Gramophone problems – need help!

[estott]

It might be possible to make this work if the back bracket was raised up higher and the angle of the soundbox corrected - at least the individual parts seem to be of good quality.

[FloridaClay]

How is the reproducer attached to the tone arm? If it's with a set screw rather than a bayonet attachment, rotate it to a lesser angle to the record and give that a try.

Clay

[estott]

How is the reproducer attached to the tone arm? If it's with a set screw rather than a bayonet attachment, rotate it to a lesser angle to the record and give that a try.

Clay

That is a European fitting- the reproducer has a throat that fits inside the arm. There is usually a screw on the throat that fits into a slot in the arm to prevent rotation, but it may be removable. Still, changing the angle will still leave the gooseneck in an odd position.

[HisMastersVoice]

It looks like the back bracket is too small, causing the tonearm to ride too close to the turntable. The U tube that the reproducer connects to should be more or less horizontal when it's in playing position.

[Sidewinder]

Ksenia

Your machine is a Parlophone, made in Germany, and is correct in all respects. The problem with the soundbox is probably that it is missing the retaining screw that ensures the soundbox remains at the correct angle. What is happening is that the needle on the record is pulling the soundbox forward out of alignment. If you remove the soundbox, or rotate it backward you will see the screw hole. Should be easy to correct.

With disc machines the needle should align with the turntable spindle.

See the pics, it makes it clearer.

[estott]

This previously posted image shows that the reproducer screw is still in place. Could it be that this was assembled from more than one Parlophone machine with parts that were not entirely compatible?

[FloridaClay]

The setup of the backs of the 2 reproducers seem different, with the second one having some sort of isolator I don't see on the first. Otherwise they look similar, though.

Clay

[Ksenia]

Hello,
Thanks for all the comments!

Ksenia

Your machine is a Parlophone, made in Germany, and is correct in all respects. The problem with the soundbox is probably that it is missing the retaining screw that ensures the soundbox remains at the correct angle. What is happening is that the needle on the record is pulling the soundbox forward out of alignment. If you remove the soundbox, or rotate it backward you will see the screw hole. Should be easy to correct.

With disc machines the needle should align with the turntable spindle.

See the pics, it makes it clearer.

Yes, everything looks like it is a Parlophone.
The retaining screw is in place (please, see the first photo). I now think the problem is caused by cracking of the wooden panel through the holes of screws holding the back bracket (second photo). The panel part above the crack is not vertical any more, which happened, apparently, due to the horn weight. This results in that the tone arm is not horizontal and the needle angle is much more than 45 degrees (third photo). This can explain also that the needle is quite far away from the turntable spindle (first photo).

[Sidewinder]

here some dimensions

[Phonofreak]

After studying this thread, here is my take on this. I think the turntable is too high, or the wrong turntable. Because I don't think the turntable is the right height, it pushes up on the reproducer causing the weird angle. Also, event though the reproducer fits onto the goose neck, I think it is too big for the machine. I think if the turn table sits lower and the correct diameter reproducer, I think your problem will be solved.
Harvey Kravitz