The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The Edison Home is up and running. It's sound is terrible. Give a listen to this clip

https://youtu.be/0iOqozu1pnc

and tell me what you think. Is it the cylinder? The stylus? The diaphragm? Something else? It ought to sound better than this.

bangster

I think ether the gaskets are shot or the ring on the back is to tight.

Any other opinions? I'd like to hear from more than one, please.

bangster

I hear more problems than just hard gaskets. I cannot see enough details in the video though.

Which model of reproducer is that? Using the wrong-size (oversize) stylus could cause mistracking and the indistinct sound.

It looks like you are playing a 4-minute Blue Amberol record. Is the 2/4 minute speed clutch pulled out to track the pitch of 4-minute records?

Have you examined the stylus under a high-power (10-20x) loupe to be sure it seems intact?

Does the floating reproducer weight seem to have free lateral movement within the confines of the pin-limit loop?

Is the carriage feed nut adjusted to track the feed screw reliably?

Hard gaskets or a loose gasket ring will cause a buzzing, rattling or blasting sound. An over-tight gasket ring will reduce the volume and also cut the lower frequencies.

Sounds like a stylus problem to me..

I would check the stylus for damage, and also check the pivoting of the stylus onto the cylinder.

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

What means "check the pivoting of the stylus onto the cylinder"?

It's a type O reproducer--different styli for 2 and 4 min. Yes, the drive is set to 4 min.

Do you hear the same problems if you try to play a 2-minute cylinder with both the stylus and drive gear properly set?