was
not so heavy, I would have taken the whole machine to muck around
with. But I just could not handle it.
Happy, peaceful and safe Holidays to all!
I will be back on Friday or Saturday and hopefully can work up a
list then.
Thanks again,
Ger
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