New amberola 30 project

[dzavracky]

Well it arrived today! Nothing broke during shipment so I’m real happy about that. I wanted to see what I could do before I needed help so here’s what I’ve done so far

I cleaned the case and lid. Still needs more cleaning though, but it was a good first clean. I clean all the metal parts and tried assembling it. I think I got the underside together correctly but I’m totally lost on the top part. I know I’m missing pieces and I have no idea which ones and what they are called, so if you see something you know is missing please tell me


I’ve taken pics of the parts I don’t know where they go. Let me know what you guys think!

How do I reattach the needle to the bar? The needle seems red to me

[fran604g]

The first thing that jumps out to me is your use of the word "needle". There is no needle used, but instead a diamond stylus which would be an integral part of the reproducer "stylus bar".

I think you should be able to find images of an Amberola 30 motor on the forum with a thorough search.

Do your due diligence and you should be fine.

Best of luck,
Fran

[VanEpsFan1914]

It's in better shape than I thought it was from the pictures earlier!

As far as pictures I am in the end of finals now but will get you some photos in a day or two of an Amberola taken apart. Mine needs a brake pad and some more oil anyway. The top works on them is very different than a Standard or Home. The governor rides up top, the mandrel shaft doesn't turn, and everything must be just right.

Whatever you've started doing to clean motors has worked great. Did you try your hand at fixing the spring?

[dzavracky]

The first thing that jumps out to me is your use of the word "needle". There is no needle used, but instead a diamond stylus which would be an integral part of the reproducer "stylus bar".

I think you should be able to find images of an Amberola 30 motor on the forum with a thorough search.

Do your due diligence and you should be fine.

Best of luck,
Fran

Yeah I know I meant diamond sorry

[dzavracky]

The spring isn’t broken, but I do want to clean the old grease off it and regrease it.

Do I just use a screwdriver to pop off the cap?

[Curt A]

One thing that is apparently missing is the wood-grained metal grill for the cabinet and some burnt orange grill cloth...

[JerryVan]

The red stylus is in fact something that someone has wired onto the original stylus bar. It will never work and needs to just be removed. You need a new Edison stylus.

You're doing a great job so far! Keep it up and keep asking questions.

[dzavracky]

Update time:


I put all the parts I have where they are supposed to go (at least as far as I can tell from pictures)

I’m missing some parts tho, some screws, the grill grate and the grate above the horn, the spring to hold the horn up.
Can someone send a good pic of the governor assembly? I was having difficulty getting it together. The mandrel rod is bent downward and I can’t remove it. How do I get it out without breaking the casting?

As noted, the needle was definitely wrong. I took apart the reproducer and the diaphragm is warped. I know Mr. Marcus doesn’t make Amberola 30 ones, does anyone know who does?

Here’s some more pics

[Lucius1958]

My initial reaction to the first photo was, "what the HONK is that bent threaded rod?!"

On further reflection, I guess the crank was missing, and somebody jury-rigged a replacement.

Some other observations: the spring that holds the half nut seems to be broken; and you're also missing the gear cover that goes over the governor.

My 30 is somewhat earlier; but shouldn't there be a nut holding the mandrel shaft on?

As for the stylus, have you asked Wyatt? I seem to recollect styli for the Amberola reproducers being available. Suppliers should also have the horn suspension spring.

(TIP: for best sound quality, the connections to the horn should be insulated: that involves inserting a felt or leather washer between the horn pivot and its slot; putting rubber tubing over the hook on the horn,; and sheathing the spring itself in rubber).

Here's to a successful restoration of this little beauty!

- Bill

[dzavracky]

My initial reaction to the first photo was, "what the HONK is that bent threaded rod?!"

On further reflection, I guess the crank was missing, and somebody jury-rigged a replacement.

Some other observations: the spring that holds the half nut seems to be broken; and you're also missing the gear cover that goes over the governor.

My 30 is somewhat earlier; but shouldn't there be a nut holding the mandrel shaft on?

As for the stylus, have you asked Wyatt? I seem to recollect styli for the Amberola reproducers being available. Suppliers should also have the horn suspension spring.

(TIP: for best sound quality, the connections to the horn should be insulated: that involves inserting a felt or leather washer between the horn pivot and its slot; putting rubber tubing over the hook on the horn,; and sheathing the spring itself in rubber).


Here's to a successful restoration of this little beauty!

- Bill

wow I didnt even think about that bent rod being a crank. I was trying to figure out what the hell it could go to but I was completely stumped! I won't wind it up though, I don't think it is ready to be wound up yet. I have not texted Wyatt yet, but I will tomorrow. I may just have him rebuild the whole thing. I know I am missing the cover, and I am not sure about the mandrel.

Cheers

David