The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just got it today. Played one song on it and once it reached the end I haven't been able to figure out how to push it back. The needle is raised but I can't push it back. Is the spring preventing me from moving it back?

I'm using a junker to illustrate what I think the issue is... James.

Doesn't the horn swivel on these? I would check that also.

Thank you. The only time it moves properly is when it's not on the spring. When it's on the spring it's very difficult to move it without it making a zipping sound and jamming on the spring. I always have to manually move it by disengaging it. The horn swivels with it.

Another problem is the cylinder that came with it that's on the machine. I can't seem to remove it even when I push the carriage all the way to the right. I tried pushing hard with no luck.

I like James' photos. When the needle is off the record is the half nut disengaged? If so, you should be able to move the carriage to the left. If you can't, you have a binding problem. Is your mechanism clean? Is there a bit of oil on the carriage rod? Is there a bit of oil on the neck of the reproducer where it meets the horn? Is the little spring connected from the top of the horn to the underside of the mechanism. There is a guide at the bottom of the horn opening. The horn on a 30/50/75 rocks back and forth. Is that assembled correctly?

Whatever you do, DO NOT remove the mandrel or move the mandrel to the right when there is spring tension. There should be a little collar that prevents removal of the mandrel. If that collar is missing, be very careful.

Jerry Blais

Do you have the reproducer front slide rod well oiled?!?!? If not, The Reproducer carriage on the 30/50/75 tend to bind up as they slide across the rod as they play. Make sure that the reproducer front slide rod is well oiled It is the front rod that goes through the front of the Reproducer carriage. While you are at it, Put some oil on the rear Feed Screw rod as well for proper operation. Do all this and report back with your results...

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/ Restorer

That's a good looking Amberola 30. When it was shipped was there packing on the inside under the lid to prevent the carriage and horn from moving around? Was it shipped with the record on the mandrel? Jerry

Judging by your pics...You have a Late Series 1 Amberola 30 (Circa 1916 approx.)

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/ Restorer

Jerry B. wrote:That's a good looking Amberola 30. When it was shipped was there packing on the inside under the lid to prevent the carriage and horn from moving around? Was it shipped with the record on the mandrel? Jerry

Yes, there record was on the mandrel. There was some packing under the lid, not much.

Jerry B. wrote:I like James' photos. When the needle is off the record is the half nut disengaged? If so, you should be able to move the carriage to the left. If you can't, you have a binding problem. Is your mechanism clean? Is there a bit of oil on the carriage rod? Is there a bit of oil on the neck of the reproducer where it meets the horn? Is the little spring connected from the top of the horn to the underside of the mechanism. There is a guide at the bottom of the horn opening. The horn on a 30/50/75 rocks back and forth. Is that assembled correctly?

Whatever you do, DO NOT remove the mandrel or move the mandrel to the right when there is spring tension. There should be a little collar that prevents removal of the mandrel. If that collar is missing, be very careful.

Jerry Blais

I'm not sure if it's well oiled or not. But the half nut does disengage when it's off the record. Should I oil everything you listed?

I just got this and I don't know anything about amberolas. So I don't know what the mandrel is. Is that what the cylinder sits on? Are u saying there's a collar that prevents removal of cylinders on the mandrel?

I'm gonna try to look for this spring

TONY wrote:Do you have the reproducer front slide rod well oiled?!?!? If not, The Reproducer carriage on the 30/50/75 tend to bind up as they slide across the rod as they play. Make sure that the reproducer front slide rod is well oiled It is the front rod that goes through the front of the Reproducer carriage. While you are at it, Put some oil on the rear Feed Screw rod as well for proper operation. Do all this and report back with your results...

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/ Restorer

What kind of oil do you suggest I use? Do you mean the rod that's inside the horn? What is the rear Feed Screw rod? I'm sorry for not knowing these things.

Yes, The mandrel is what the cylinder sits on.. You just slide the record on and off when you want to put it to use, but just make sure that it is snug before you start playing the machine or it will skip..

Check out the original Amberola 30/50/75 Instructions below. Something no Amberola 30 owner should be without!

Download the pics and READ THEM. Blow them up in any .jpg viewer. They will help you a lot!!!

Also, Take some more pics of the machine including its dataplate. It will be interesting to see the rest of the machine..

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/ Restorer