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I just got an L reproducer for my Opera phonograph. I'm having a problem with the lifter mechanism for the weight on the reproducer. The lifter works fine when I use my Diamond A reproducer. But when I put on my new L reproducer, and I lower the lifter to play a green Amberol, the lever won't go down all the way. When I push the lever down with my finger, then it connects with the cylinder, but about half way through, it starts lifting away from the surface again. The only way I can play the whole record is by holding the lever down with my finger. My guess, after analyzing the problem, is that the lifter spring that is connected to the lifter on the post is too darn strong. That makes sense because the heavier weight on the Diamond A is able to overcome the strong spring, and the much lighter weight on the L reproducer is not. Any fixes or ideas? Is it just a matter of cutting off some of the length of the spring, which looks like it's jammed in there. Thanks, Marc.

It would appear that either the lifting paddle isn't descending enough, or, more likely, there is a problem with the lifting hook on the reproducer. On my Opera, there is a millimeter or two of clearance between the paddle and hook. However, on my IA, the paddle keeps contact with the hook, but it is always low enough to keep the hook in the middle of the limit loop. I'd start by checking that hook. Compare it with the one on your Diamond A. Also see this topic (I realize it's the opposite of the problem you are having, but it includes some great photos).

A green Amberol?

Chuck wrote:A green Amberol?

He probably means a wax Amberol which comes in a green box.

Does anyone know what would be the best way to weaken the spring that pulls up the lifter? Is there a way to adjust the tension, or do they sell replacement springs that would work with both the L and Diamond A reproducers?

I suspect it's not the spring inside of the horn support, but something else. If you weaken the spring, then your reproducer won't lift all the way which is an opposite but equally annoying problem. Perhaps the spring/tab under the lift lever isn't bent forward enough to keep it down? When I lower mine you can feel it "click" into place at the lowest position. I'll take the cover off of mine later and see if anything comes to mind.

I see, so you are saying it's not the weight of the reproducer that makes the stylus go down on the groove, but the leaf spring under the lift knob that could be at fault. Interesting, we will definitely check that too. But just to reiterate, it works fine when I use the Diamond A. My friend Mike has an Opera also and we are going to see if his L rep. has a problem on my Opera. So, on your OPera, when you push the lift knob down, does the lift paddle go all the way down? Thanks, Marc.

marcapra wrote:I see, so you are saying it's not the weight of the reproducer that makes the stylus go down on the groove, but the leaf spring under the lift knob that could be at fault. Interesting, we will definitely check that too. But just to reiterate, it works fine when I use the Diamond A. My friend Mike has an Opera also and we are going to see if his L rep. has a problem on my Opera. So, on your OPera, when you push the lift knob down, does the lift paddle go all the way down? Thanks, Marc.

When I lower my lift lever, the paddle descends fully, whether there is a reproducer attached or not. In fact, on both my L and my A, the paddle is not in contact with the reproducer at all when lowered into playing position. The weight of the reproducer is not what forces the paddle down, it is by mechanical action. Your A may be working by coincidence due to the A having a heavier weight on it, but that is not the intended operation. When you lower the lift lever on the front with no reproducer attached, does it go all the way down and stay there, or does it spring back up a little?

Oh no, when I push the lift knob down, the paddle only goes down half way. When I push the paddle down with my finger, it goes down another ½"! But when I remove my finger, it pops back up. I took the cover off of the lift knob to examine the leaf spring, and it looked like the leaf spring is for holding the reproducer up, not down, because that's when the leaf spring engages: when the knob is up. Now, I'm thinking the problem might be a weak link in the linkage between the lift knob and the lifter paddle. I know nothing about how the linkage works on these, or if it can be accessed or adjusted?

I took my Opera phonograph to Mike Sorter who also just bought an Opera. That was ideal because we could try to rule out the L reproducer as the cause of the problem by substituting his L. And sure enough, his L worked fine on my Opera!!! So we knew it must be a problem with my reproducer. We found by comparing the two L's that my 'C' hook was crooked and a little bent. So using vise clamps and pliers, Mike bent the 'C' hook so that it looked like his. Voila, problem solved!!!! My great thanks to Mike for offering to help fix this. Now I can play my newly acquired green Amberols! Marc.