Black / Shellac Dust On Needle After Playing, Tried Everything

[OddRomanian]

Based on what I'm hearing, there should be more mid-range. I also hear some upper range distortion, but can't tell if it's due to record wear. The angle of the needle seems to be okay to me.

If you want to try readjusting the needle bar tension, the cut-away images Orchorsol posted showing the needle bar pivots on page 2 of this post -- viewtopic.php?t=57434 -- should be helpful.

Also see: viewtopic.php?t=4465

OrthoFan

Thank you very much! I'll report back when I adjust It

[OrthoFan]

Based on what I'm hearing, there should be more mid-range. I also hear some upper range distortion, but can't tell if it's due to record wear. The angle of the needle seems to be okay to me.

If you want to try readjusting the needle bar tension, the cut-away images Orchorsol posted showing the needle bar pivots on page 2 of this post -- viewtopic.php?t=57434 -- should be helpful.

Also see: viewtopic.php?t=4465

OrthoFan

Thank you very much! I'll report back when I adjust It

One thing to caution you about. If you feel any resistance when turning the outer lock screws, etc., work very carefully and gently. The "Collar" holding the lugs in place is made out of pot metal, while the lugs, etc., are steel. Over time, pot metal can swell, and in general is far less robust than steel. Forcing the screws can break the pot metal. For this reason, I think it would be best to invest in some lightweight or penetrating oil. You can always use lightweight oil to lubricate the various parts of the motor when needed.

OrthoFan

[OddRomanian]

Based on what I'm hearing, there should be more mid-range. I also hear some upper range distortion, but can't tell if it's due to record wear. The angle of the needle seems to be okay to me.

If you want to try readjusting the needle bar tension, the cut-away images Orchorsol posted showing the needle bar pivots on page 2 of this post -- viewtopic.php?t=57434 -- should be helpful.

Also see: viewtopic.php?t=4465

OrthoFan

Thank you very much! I'll report back when I adjust It

One thing to caution you about. If you feel any resistance when turning the outer lock screws, etc., work very carefully and gently. The "Collar" holding the lugs in place is made out of pot metal, while the lugs, etc., are steel. Over time, pot metal can swell, and in general is far less robust than steel. Forcing the screws can break the pot metal. For this reason, I think it would be best to invest in some lightweight or penetrating oil. You can always use lightweight oil to lubricate the various parts of the motor when needed.

OrthoFan

Is sewing machine oil appropiate for that? If It is I can try that method before

[OrthoFan]

Sewing Machine oil should work.

[OddRomanian]

Sewing Machine oil should work.

Sadly, the sewing machine oil didn't work. I began readjusting but one of the screws is extremely stiff. What should I do?

And also, how do I loosen those tiny nuts?

[OrthoFan]

...Sadly, the sewing machine oil didn't work. I began readjusting but one of the screws is extremely stiff. What should I do?

At this point, I'd say wait for some others to respond. My one attempt to remove a stuck end screw--in this case from a Victor #4 sound box pivot joint which is identical to the HMV 5a/5b pivots--resulted in the lug cracking.

In the meantime, as long as you have the sewing machine oil handy, you could put a drop on each side of the pivot, where I showed in a previous post, and try moving the needle back and forth--again gently, to see if it loosens up slightly. It's easier to do it if you remove the sound box from the tonearm.

OrthoFan

[OddRomanian]

...Sadly, the sewing machine oil didn't work. I began readjusting but one of the screws is extremely stiff. What should I do?

At this point, I'd say wait for some others to respond. My one attempt to remove a stuck end screw--in this case from a Victor #4 sound box pivot joint which is identical to the HMV 5a/5b pivots--resulted in the lug cracking.

In the meantime, as long as you have the sewing machine oil handy, you could put a drop on each side of the pivot, where I showed in a previous post, and try moving the needle back and forth--again gently, to see if it loosens up slightly. It's easier to do it if you remove the sound box from the tonearm.

OrthoFan

Will do!

Do you have any other different suggestions to check in the gramophone / soundbox that could be causing this problem?

[OrthoFan]

Will do!
Do you have any other different suggestions to check in the gramophone / soundbox that could be causing this problem?

I can't think of anything else to check--the responses have been pretty comprehensive so far--but if I come up with something, I'll definitely post it.

OrthoFan

[OddRomanian]

Will do!
Do you have any other different suggestions to check in the gramophone / soundbox that could be causing this problem?

I can't think of anything else to check--the responses have been pretty comprehensive so far--but if I come up with something, I'll definitely post it.

OrthoFan

Okay! Thank you

I want to mention one more thing.

I did a somewhat weird test where I wound up the gramophone and I very carefully held and placed a needle on the groove with my fingers, applying no pressure and making sure It was well placed on the groove.

Even though I applied no pressure and the needle was perfeclty placed, It still had shellac dust on It after only a few seconds.

Does this information help? Maybe It isn't the gramophones fault after all?

[Inigo]

I suspect your records are all prone to black dust.
The Columbia with the Falange hymn is R-6000? Then it's not 1954, but a bad pressing from 1936-1937, and it was not the best quality shellac due to the war shortages. Besides that it was overmodulated and never sounded very well. I know because I have the same record. Not a good example for these tests. The black dust on it comes from the record whatever needle you use, and bamboo is worst, as it will burn the grooves with the friction.
Can you post a clear, full flat photo of this record? We could judge better then...
Besides that, undoubtedly the sound is constricted and not as full warm and good as it should be. Not sure, but I bet you have a problem with the soundbox, and my advice is not to play records anymore except one sacrifice record you choose for trials and tests until you get this problem solved. That soundbox will destroy anything you play with it.
Watch this example of a well restored 5a soundbox and how should it sound on a good 1941 record: this is with bamboo needle but the record is a good pressing and in a perfect shape;
https://youtu.be/NLs17N_3CIM?si=EBa18EK9C5YpM-tl