The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Saw this at an antique mall. This reproducer is on a swan phonograph, and can play laterally and vertically cut records. Can anyone tell me what the piece in the middle is for?

(I added the picture again, for whatever reason it didnt upload the first time)

Thanks
Martin

We need a little bit of a hint. I think that you forgot your picture.

That is an attenuator, used to dampen the volume.

Hi Martin,

The small thumb screw will move the inner ring closer and further from the diaphragm. This causes the tone to be adjustable(somewhat) and softens the volume as stated above.

Here are a couple of pictures to demonstrate the movement of that inner ring.

Here's an advertisement from the July 15th, 1922 addition of the Talking Machine world.

(The one at the antique mall looks like something got stuck in the needle bar.)

Neat ad Benjamin. I love how it says, "The Jewel Mute controls the volume just like the human throat." My samsung blueray 4k surround sound controls volume too, but not sure if its "like the the human throat"