The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings oh knowledgeable ones. I am a long time viewer and seldom poster. I have a Amberola 30 with I believe a Diamond C reproducer on it. Ever since I got the player, when it plays, I get what I can only describe as a "pre-echo". In other words, ½ second or so before the main part of the music/voice is heard, I hear the music/voice, only at a slightly lower volume. Is the "needle" partially playing the groove-wall of the cylinder, or is it something else? Could it be that it's time to get the sapphire rebuilt? Hopefully this is a basic question for you guys, and that I was able to describe what I'm hearing. Thanks.

This is almost always an indicator that your diamond stylus is worn out and needs to be replaced. All the usual suppliers can help you with this.

Does it do this with all cylinders?

I ask this as I have one cylinder which does this (none of my other ones do). It does this on my Edison Standard and Home (these two share the same reproducer), and also on my Amberola 30.

I am very new to Amberolas, having acquired mine at the APS meet in August (I have played it almost every day since).

I agree, the phenomenon is normally due to a worn stylus, which, because it has lost it's point is "reading" more than one groove.
These are easily replaced, with plenty of help in obtaining a decent diamond available on this forum.

@RAK402: if only one of your cylinders does this, regardless of the reproducer used and none of your others do, then the problem lies with the particular cylinder. I have a few cylinders that will do this on virtually any reproducer (all are restored with good styli) but 99% of my cylinders play fine, so I don't worry about the reproducers. If it happens on most of your cylinders most of the time, then it's time to check the stylus.

Jim

Before you jump into getting a new stylus, here is what I have done: Make sure the weight of the reproducer moves from side to side easily. Make sure the pivot point are smooth. They might have to be lubricated. Check the stylus to see if there is dirt or crud on it. If these areas are clean and lubricated, then check the stylus. A simple way, and I have mentioned this many times before, is to lightly rub your fingernail over the stylus. If you fingernail gets scratched, the the stylus is bad and needs replacing. If these is no scratch, then the stylus is still good.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey is right - sometimes there's enough crud built up around the stylus point to make an "echo". Just scraping with your fingernail might clear it away.

I agree with Harvey. Before you go to expensive efforts by replacing the diamond, make sure you have good lateral movement. There is a screw on top at the narrow end of the reproducer. If you don't have good lateral movement, try to back this screw off a bit. If this doesn't help, a new stylus is probably in order. Jerry Blais

Harvey, you beat me to it. I don't know why I didn't think of it - it's happened to me so many times. The problems mentioned here can happen in any model diamond reproducer including disc reproducers. One thing not mentioned here that can occur in diamond b, c and d reproducers is restricted is stiff vertical movement of the stylus bar. Because the weight is diecast, the 2 "ears" that the stylus bar sits between can swell and severely restrict movement of the bar. The cure for this is to remove the bar and carefully file the inside surfaces of the "ears" until the stylus fits freely with VERY little to no side-to-side movement. You only have to take a few thousandths off each side, so use caution. File little, check often.
Note: if the stylus bar is pinched, you may need to carefully pry it out after removing the pin. They can be quite stubborn. If you are not sure of yourself, send it out for repair.

Jim

Thanks so much everyone. The problem is occurring on all cylinders. I'll check out the condition of the condition of the stylus and I'll check for vertical and lateral movement. Thanks for assist.