The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for your kind words too Jerry

Yes, I believe you're right in that our interests draw us together and enrich us.

Lets all hope that we see a world filled with peace and good will in the New Year.


Regards
ade

Ade

If you are going to do it right you may want to replace the two minute spring with a 4 minute spring just to make sure you can enjoy all of your 4 min record.

Kevan

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Gem. I find the 2-4 minute conversion particularly interesting. I have had several Gems over the years but none of them had that installed.
A note about filing your reproducer: be very careful in the immediate area of the hinge block. The potmetal is very thin in this area and you can go through the it into the mounting hole for the hinge block which may render the top section useless. If you should not being able to save the potmetal upper casting for some reason, a brass casting from a model C is an exact replacement. These can sometimes be found on Ebay minus the lower half, unusually with a broken hinge block screw still in the hole.
I wanted to say also that you should be sure to rebuild the reproducer or have it done, paying particular attention to the condition of the stylus. If it is worn, it can be rotated to bring an unworn section into playing position.


Jim

Thanks Kevan & Jim for your information/advice.

I decided that I have to make a start and and will devote some
time these holidays to work on the Gem. I think I'll start by disassembling the
machine and giving it a proper clean. That way I can think about what you have
told me, and consider it properly as the bits and pieces are in front of me. Otherwise
it's a little abstract, without the familiarity.

Thanks again, and like the previous info from the guys, I'll save it to a Gem file.

I don't like to wish my life away, but impending retirement will hopefully give me
some time to commence work more fully on the Edisons. At the moment between
work, running, gym & house chores, reading etc. there is frustratingly little time left
for hunting for bargains to work on (although that is maxxed out right now).

Regards Ade