The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Any ideas here? The most obvious is that it is playing too slowly, but this is not the case. I think it is the right speed, but when spun faster, it just sounds faster and slurred. Occasionally, a 2 min cylinder will sound okay, but the vast majority sound slurred, and I don't remember this being the case (have not played it in over a year). I am playing only 2 min cylinders, most with a 1902 patent date.

I suspect it has something to do with the reproducer, but what? It looks okay to me.

A video would help tremendously...

Are you sure that the cylinder is on the mandrel snugly? A slipping cylinder can cause aberrations...

I have found with the Edison Standards that its usually a belt that is to tight, or too loose, or a lack or proper lubrication in the right areas. Do that, and you're off to a good start. Also invest in a $10.00 Laser Digital RPM guage Tachometer on ebay. That way, With a clean cylinder on and playing, You can guage on how fast the machine is actually running...which should be 160-161 RPM's give or take..

)

Tony K.
Edison Restorer

If the grooves on the cylinder are fine (not shallow or worn, not stripped) you may have a worn stylus. Some Albany Indestructible cylinders that were created from worn masters can cause a distorted sound. I cannot tell you how many of those confounded gray color Indestructible cylinders I have that play poorly primarily due to weak or shallow grooves. Almost all of these grey ones I have will skip a groove from the notorious shinkage issue inherent with them. But, for the most part I love the black 2 minute Albany Indestructibles. Anyway, check out the stylus condition, also its position on the cylinder surface when in playing position and make sure the stylus and stylus bar can move freely laterally and vertically within the confines of the limit loop.

Doug

I don't think the stylus would wear that quickly. I don't remember it being a problem before.

When I get home from work today, I will assess further. I think it may be that some parts need lubricating.

I played a cylinder last night and it appears that the mandril very briefly comes into focus better when played which leads me to believe that the rotation of the cylinder is not consistent, causing the lack of crispness when played.

Oddly, a few cylinders play just fine. These are the same type of 2 min cylinders, so it is not that I am playing a 4 min cylinder in error, etc.