Black / Shellac Dust On Needle After Playing, Tried Everything

[OrthoFan]

I'm not sure what sidewinder had in mind, but I was thinking of a video that would basically show the sound quality of your gramophone when playing a record--preferably the one from the 1940s. If it sounds well balanced -- not shrill or blasting -- the tension is probably okay.

In the meantime, I'm trying to hunt down the instructions for adjusting the needle bar tension I posted on this forum several years ago in case it's needed.

OrthoFan

[jamiegramo]

Who is in Bedford? Soundgen.

Yes

[OddRomanian]

I'm not sure what sidewinder had in mind, but I was thinking of a video that would basically show the sound quality of your gramophone when playing a record--preferably the one from the 1940s. If it sounds well balanced -- not shrill or blasting -- the tension is probably okay.

In the meantime, I'm trying to hunt down the instructions for adjusting the needle bar tension I posted on this forum several years ago in case it's needed.

OrthoFan

I surely can do that, but It'll have to wait until morning to not wake up half the apartment building, since It's 1:30 a.m.

Anyhow, I can say with confidence that all my records sound wonderful, even my latest 1954 one, no blasting at all!

I'm very confused on what the problem could be anymore if It's not the needle bar.

Thank you!

[OddRomanian]

can you please post a picture of the needle actually playing on the record

I'm sorry for taking such a long time but here It is, three records just in case:

https://youtu.be/rld5t0Ocw_U?t=0&si=2Gw6_skHh7S21BrI

[OddRomanian]

I'm not sure what sidewinder had in mind, but I was thinking of a video that would basically show the sound quality of your gramophone when playing a record--preferably the one from the 1940s. If it sounds well balanced -- not shrill or blasting -- the tension is probably okay.

In the meantime, I'm trying to hunt down the instructions for adjusting the needle bar tension I posted on this forum several years ago in case it's needed.

OrthoFan

Here, I made the video. I'm sorry for taking such a long time. I included 3 records, the one from 1945, one from 1947 and one from 1954, to prove It sounds well balanced.

I also included a picture of the dust each record leaves on the needle.

I hope It helps:

https://youtu.be/rld5t0Ocw_U?t=0&si=2Gw6_skHh7S21BrI

Oh, and by the way, when I pumped the needle, was I supposed to do It side to side or front to back, if I do front to back I do see some minimal movement of the diaphragm

[jamiegramo]

I don’t know if it’s just me but the angle of the soundbox doesn’t look acute enough. Is the soundbox really turned as far clockwise as it will go?

[OddRomanian]

I don’t know if it’s just me but the angle of the soundbox doesn’t look acute enough. Is the soundbox really turned as far clockwise as it will go?

I was also thinking that but It really does not turn anymore.

See, thing is, before I removed the soundbox to check the needle bar tension It had a more acute angle, and when I tried putting It back I am unable to turn It more

[jamiegramo]

Try to fit the soundbox again. Make sure the inside of the collar is clean.

I liked the records records!

[OddRomanian]

Try to fit the soundbox again. Make sure the inside of the collar is clean.

I liked the records records!

I could try, but It isn't going to fix the problem because I just tested something. I pulled the soundbox out of the tonearm just enough so I could freely rotate It.

I played the 1945 in the most acute angle I could pñace the soundbox in, and while surface noise was rediced a lot, It still left shellsc dust.

And thank you very much! : )

[OrthoFan]

Based on what I'm hearing, there should be more mid-range. I also hear some upper range distortion, but can't tell if it's due to record wear. The angle of the needle seems to be okay to me.

If you want to try readjusting the needle bar tension, the cut-away images Orchorsol posted showing the needle bar pivots on page 2 of this post -- viewtopic.php?t=57434 -- should be helpful.

Also see: viewtopic.php?t=4465

OrthoFan