Columbia AP - not sure

[briankeith]

I have this open works key-wind Columbia cylinder phonograph which looks like an AP but not sure. The reproducer is pinned to the horn and there is no shaft / gear drive so the reproducer just floats gently on the record while playing. My problem is it will play perfectly from the very start to the middle, then just slide to the very end and off the cylinder record. There is a level adjustment screw and I have made the phonograph perfectly level on my table. Again I am not sure of the model number but it looks like the one I attached from the internet since my wife has misplaced my digital camera. Does anyone know why it will only play half way and then just slide to the end of the cylinder? I have tried many perfect 2-minute cylinders, even a new repro. Same results. Frustrating.

[kirtley2012]

Have you checked the stylus to see if its worn?

[phonogfp]

That is indeed an AP. Your problem sounds like it may originate from the horn support post. Be sure there's no binding nor any way the horn/reproducer can shift its angle once it reaches mid-point.

George P.

[alang]

I support what George said. Your machine seems to be very similar to my Puck phonograph and I had the exact same issue with it. Make sure that the horn support moves really freely and easily all the way through a record. Mine had a bit of resistance at some point and I actually used a drill of correct size to make sure that the hole was perfectly round. Filled the hole with grease and it plays nice ever since.
Good luck
Andreas

[briankeith]

Thanks - the inside of the horn actually has a brass or bronze cupped insert that the rounded end of the support rod sits into. The bottom of the horn where the support rod passes through is oblong, or sort of oval shaped. It seems to move freely but I did not try to put a dab of grease at the rod's contact point. The reproducer's needle point seems fine and plays the record loud and clear until about center point when zipppppppp it slides to the end of the cylinder record. I will try polishing and lightly greasing the contact points tonight and report back. This thing is so basic that I am suprised Columbia ever sold any of these!!

[gregbogantz]

This style of cylinder player is notorious for poor tracking. Unlike the players that use a feedscrew to guide the reproducer, these players rely on the quite shallow groove of the cylinder to haul the entire reproducer and horn assembly across the record. In addition to checking the quality of the stylus (a worn one will tend to skim over the groove) and the freedom of the assembly pivot, make sure the player is level. Even a slight tilt of the record surface can add considerable side force to the pickup assembly and cause it to skip grooves.

[kirtley2012]

If that fails you could possibly add some weight to the reproducer, ONLY a tiny bit though, just enough to allow it to track, dont want to wear the cylinders out!

[briankeith]

Here are photos of the actual phonograph with the tracking problem.

[kirtley2012]

Theres not anything jurking the horn at all half way is there!, i.e it may be a bit sticky somewhere in the pivot, is the reproducer flat when playing a cylinder, not angled at all, when i get a machine im usually over generous with the wd40 on some parts so im just wondering if your machine just needs some oiling

[Zwebie]

If the mandrel shaft is slightly bent, the up and down motion of the cylinder may reach a critical point and just toss the stylus out of the groove. A bent shaft would cause a slight wobble at the beginning of the cylinder getting progressively worse by the end of the cylinder.

Bob S.