The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Ive had a couple of records come drag on my VV-VI. They will bring it to a stop and leave black dust on the record. I attributed it to a record that had previous groove damage.

I totally agree it could happen but I take the same record and it plays beautifully on my vv-x and Sonora thanks alot for the help

Which reproducer are you using?

No name on it but sounds great. It plays loud and clear. Looked up original reproducer should be Victor 2.

OK, thats probably your problem. It may be too heavy. If you are using a soft or extra soft needle with it, it will dig into the record. I would replace that reproducer with a No.2 or try using a medium or loud needles and see if that helps. When your motor is wound half way down and it is stopped with the brake, will it start on its own ?

Using loud needles. I bought this baby 2weeks ago and it played records beautifully but thumped and clunced so I ripped it apart my first time . Look at the blog from a couple of days ago in machine " amature digs in" and you'll smile how the spring kick my butt .

Yes you read it you responded once you do an Edison a Victor is a piece of cake. I have a number 2 reproducer I'll try it and see what happens thanks alot for responding

For many years I have been accustomed to clean shellac records (of all ages) with cheap spray-on furniture polish. I think I read a recommendation of this about forty years ago in The Hillandale News, the magazine of the City of London Phonograph & Gramophone Society. I have never observed any ill effects from this in any record.

I mention this here because when I was using an H.M.V. 101 portable (single spring) as my workhorse gramophone, I found that when I tried to play an uncleaned record the speed would drop in heavily-recorded passages, while some early records with very matt surfaces would not play at all. In every case, however, cleaning the record would solve the problem.

Oliver Mundy.

I agree with Cliff. Of a few handfuls of Victrolas I've owned for a few years and finally got up to snuff to enjoy for a bit before selling, a handful of them all had ran at about 60 RPM. In all five cases it was the governor being slightly off center causing a slight amount of braking. A slight adjustment got them to the 78 RPM area.

Thanks alot for the help guys.