The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I didn't notice that the springs were different in person, but comparing the photos it does look like they are different. i guess my next step will be to take them off and compare them side by side. If they are different, which one is likely the correct one? I am thinking the one in the middle and bottom pictures is correct. The tang of the spring is more like what Player-Tone's pictures show in relation to the fulcrum bar.

banjo_picker wrote:If they are different, which one is likely the correct one?

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banjo_picker wrote:I am trying to get the needle to barely touch the mica, but the only way I can do it is to run the right screw down pretty far, and leave the left screw almost all the way out. This is as you are looking down at the face of the reproducer.

This puts the right spring under a lot of compression, and the left spring under very little. Both springs are new.

This doesn't sound right to me. Any help greatly appreciated!

-According to the description the right spring would be the correct one, It sounds like the left spring is sticking up too far. What you would want to do is compress the left spring slightly to bend it inward, until the problem is resolved. (This is assuming your needle bar is not bent- which it does not appear to be.)

I am glad to say that the springs were in fact the problem. I evened them out and the "default" needle position was MUCH closer to the mica. From there it was a simple adjustment to get things right. It is amazing how little deformation in the springs can cause a huge displacement of the needle. THANK YOU!

Please see my new thread called "Success!"