The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A picture of the motor of the only Edison model with the spring above the bedplate. I was impressed by the heavy Opera-style motor cover. If I had read my Frow before buying, maybe I would have passed. This was not a motor liked by Edison, and the model was only made for 5 months. It plays with a pronounced wobble! Any suggestions for fixing? Thanks very much from Mayne Island, B.C., Canada.

False alarm, or, sometimes a wobble is not a wobble. Turned out the reproducer could not swivel left and right. Once I freed it, the machine plays quite nicely. Some delicate touches on it. I just have to remember that up is down for the needle raiser.

It'a good that you figured it out!
Sometimes you need to ask the question to come up with a solution.

James.

Looks like a nice original Amberola VI model A. As interesting as this model was with their unusual motor design, these were (and remain) notoriously noisy motors. I have three of these Amberola VI model A's. Thankfully mine have very acceptable motor noise. But I've heard many that sound almost like chain saws idling. They are indeed nice playing phonographs.

Doug

My motor is pretty quiet. But is there a source for unworn gears? I am not even sure which gear is considered the problem. Frow says many of these models have been found with a spare gear. Perhaps the only case where Edison felt remorse.

I agree that the Amderola VI is, acoustically, a very good machine for it's size.

The real problem is the motor. Not only is it noisy (although I have heard worse, Gems particularly) I have found it is also tempramental.

Mine will play beautifully for months, then it seems to throw a fit and runs slowly/fast/flutters then a few days later returns to normal. I don't understand it!

Regards

Tim W-W

The on-off switch is finicky if not problematic. I bent mine -- on purpose -- to fit better in the slot on the cover. But then it contacted the governor at high speed. The needed bend was more challenging than I realized at first.