The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi,
As a new user of an HMV 101, I’ve noticed that the soundbox rotates slightly, so that the needle can point vertically downwards, or be oriented at an angle of about 25 degrees or so towards the direction of rotation.
Can anyone explain why this is, and what orientation should be used for playing ?
Thanks

Orientation should be 25 degrees while playing. When rotated to vertical, you should be able to pull the reproducer off of the tone arm. That's how it's removed.

Ah that’s great, thank you. Makes complete sense now.

Welcome RW and enjoy your 101!

A very good machine to start with... You'll enjoy its beautiful sound if properly adjusted. These machines are sturdy, reliable, easy to maintain or repair, you have thousands of spare parts, and has a great sound with good bass... Welcome to the hobby!

Hello!
The correct playing angle between the needle & the record is about 60 degrees.

Regards

This way...
The no4 soundbox on the 101 gramophone is a bit more vertical than this photo, but you'll catch the idea. As some other colleague said, if you rotate the soundbox to vertical as far as it will go, then you can extract the soundbox from the tonearm, you'll see that it has an internal pin on the neck, which enters into a L shaped groove in the tonearm. That's the way it gets engaged in the tonearm when you reinstall the soundbox. First press straight, then rotate clockwise as far as it will go (when seen from the front mica glass of the soundbox, the vibratory diaphragm that produces the sound).

Yes

Thank you. Sorry I wasn’t clear - I was stating the angle between the needle and the vertical!