The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked up couple machines the other day and in the group was an Amberola X. When you wind it up and turn it on , the crank goes around as it unwinds. Before I try to figure out what is sticking, just thought I would ask to make sure it is supposed to release. I have a couple of front mount disc machines that do this but they have the kind of crank that comes off, so just wanted to ask. Thanks, Jan

Once your done winding, try pulling the crank outwards to the right. That should disengage it. You should have a tension spring that engages when you wind it that pushes the crank back out when done. It may be disconnected or broken.

Wes

The Amberola X uses a Gem mechanism. Like all Gems, the crank goes backwards when it unwinds. Unfortunately, this model has a very weak motor to power it. Very few were made, and very few survived. This made way for the Amberola 30, a much superior machine.
Harvey Kravitz

downsouth wrote:Once your done winding, try pulling the crank outwards to the right. That should disengage it. You should have a tension spring that engages when you wind it that pushes the crank back out when done. It may be disconnected or broken.

Wes

Wes, It has a threaded crank.

Phonofreak wrote:The Amberola X uses a Gem mechanism. Like all Gems, the crank goes backwards when it unwinds. Unfortunately, this model has a very weak motor to power it. Very few were made, and very few survived. This made way for the Amberola 30, a much superior machine.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks, Harvey. So it's not broken, the cranks supposed to unwind then. I have a DX, a 30 and a VI b and I knew they didn't do that. I had read that it was not a very successful model but at least it has a nice model B reproducer.

Your motor on your Amberola X is based on the late Gem motor. To wind the gem motor, you push the crank in to engage the winding mechanism. When you are finished winding, there is a spring mechanism that pushed the crank out at bit and disengages the crank so it doesn't wind backwards. I suspect your machine is not disengaging so it runs backwards. Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote:Your motor on your Amberola X is based on the late Gem motor. To wind the gem motor, you push the crank in to engage the winding mechanism. When you are finished winding, there is a spring mechanism that pushed the crank out at bit and disengages the crank so it doesn't wind backwards. I suspect your machine is not disengaging so it runs backwards. Jerry B.

Thanks, Jerry, These machines have been setting for years untouched. When I went to pick up the Vic VI,the man offered them to me at a good price as he was moving this weekend. I'll need to go though and clean them up and oil and grease them.

Found the problem with the sring. It's all back togather and running nicely. It will just play through a 4 min cylinder on a full wind. That's probably the best these will do. Thanks for all the help.