The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have an early VV XVI L-door with a noisy, uneven sounding motor. Records tend to have a watery quality, especially in the quiet piano accompaniment (e.g. early operatic records). I've oiled all the gears but it doesn't help. I've also tinkered with the governor but the fluttering is still present; with that being said, I'm not very good with governors.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Stan

Depending on where you live.....take to a guy that knows his stuff. Difficult to diagnosis something like this without seeing and hearing it. Could be a whole host of things.
Hope that helps.

A quick video might also be helpful if you still wish to pursue an online diagnosis.

I posted 2 short videos. The one without a record demonstrates a swishing sound; can whatever causes the sound be affecting the pitch? The one with the record reveals the fluttery sound. When playing a forward vocal record, e.g. Caruso, the voice can sound OK, but the accompaniment flutters.
Could it be the governor? The springs? It sounds like it could simply be some type of contact/friction. I've oiled everything I can think of.
One other thing - someone told me early machines tend to be noisy; I believe this is the first one that has the XVI designation (as opposed to VTLA). Maybe this is just an early model flaw.
Thanks,
Stan

Player-Tone wrote:A quick video might also be helpful if you still wish to pursue an online diagnosis.

Hmmm.... that's strange, I posted that several months ago- not several minutes ago.

Player-Tone wrote:

Player-Tone wrote:A quick video might also be helpful if you still wish to pursue an online diagnosis.

Hmmm.... that's strange, I posted that several months ago- not several minutes ago.

Yes, that is strange - I saw your post at the time, but just got around to uploading the clips.

Sounds like the spindle gear that drives the governor needs to be adjusted or is worn out. Be sure the spring is completely unwound before attempting to adjust or replace that gear.

Cliff

Cliff - thanks for the suggestion. The gear looks OK - not noticeably worn, greased. It's almost as though something wobbles a bit. BTW, although it was rebuilt, the reproducer is a bit harsh sounding. When I use a reproducer from a different the sound is better, and the fluttering seems less pronounced, but the sound could be steadier.

Stan wrote:BTW, although it was rebuilt, the reproducer is a bit harsh sounding. When I use a reproducer from a different the sound is better, and the fluttering seems less pronounced, but the sound could be steadier.

Has it been rebuilt with careful attention to the balance springs? I only ask because I have seen cases where reproducers are "rebuilt" but the balance-spring screws are just tightened down without any concern for proper alignment of the needle bar. This would result in poor sound.

Player-Tone wrote:

Stan wrote:BTW, although it was rebuilt, the reproducer is a bit harsh sounding. When I use a reproducer from a different the sound is better, and the fluttering seems less pronounced, but the sound could be steadier.

Has it been rebuilt with careful attention to the balance springs? I only ask because I have seen cases where reproducers are "rebuilt" but the balance-spring screws are just tightened down without any concern for proper alignment of the needle bar. This would result in poor sound.

Player-Tone - thanks for the suggestion - I looked at the screws and decided to tighten them more - the sound is a lot better, the harshness on loud passages is gone.

I think Cliff may be right. The gears may be a bit worn. I'm uploading a picture of the governor. The gears are a bit gunked up, but I think you can see the condition of the teeth.