Columbia BNW, Standard Talking Machine - Poor Sound Quality

[donniej]

I just received this "Standard Talking Machine Model A", which the seller claims it's from 1909. Looking at Columbias, it's identical to a BNW except that it has only one spring. I swapped out the spindle and turn table with those off a Columbia, so it now fits standard size records. The motor was lubed and the diaphragm and reproducer gaskets replaced (using the same tubing as a Victrola Exhibition).

It runs GREAT but doesn't sound great. Yes, I'm using a known-good record and new needles The bass sounds pretty good but high notes are shrill and human voice is very raspy and hard to understand.
The only thing that didn't seem 100% "normal" wile working on it was that the diapragm seems to be a bit closer to the body of the reproducer than other reproducers that I've rebuilt. The tubing also doesn't seem to be as tight a fit as in other reproducers.

Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Phonofreak]

What type of reproducer does it have? Is it the earlier Analyzing one with the lever or the later one with the thumbscrew and bayonet fitting? After you rebuild the reproducer, make sure the needle bar screws are snug, but not too tight. If they are too tight, then the needle bar will not allow the diaphragm to flex. If it is the later, bayonet type reproducer, make sure the pivot points are snug, but not to tight. The best way to tell is snap tour finger on the thumb-screw or the lever. If it makes a "pucking" sound, then the reproducer is live and should play good.
Harvey Kravitz

[donniej]

The reproducer is partially built onto the to e arm.

[OrthoSean]

If my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, the mica looks either bubbled or flaking. I'd replace that. You also may want to put new gaskets in even though these look new. I can see a spot where there's a gap and you want a seal. Harvey is right about the screws in the front of the needle bar too. If they're too tight, it won't sound right. You can loosen them up by trial and error until you get clean and bright sound after replacing the mica and gaskets. These sound pretty good when rebuilt and they're not very difficult to tweak once you have everything as it should be.

Hope this helps,
Sean

[donniej]

You were right Sean, there was a gap. Shifting the diaphragm into the gasket solved the problem.
The diaphragm that was on it was destroyed, this one is just temporary.

Thank you guys!

[donniej]

So I finally found the correct sized gasket and replaced the diaphragm but sound quality isn't very good. A video is attached, an Enrico Caurso on an "Opera Disc Company" record, with a fresh soft tone needle.
Any input would be appreciated.

[Lucius1958]

Have you replaced the seal between the reproducer and tone arm as well?

Bill

[donniej]

Hi Bill,
No, I haven't. It seems pretty pliable and I didn't know replacements were available. Do you know where to find them?

[Edisone]

Some reproducers used 2 different-sized gaskets. I wonder if this is the case here. BUT - now that I have heard your sample, I think that's about all you can expect without replacing the rubber parts. .

[MicaMonster]

Each of the three screws that attaches it also receives a rubber cup to insulate it from the tonearm. The rubber currently being used on these is still too hard. If you send this to me with the arm, I can inject a gasket into it, and also adjust the tension on the springs, and install the correct diameter gasket material. These do not take the thin white rubber that a victor exhibition takes. This style of Columbia reproducer is actually very good sounding, and is very underrated, because it really isn't understood.