ptjw wrote:alas..records from the US cost a bomb to be shipped to Singapore...!
Out of the millions of people that live in Singapore, there HAS to be a few gramophone and 78s enthusiasts.
I think if I were in your shoes, I'd first of all, scour the internet to try to locate any Jazz related forums, societies, etc., in Singapore. Serious Jazz collectors, it seems, always have a source for 78s and other types of records. If there are any local radio stations that play Jazz, it might be worthwhile to start with them for referrals.
Along this line, also check with and leave your name and number with any antiques, charity, or "used items" type shops in your area, or in the major cities nearest where you live. Many shops, even in the US, will not accept donations or consignments of old records, but
may give a referral to someone who does.
And while it's probably a long shot, you might try posting a free message in the WANTED section of your local craigslist board:
Main Page --
http://singapore.craigslist.com.sg/
Items Wanted --
http://singapore.craigslist.com.sg/wan/
When posting an ad, it's best NOT to provide personal information such as your name, phone number or address. You will be provided with an anonymous email address to which any interested parties will reply. Their message will then be forwarded to your own email address.
ptjw wrote:...the motor runs faster now compared to before the clean, but i can hear that the motor isn't turning at a constant rate, could a lack of grease be causing this problem?
i find myself having to constantly change the speed of the motor to make the music at the correct speed/pitch and it is really freaky listening to an orchestra at a slower rate than supposed to..sounds like a horror show!
If the motor is cleaned and lubricated and still slows down while a record is playing, it could be that you simply haven't wound the motor enough. I remember that it took about 25-30 turns of the crank to play a 10 inch record on my HMV 102.
If fully wound, it could be that the governor spindle is not properly mounted. Make sure that the governor, which is held in place between the two governor bearings, does not move sideways. It should be free to spin, but there should only be the tiniest amount of give when you move it length-ways in the direction of the end bearings. Too much movement and it will cause the turntable to slow down, then speed up, then slow down, etc Of course, also make sure that the leather governor foot is lubricated with a few drops of lightweight oil.)
In case you need it, here's a basic (rather generic) lubrication guide for a single spring motor --
HTH,
OF