The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Victrolacollector wrote:I had that problem, I think mine started working when I carefully bent the horn as the manual suggests. I also make sure the pin is centered as I carefully lower the reproducer into the first groove. I still notice the pin being a little off center give or take, but does not hit the limit loop. I think Edison made that limit loop a little too small. Thats my opinion.

I think you're right about that loop. I haven't had that problem before with my other DD machines. Maybe the weight of the reproducer causes some sagging over time. Gravity, you know

I love Edison machines and records, but it seems he had some really quirkey and overly complex mechanisms.

Victrolacollector wrote:I love Edison machines and records, but it seems he had some really quirkey and overly complex mechanisms.

The quirky and complicated Edison disk machines were designed by lawyers. I'm not kidding! Features like a mechanical feed, a swivelling horn instead of a tapered tone arm, lack of a motor board, and only a grill instead of doors, were all lawyer-approved designs to avoid patent lawsuits with Victor or possibly Columbia. Edison would have found it cheaper and more competitive to build a conventional machine, except for the lawsuits.