Broken Emerson Phonograph

[chuckmoy]

Good morning from Beijing.

I found an Emerson Phonograph to try and play my phonograph records on, however it only partially works.

Sometimes the turn table spins but sometimes it does not.

When it does spin, there is not much noise, only few noise from needle.

Thank you.

[chuckmoy]

Here is a video of problem from my Mobile Phone.

The talking is the TV, not the phono

[OrthoFan]

Hi Chuck:

That looks like an Emerson "Big-big" phonograph, circa 1977-1979, which is about fifty years "too modern" for this forum. Virtually all or most of the phonographs/gramophones discussed on this site date from the late 1800s to the late 1920s--mostly spring wound/wind-up acoustic machines--though there have been a couple of discussions about more modern record players.

I would imagine that the amplifier is shot, as well as the stylus judging from the way the tonearm skates the surface of the record--unless it's fitted with an "LP only" stylus, which is too narrow for 78 rpm records. These were low-end portable phonographs, and cost around $20.00 when new. I remember seeing them at "Dime Stores" such as Woolworth's. I don't know how repairable they are today, or if something like this would even be worth the expense of restoring.

While waiting for responses here, you might also try your question on sites such as PhonoLand -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/phonoland/ or other sites that specialize in "vintage" record players.

OrthoFan

[chuckmoy]

Thank you, Orthofan.

Perhaps it would be better to look for a phonograph from the era you talked about... I have several phonograph records as shown in my other post.

Where would I find one?

Thank you.

[mrvic2]

Thank you, Orthofan.

Perhaps it would be better to look for a phonograph from the era you talked about... I have several phonograph records as shown in my other post.

Where would I find one?

Thank you.

Being from America, my resources are going to be much different than yours, but for me, the best places to find them are Antique Stores & online stores like E-Bay.

[OrthoFan]

Hi Chuck:

I don't know how available they are in Beijing, but for something basic, just to listen to the records once in awhile, you could probably get something like one of the new-production "Victrola" brand phonographs. I think they all are three speed phonographs, and they do a tolerable job of playing most records depending on the model. They vary in price--and quality--from about $50 to over $1,000, depending on the model. I would imagine they are also sold in your area, perhaps under a different brand name.

The brand name "Victrola" use by the company -- https://victrola.com/collections/record-players -- by the way, has no relationship to the quality machines produced by the Victor Talking Machine Company--later acquired by RCA--at the early part of the 20th century.

Whether you can get a special 78 rpm stylus for the Victrolas, I don't know. They come with a stylus that is supposed to play all three speeds--badly, as one poster reported.

I believe that Crosley record players also play 78s -- https://www.crosleyradio.com/record-players?page=1

For a wind-up phonograph, you might try posting a wanted ad in the Yankee Trader forum of this site -- viewforum.php?f=9 Probably a quality portable model produced by HMV, Victor, Columbia, etc. during the late 1920s/early 1930s would suit you. You'd want something in restored "ready to play" condition, of course.

Hope this helps.
OrthoFan

[chuckmoy]

Good afternoon mrvic2 and OrthoFan.

I heard that the modern Victrola & Crosley players wear out the records quickly because of their poor quality. Is this true or a simple rumor?

Thank you for the advice. I will look into the Yankee Trader.

[drh]

Good afternoon mrvic2 and OrthoFan.

I heard that the modern Victrola & Crosley players wear out the records quickly because of their poor quality. Is this true or a simple rumor?

Thank you for the advice. I will look into the Yankee Trader.

They are bad for LP records, which are made of vinyl, and they probably would also be bad for very late vinyl 78s. The records you have, however, are shellac, which are sturdier (but more brittle and hence more easily broken); for those, I don't imagine one of the modern players under discussion would do much damage. Those lacking mono settings will greatly and needlessly increase the amount of noise you get, though, and their minimally designed tonearms probably won't track records that are less than perfect, particularly those that are warped, very well, even if you have an appropriate stylus.

[mrvic2]

They are bad for LP records, which are made of vinyl, and they probably would also be bad for very late vinyl 78s. The records you have, however, are shellac, which are sturdier (but more brittle and hence more easily broken); for those, I don't imagine one of the modern players under discussion would do much damage. Those lacking mono settings will greatly and needlessly increase the amount of noise you get, though, and their minimally designed tonearms probably won't track records that are less than perfect, particularly those that are warped, very well, even if you have an appropriate stylus.

I have one of these that i dont really use much anymore.
They do have higher surface noise & a bit less quality than a more high end modern machine, but it tracks completely fine, on warped records & worn ones.

[chuckmoy]

I see. Thank you friends.