The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,

Recently I bought an antique horn gramophone (photo in Youtube links). I would like someone help me to understand why most of the records sound rather distorted.

Examples of distortion:
http://youtu.be/ciMxQxP9wIY?t=2m25s, http://youtu.be/Skgp-mWI_bY?t=10s, http://youtu.be/CMDQCoc5GfE?t=1m45s

Examples of vibration/wobbling:
http://youtu.be/Skgp-mWI_bY?t=3m40s, http://youtu.be/Skgp-mWI_bY?t=3m5s

However, a few records sound excellent, for example: http://youtu.be/06SVo8UivOI

Is the distortion due to damaged records or something is wrong with the gramophone itself?

I can provide more information if needed.

Thank you in advance!

It sounds like the needle is dull. Do you change your needle every record, Steel needles are to be changed every side of a record. Also the gaskets are usually shot in the reproducers, so a change will definately take care of these issues.

edisonphonoworks wrote:It sounds like the needle is dull. Do you change your needle every record, Steel needles are to be changed every side of a record. Also the gaskets are usually shot in the reproducers, so a change will definately take care of these issues.

Hello,
Thanks for the answer!
I change the needle every side of a record.
The gaskets in the sound box are too hard and I am currently waiting for new ones to arrive.
However, I’ve heard that these sound issues are caused by record wear and that most records will sound like that. So, I am afraid the new gaskets will not solve my sound issues and wonder if there may be other solutions?

Ksenia wrote:

edisonphonoworks wrote:It sounds like the needle is dull. Do you change your needle every record, Steel needles are to be changed every side of a record. Also the gaskets are usually shot in the reproducers, so a change will definately take care of these issues.

Hello,
Thanks for the answer!
I change the needle every side of a record.
The gaskets in the sound box are too hard and I am currently waiting for new ones to arrive.
However, I’ve heard that these sound issues are caused by record wear and that most records will sound like that. So, I am afraid the new gaskets will not solve my sound issues and wonder if there may be other solutions?

Worn records do often sound a bit rough (some more than others, some less). However, a rebuilt reproducer with fresh gaskets will cause less record wear and will play records that sound good (ones in good condition) with little issue. I suggest that you stop playing any records until the gaskets are replaced. I don't know what model of phonograph you have, but if the reproducer connects to the tone arm with a rubber flange, it should be replaced too if it has become hard.

Some closer pictures of your gramophone might be helpful.

ImperialGuardsman wrote:Worn records do often sound a bit rough (some more than others, some less). However, a rebuilt reproducer with fresh gaskets will cause less record wear and will play records that sound good (ones in good condition) with little issue. I suggest that you stop playing any records until the gaskets are replaced. I don't know what model of phonograph you have, but if the reproducer connects to the tone arm with a rubber flange, it should be replaced too if it has become hard.

estott wrote:Some closer pictures of your gramophone might be helpful.

Hello,
Thanks for the answers!
As you’ve suggested, I don’t play any records until the gaskets in the sound box are replaced. The reproducer doesn’t connect to the tone arm with a rubber flange, so that’s not an issue in my case.

I don’t know what model of phonograph this is. It would be nice if you could help me identify it! When approx was it manufactured? Here is some info and photos:

I bought the gramophone here in Sweden, from a private person who isn’t a collector.
The only marking is “Reform - Schalldose” (German for “Reform – sound box”) stated on the sound box.
The motor has a single spring.
The turntable is approx. 25 cm (10 inch) in diameter. When playing a 30 cm (12 inch) record, I have to place an extra cloth disc underneath so that the record doesn’t contact the brake.
On all the photos, except for the first one, there is quite recently applied wood stain on the cabinet (apart from the lighter piece at the front).

Photos of the sound box:

Something is very wrong with the angle of that soundbox to the record. I think this machine is a fake - one made with some genuine parts but incorrectly put together.

estott wrote:Something is very wrong with the angle of that soundbox to the record. I think this machine is a fake - one made with some genuine parts but incorrectly put together.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. The needle is at about 45 degrees to the record surface. If it were more like 70 degrees things would sound better. Also, the needle point being so far "past" the spindle is all wrong too. Ideally, you should be able to touch the needle point to the center of the spindle shaft. Looks also like the tone arm sits too close to the record, creating a weird angle to the u-tube. Correcting the needle angle will only make the u-tube inclination worse. Sorry to say, it's kind of messed up.

JerryVan wrote:

estott wrote:Something is very wrong with the angle of that soundbox to the record. I think this machine is a fake - one made with some genuine parts but incorrectly put together.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. The needle is at about 45 degrees to the record surface. If it were more like 70 degrees things would sound better. Also, the needle point being so far "past" the spindle is all wrong too. Ideally, you should be able to touch the needle point to the center of the spindle shaft. Looks also like the tone arm sits too close to the record, creating a weird angle to the u-tube. Correcting the needle angle will only make the u-tube inclination worse. Sorry to say, it's kind of messed up.

+3 on the "put together" idea. I'm afraid it sure looks like a pile of different parts poorly married.