Columbia BI Sterling Analyzing reproducer vs. bayonet mount?

[SteveM]

Anyone ever replace their Analyzing reproducer tonearms with bayonet-mount ones? I might want to explore this, if I can't make any headway with my current setup.

My two Analyzing reproducers are, plain and simple, hurting my ears (they've been rebuilt within the past year) no matter what record I put on, and no matter what tone the needle is. Might some needle bar adjustment help with that?

I consider them to be so harsh sounding (compared to my HMV 102s) as to be nearly unlistenable. They do cut through a crowded room easily, but for one-on-one listening, I just can't take it Lots of overtones that just eat into my brain.

Nobody else complains about it, but maybe I'm just spoiled by years of listening only to the highly musical tone of my HMV 102s. I'd like to try and get a little closer to those, though, if I could.

[Phonofreak]

A later Columbia bayonet reproducer will not work on your BI. First it is wrong and won't fit. I would rebuild the reproducer again. Disassemble the whole reproducer. Clean all the crud off of the inside, springs, screws, needle bar. etc. The mica might be bad, so you might want to replace that. Since you have a basic knowledge of rebuilding a reproducer, that's why I suggest you do that. Eric Reiss's book, the Complete Talking Machine goes over, step by step on this subject. The ideal, final result is making a "pucking" sound when you rub your finger over the needle bar screw.
Harvey Kravitz

[MicaMonster]

The Columbia analyzing reproducer is a superior performer. Four things are important. The condition of the diaphragm, the balance fulcrum pressure, THE CORRECT GASKETS, and a supple mounting gasket. I can rebuild this for you and correct whatever is wrong. PM me

[SteveM]

Thanks gents.

These two were rebuilt by Tim Fabrizio last December and he told me he obsessed over them. Everything is sparkling clean and new ... diaphragms, gaskets ... and he said he tweaked them slightly to be able to handle the electrics that I tend to play. I'm not quite ready to give up on the work that he did.

Tim and I discussed the needle bar adjustment screws and I'm forgetting now what the outcome of that discussion was. Should tightness of these affect volume? What I'm experiencing, the headaches I'm getting, is probably most akin to "blasting" (even on my oldest, although clean, acoustic recordings).

As far as bayonet-mounted option, I'm not sure what I'm thinking of. There was a different reproducer on later BIs ... were they also married to the tonearm like the Analyzing? From photos I've seen, they looked to be bayonet mount.

In short, these rebuilds (of the total BI machines (2)) are still not paid off so I'm left to my own devices here.

[Phonofreak]

Since you bought this machine from Tim Fabrizio, I would contact him again about the adjustments. If necessary, I would send the reproducers back to him for correction. I have done business with Tim for well over 25 years, and he is the most honest dealer around. He has the highest business ethics, and stands by his work. I play electrically cut records on my early front and rear mount Columbia machines with no problems.
Harvey Kravitz

[SteveM]

Tim is absolutely a true 100% professional, a gentleman and a scholar. These two BIs he did for me are the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and we were in constant contact as the rebuilds progressed. I'm sure that I probably can just slightly tweak something on my end (needle bar screws?) and be totally ok.

Plus I have bookings and can't really be without my babies right now.

I'll drop him a line.