Hello friends, I am very delighted to see how my message has generated a discussion which, started from a trivial matter, has expanded to a range of broader issues of passion, aesthetics, functionality, culture, and values. It is great to read how we respectfully differ with one another and still offer space for a variety of opinions.
In my own right I feel like presenting you the context of my experimentation with the spring leaf followed by my opinion on some of these broad issues.
i. Of course, I understand simple economics and I am conscious of quality but governor spring for Swiss motors (533, single spring, double spring etc), commonly available in Pakistan, are not generally available on line.
ii. A few suppliers in Europe supply a set of 3 spring leaf for a minimum of Euro 15 + freight charges, and the total cost comes to about Euro 25. Most of the vendors have refused to supply the springs in ordinary envelopes. At least one vendor in Holland with a large inventory insist on insurance as well.
iii. Vendors invariably required the buyer to pay either through PayPal or a bank account. PayPal facility is not available in Pakistan. For Bank transfer, an equivalent amount is charged by the bank as the transaction cost. This means one has to spend about 50 Euros for a set of three springs.
iv. Often springs when received are found inconsistent with the required size. Returning the springs to the vendor means spending 30 Euros to recover 15 Euros.
The above points only deal with the mercantile aspects of procuring spares for gramophones and necessitates that an indigenous solution be found out. But there are other aspects of such DIY projects, which, many of friends here have already mentioned, encourage such ventures.
i. Understanding how a machine works, attempting to grasp the technology, and making a serious effort to do a near to perfect repair and restoration work is a hugely satisfying phenomenon.
ii. There is subtle difference between a hoarder and a collector. A collector lives through his/her collection. He/she knows inside out of the valuable possession. He /she does not sit idle when no support is there to help restore the aesthetics or functionality of the valuable. Then he/she creatively explores the ways of achieving the objective.
ii. In the process of doing the job, the tools (jig or a punching medium) one makes or uses are not always necessarily unprofessional in nature. For instance, the jig which I use is of superior metallurgy. I will share the pictures of my tools here soon.
iii. The pleasure of playing a record on the gramophone is absolutely greater than the pleasure of owning a vintage machine. We in the big cities speaking a global language and enjoying access to the internet should not assume that life offers an equal opportunity to everyone to revel in their passion with ease. Some people have to make real hard struggle for this. Here is link to stories about people in a small village in Pakistan not only maintaining their old gramophones but some playing them in challenge competitions.
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1793601/pakistan
https://tribune.com.pk/story/41920/gram ... y-of-death
Had there not been local genius available to support upkeep of these machines, the very idea of a gramophone would have long ceased to exist among these village communities.
All those who are in love with gramophone machines are faced with unique situations. Within their techno-cultural context, they are striving to keep their machines alive. In this sense, we are a diverse community committed to one common cause and we all deserve appreciation for our achievements.
Cheers
