The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everyone!

I’ve got an Edison Opera that I love. It runs great but the sound is off. There is a significant wobble in all the cylinders I play. When I play them on my amberola they sound fine. The mandrel spins fine and seems to be stable. There does seem to be some up and down motion in the reproducer as it tracks along the cylinder (or as the cylinder tracks beneath it). Any ideas? I can post come videos if it might be useful.

Thank you!

KCW

Search the board for "opera flywheel wire".

Yes, when I bought my Opera I was told it needed that wire that puts some tension on the mandrel so it doesn't wobble. If you can touch your mandrel and wiggle it easily, it probably doesn't have the essential wire spring. I had to buy the wire from a gun parts supplier.

Guitar string also works well.

There seems to be some motion in the mandrel. I can’t feel it when I touch but can see it when the cylinder spins. Also, there is definite motion in the reproducer as the mandrel spins. I’ll post a video later today. Thanks everyone for the advice. It’s such an incredible machine!

"Opera wobbling sound"---that's OK, it's only when the singing starts.

KCW wrote:There does seem to be some up and down motion in the reproducer as it tracks along the cylinder

KCW wrote:I can’t feel it when I touch but can see it when the cylinder spins. Also, there is definite motion in the reproducer as the mandrel spins.

If you're referring to the reproducer weight moving up and down as the cylinder is rotating on the mandrel then it sounds like the cylinder is slightly out of round. Presuming you're playing an Edison Blue Amberol cylinder it's possible that some of the plaster core is missing(?) or the cylinder was pressed slightly off center. This would definitely create a vertical motion with the reproducer weight during mandrel rotation. And if the vertical motion is severe enough the sound will be impacted. The diamond stylus could also dig into the surface of the cylinder (yikes) during the highest surface rotation of the cylinder just as a Diamond Disc reproducer diamond stylus will do during play of a disc that has a high side (an unintentional factory warp). If this happens cylinder play will likely hang at that spot -so- not a good idea to play (severely) out of round cylinders. All of this, of course, presumes that your mandrel is rotating almost perfectly true. The ideal position for the weight is to be centered within the limit loop during play.

Now, if you're hearing a flutter during play that's a different animal. As mentioned above, the cause is likely a missing spring balance wire that is inserted through one side of the flywheel, through the mandrel shaft and finally back through the other side of the flywheel. The importance of having the correct spring wire is vital to proper play and enjoyment of the Edison Opera mechanism.

Look forward to seeing and hearing your video.

Doug

There is a definite wobble in the sound. I don’t think it’s the cylinder because it’s every one I play and when I play them on my Amberola they sound fine. I took a few videos and would love any feedback. Where can I find the flywheel spring? Thanks for your help!

Looks like I’ve found the flywheel spring. One issue though - how does one remove it? It seems like it is held in tension. Not sure the is the issue, but I could always remove it and make it more flexible and see. Thanks for any advice!

It's just a wire so should pull through using pliers to hold it.
However, if the wire is present it's probably not the cause. In that case it's more likely the governor weights are out of wack, so the governor isn't spinning evenly and smooth.