The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had my great grandparents’ Edison Home Model B restored a year and half ago and have enjoyed it immensely. I do think the sound quality of the 4 minute reproducer has declined over this time although not the point where there is an echo indicating that it needs the diaphragm rebuilt.

And the 2 minute reproducer sounds better than 4 minute one.

I read somewhere that the sapphire stylus can get worn and a jeweler can rotate it once or twice. Has anyone had this done? Can most any jeweler do it?

Burt68 wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2023 5:09 pm ... not the point where there is an echo indicating that it needs the diaphragm rebuilt.

Echo is caused by a worn stylus, not a diaphragm.

So do you replace it or turn it and how/who?

Burt68 wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 5:38 am So do you replace it or turn it and how/who?

Either way.

As to how, I've not done it myself so I won't give what's probably bad advice on technique. As to who, either Steve Medved or Wyatt Markus. Others may have their contact info, or perhaps you can find and communicate with them through this forum.

I used to rotate my own 2 and 4 min. styli but I can’t do it any more - old eyes and not so steady any more. Besides the two gentlemen mentioned by Jerry Van, Eric Reiss details how to do it in his book “The Compleat Talking Machine”.

Here is the contatct information for Wyatt Markus. Does great work and turns things around quickly!

Burt68 wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 5:38 am So do you replace it or turn it and how/who?

If you need to do it yourself what I've done (and what I've been told to do when speaking to Wyatt in regards to tips/tricks) is to use a soldering iron to heat up the stylus bar and remove the original stylus with tweezers. Use denatured alcohol or some sort of cleaning fluid to remove old shellac from the stylus bar, then reinstall the stylus with glue or an adhesive. I've done it on my Edison model H and model C and both times I've used super glue to reattach the stylus. Works perfectly. Just don't put too much glue on it or else you'll get muffled sound.