The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Jerry B: I've always considered myself as a machine collector although I own a good many records. As a machine collector I always consider two things, the degree of rarity and the condition of the machine.

I am both a machine collector, and record collector:

Regarding Machines: Best to me is - The most pristine, as close to NOS that I can obtain. Rarity, (except when it comes to purchase price, or resale value), is secondary. I am just as happy with a pristine common model, as I am with a pristine rare model. Somehow I feel that I get a bit of the same excitement that the original owner had when he/she first brought it home.

Regarding Records: Best to me is also pristine NOS, or lightly played Excellent condition records. I try to imagine how the original owners enjoyed hearing their records for the first time. When I do come across "rare" records that are in less than optimal shape, I tend to trade or sell these off, so that I can obtain better condition records.

Bob S.

My $.02:

The "best" is any machine that functions exactly as it was supposed to, coupled with an obvious previous history of care and use -- in my opinion, that "personality" offsets the imperfections from a hundred years (or more, or less) that have gotten behind it. The best is what I've saved from possible destruction and thoughtfully preserved for future enthusiasts, so that they can enjoy my same sense of understanding after I'm gone, too.

Fran

VintageTechnologies wrote:

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Oddly enough, it plays well when winded only half-way or ⅔.

In my experience, that means the spring grease is not distributed evenly the whole length of the spring. If running the spring all the way down a few times does not re-distribute the grease and cure the problem when the spring is fully wound, then you probably need to add more grease.

Thanks for the hint Vintage Technology but I can very hardly imagine this having anything to do with the issue. It flutters, it does not wow. I am persuaded that the problem lies with the governor, instead. I have already changed the governor's springs, but to no avail. Next step will be to carefully weigh the masses and see if one needs to be lightened a bit. It may also be a very slightly warped brake disc (although it looks perfect by visual inspection).