The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought this interesting phonograph at a antique shop on my way from work I took it home cleaned it up a little the electric motor works nicely but when I put a record on it there is no noise barely but a little echoing can someone give me some advice on this machine and tell me a liitle but more about it I only paid $30.00 for it which I think is a pretty good deal on it myself thanks. It appears to take needles which to me looks weird I thought these use cartridges?

Morgan, It uses a crystal cartridge which is probably shot. These early cartridges used Rochelle salt as a Crystal and they don't hold up well in humidity and varying temperatures. You'd either have to replace it with a modern cartridge (high output) or have the old one rebuilt.
I only know of one guy who rebuilds them in the states but I've never sent him anything - too expensive given the value of the machines.

The amplifier itself is probably a tube configuration and should probably have it's capacitors replaced as well.

You're located in Canada Morgan?

You might try the Antique Radio Forum phonograph category:
http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=9

They're a fine group of people too!
Bob

Yes I'm located in Canada and I do think it needs a replacement for the new cartridge thanks guys I'll have to look into it a little more

If you are in the Toronto area, you will want to check out these guys.
http://www.ringaudio.com/
They specialize in repairing vintage audio equipment. They restored an early RCA Victor 45 player for me. Like yours, it had a crystal pick-up which had long since died. They were able to replace it with a ceramic cartridge and it works very well. A few years ago, on a turntable forum, I posted a query about searching for an original replacement crystal cartridge and this was the response: Don't. They are difficult to find, expensive, they don't have a long lifespan and they gouge the records.
So try Ring Audio. I think they can help you.