The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi -

I have a VV-50 that I recently acquired. It has played fine for the past 3 months. The last time I played it, I wound it up (not winding it any more that I usually do). There was no unusual noise when I wound it. Then, when I put the needle on the record the record slowed and stoped. I let it spin all the way down and the rewound it. The same thing happened. There is no noise when the turntable spins and it seems to spin at the same speed until I put the needle on the record. I'm hoping this is not a mainspring issue. But, I understand the 50 only has one mainspring. So, if it was broken, would the turntable even spin? Any help would be appreciated!

Can you carefully wind it fully where you actually reach a point where it will wind no more? Jerry B.

I guess the first questions might be:

What kind of record were you playing? I have had this happen with some records, particularly vinyl 78s like some MGM discs. The compound is just too soft.

Have you experimented to see if this also happens with other records?

Clay

Hi Jerry and Clay,

Thanks for the quick responses. I tried a couple of different records - Victor (acoustic) and another older Parlaphone. I am using a sapphire needle - but have always done that without a problem. Perhaps I should go back to a steel needle and see if there is the same result?

I have not tried to carefully wind it all of the way. If I do, is there something I should watch for that would indicate a problem?

Thanks,

Mike

Using a sapphire to play 78s with a heavy acoustic reproducer is a definite no-no - it has to be damaging your records. Been there, done that as a newbie. Your records may cause significant drag due to damaged grooves. Use steel needles only. If your records are really nice, you could also play them with bamboo needles, but worn or damaged records will grind down the bamboo point too fast.

If the spring is broken in the middle or far end where it attaches to the barrel, you may be able to wind it up part way before it slips and offers no increase in winding resistance; the turntable may spin, but with a loss of torque.

Be sure the governor friction pad has been lubricated with a drop of light non-gumming oil.

Since the machine was sitting for a few months, I suggest that you give the motor a complete lubrication. I have several machines that have been sitting and before I play records on it, I lubricate the motor. That usually does the trick.
Harvey Kravitz

It is strongly recommend that you do not use a sapphire needle on acoustic records. Most acoustic records were made by an etching process, which leaves a rough finish to the groove walls. Therefore, the abrasive nature of those records will prematurely wear the tip of jewel. In addition, the hard jewel will be removing material from the groove walls. They simply are not compatible. Electric recordings were made with a cutting type needle which leaves a smooth finish to the groove walls, and those can handle the jewel tip as long as the combined tone-arm and reproducer weight is not too heavy. You should also check to be sure the needle angle is correct, it should be about a 20 degree angle (from vertical).

Only the early Berliner records were made by the etching process. The process was abandoned early on with the advent of Eldridge Johnson's wax recording process which yielded a far quieter surface than the etching process. Acoustic disc records from at least 1900 on were made with a specialized cutting stylus. The difference between acoustically and electrically recorded discs is the method of getting the sound waves to the recording stylus. In acoustic recording a horn is used to focus the sound waves onto a diaphragm on the cutting head and in electrical recording a microphone is used to convert the soundwaves to a varying voltage which is electronically amplified and used to drive the cutting head.

Jim

Thanks, everyone! Awesome advice. I will ditch the sapphire and go back to steel. I'll also open the machine and give it a lube. Hopefully, that does the trick. I'll keep you posted.