The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Question for the experts: do you let your spring-driven phonographs completely unwind after a listening session? I seem to recall many years ago seeing a Victor record sleeve talking about the use of the Victrola. It started off by saying something like " don't be afraid of wearing out the Victrola, it was made to be used regularly". It then went on to say that the spring should be allowed to unwind after playing allowing for better distribution of lubricant. I haven't been able to find that record sleeve to give actual quotes and am relaying on what I remember. It also mentioned using a new Victor needle for every play.
Thanks for any and all opinions,
Bryant Stott

I remember conversations on this topic in the past.

To an extent, it is probably true that spring motors were made for a lot of use... but we are approaching 100 years later on a lot of these machines.

I've heard some collectors say that they keep all their machines wound up all the time and have never had a problem.

I'd heard the majority of collectors say they let the spring wind down once they are done using the machine.

I would think it makes sense to let the spring wind down, not to keep all that stored up energy in the spring. ...and if you do keep your spring wound, you can risk an unwanted broken mainspring if you (or someone) goes to crank an already wound spring.

I'm sure there are more informed opinions then mine, but there is my two cents.

In some of their user's manuals, Victor advised that the springs be allowed to run down:





From -- http://www.nipperhead.com/old/vic10010.htm

I've gotten into discussions with other collectors about this who've insisted that it makes no difference whatsoever--apparently the Victor engineers were retards--but the one time I forgot to do it, and let my Victrola sit for a few months with fully wound springs, I ended up with bumping springs, and no amount of cleaning or re-greasing would make them stop. I eventually had to replace both springs.

Thanks, guys, I guess the old memory was pretty good after all!

Bryant Stott

I always let my springs wind down. I had the thought that maybe the spring would "get use" to being in the tight position after a while, and perhaps it wouldn't have as much power when used. Just my thoughts .

Aaron