The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

OK:

I got the Lyric reproducer back from APSCO some time ago: unfortunately, they had miscalculated the length of the diaphragm link, so that the stylus was not contacting the cylinder properly.

My initial attempts to modify this resulted in damage to the link attachment to the diaphragm (not the original mica diaphragm I had sent with the reproducer, but a metal replacement they had put in - I am still waiting for them to locate & return the original, plus a replacement for the damaged metal one).

I managed to jury-rig an attachment for the link, and experimented with finding the correct length for the link, using a softer wire than APSCO had provided. In the course of my efforts, however, the tension spring became damaged, and I was forced to replace it.

Anyway: I finally managed to get the reproducer working somewhat adequately, but I am not sure that it is at optimum performance. Here it is, playing a Columbia wax cylinder from the 1902-1904 period:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2k11c ... stra_music

I find the playback somewhat lacking in the higher frequencies: is this due to problems with the reproducer, or deficiencies in the Columbia cylinders of the period?

Bill

Do I understand this to mean that they worked on your Lyric but didn't test it?

There seems to be some distortion. Of course I realize that could just be the video recording.

Clay

Could be the replacement mica?i got a mica for an edison that sounded worse than the original,it came from murica.just messing around enough will fix anything if you have the ear and knowledge.awesome machine i like the BF.

Sounds like a lyric to me. I never did hear one that didn't have distortion. I'm not sure why but I think it may have to do with the spring loading to much pressure on to the grove of the recording and not allowing a full range of hill and dale motion. Just my opinion I am not an expert and I am most likely way off base with my observations.
Kevan

Kevan, that's an interesting point. Bill's does sound a little distorted. Personally, I'd be asking some questions to APSCO. I have a BF that had an issue with blasting as well, even after a rebuild. The spring tension may well be the key, or at least a part of the problem. My BET and BKT lyric reproducers both do not have this problem at all. I don't play wax cylinders with the lyrics though, I suspect they'd cause more rapid wear to wax cylinders, but I've never noticed an issue with Indestructible, US Everlastings or Lamberts.

Sean

I would bite the bullet and send the reproducer to Steve Medved. Then I would contact APSCO and ask for a refund. I don't think that they did a good job. As we all know, Steve will do it right and he backs up his work. In the long run, I think you will be happier sending it to Steve.
Harvey Kravitz

when you send a reproducer for repair make sure that the repair person has a machine to try it on before sending it back to you. I have heard and seen many horror stories of reproducer repairs being done by someone who does repairs by using specifications and not even trying it before sending it back.

Phonofreak wrote:I would bite the bullet and send the reproducer to Steve Medved. Then I would contact APSCO and ask for a refund. I don't think that they did a good job. As we all know, Steve will do it right and he backs up his work. In the long run, I think you will be happier sending it to Steve.
Harvey Kravitz

In all fairness, I would ask for the refund BEFORE sending it off to someone else. APSCO might want the opportunity to make it right, and if denied that opportunity (and a third party simultaneously involved), bad feelings might result.

Good luck!

George P.

I have a BQ with 2-Minute Lyric repro, and while the playback is loud and fairly "round", I think it's harmed and fuzzified by hard gaskets and a too-stiff diaphragm. I've been told that an Edison copper diaphragm would be much more pleasant sounding. Compliance is King.