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A couple of you pointed out the issues with the swivels. I had previously nudged the swivel block to make sure it moved, which it did, begrudgingly, and I thought that was good enough. So I (unfortunately) became focused on the stylus.

Wyatt saw my video posted elsewhere and pointed out that he could see the swivel block was seized. I made a right angle screwdriver out of a paint can opener, disassembled it, cleaned it up and oiled it so it swiveled freely. All those records I was tempted to toss now work very nicely. The power of these groups always amazes me. I am new to DD machines and DD reproducers. Thanks to Wyatt's keen eye, and the help of a couple of posters here, my problem is solved and I now know they need to be very free in movement. Thanks to all who helped.
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I picked up my first Diamond Disc Phonograph today, a Model LU-37, with about 40 records. I cleaned it up and oiled what I could see and it works very well. However, while about 7 of the records sound flawless (or at least decent), the balance (while showing minimal damage) sound warbled and skip around and certainly are not tracking correctly.

Here is a pic of the stylus. The way it floats a bit leads me to believe it is on the worn side, though I am no expert and am looking for opinions. Other than that, I have about 35 records that look good but don't play right. A couple of them look very lightly played and still float. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has a DD and while I am obsessive about cylinder players, I just plan to keep one of these around. Are there any replacement styli out there at a reasonable cost?

Video of problem playing with most records: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l6-JCahCu6g

Video of 1 of 7 records that play well or at least decently. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jaNOnYmFt9k

What do you exactly mean by float? Is the tracking feed screw engaging properly to tack the record as it plays? Is the reproducer weight sufficiently loose to swing to either side of the limit pin? When the reproducer is set to land the stylus at the beginning of the record, is ithe limit pin properly centered?

Please be more specific. If the record sounds fine for the first 7 seconds, I do not think it is a worn stylus.

Hi- One thought--
Check the pivot point on the reproducer--where the weight attaches to the main body-- That connection must move freely to allow lateral movement of the weight/stylus-

Brad Abell

outune wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:28 pm Hi- One thought--
Check the pivot point on the reproducer--where the weight attaches to the main body-- That connection must move freely to allow lateral movement of the weight/stylus-

Brad Abell

Most of the tracking issues I have experienced are related to this pivot not swinging back and forth freely. Also check that the limit pin on the other side is centered in the loop when playing a record.

Wish I could post a video. But it is like it is playing 2 grooves at a time. Does the stylus look ok to you?

This may help ...
https://www.phonographs.org/do-it-yours ... eproducer/

James.

danohallaron wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 8:33 pm about 7 of the records sound flawless, the balance (while showing minimal damage) sound warbled and skip around and certainly are not tracking correctly.

Here is a pic of the stylus.

Zooming on the posted image of your reproducer does seem to reveal a flat spot on the tip of the reproducer stylus. That said, it remains very odd that "about 7 of the records sound flawless". A flat spot on an Edison Diamond Disc reproducer stylus should yield mediocre performance on any and all Diamond Disc records. So if 7 records play just fine with excellent sound then this suggests another problem. As mentioned above, and as with any Edison reproducer using a weight, assure that the weight limit pin is moving freely within (and as close to the middle of) the limit loop as possible when playing a record. And assure that the reproducer weight itself moves freely laterally. Slightly loosening the set screw on the reproducer "tail" usually results in free lateral movement of the weight. Finally, assure that the "comb" assembly inside the motor compartment that moves the reproducer across the record during play is functioning properly. If all of these check out perfectly on your phonograph and presuming the remaining records that are not playing correctly are in otherwise fine playing condition then it would seem that your problem lies within the reproducer and specifically the stylus. A video of the phonograph playing a portion of a record that plays excellent versus playing a record not so good would be very helpful. If you have a YouTube channel (or another online video platform) upload the video there and then you can share it here. I believe I saw a post from you on FB recently so you may also consider posting your issue there and upload the video to one of the phono groups directly from your computer or phone.

Doug

FellowCollector wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:30 am

danohallaron wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 8:33 pm about 7 of the records sound flawless, the balance (while showing minimal damage) sound warbled and skip around and certainly are not tracking correctly.

Here is a pic of the stylus.

A video of the phonograph playing a portion of a record that plays excellent versus playing a record not so good would be very helpful. If you have a YouTube channel (or another online video platform) upload the video there and then you can share it here. I believe I saw a post from you on FB recently so you may also consider posting your issue there and upload the video to one of the phono groups directly from your computer or phone.

Doug

Thanks Doug. Still getting the hang of the forum format. There are a lot of quite knowledgeable folks here. I'm glad to know we can link videos. Youtubes attached.

If the stylus has a flat spot on it, then replace it, that would also explain why it doesn't play the damaged record in your first video.

I say damaged because it appears it's been played with a steel needle on a non-Edison machine.
The white grooves (from what I can tell) indicates the bake-lite has been compromised.

The second record plays pretty well because it hasn't been damaged and the worn stylus is able to track it, but in my opinion, if you continue to play the good discs with that worn stylus , they will eventually be damaged.

Yes, that's what I'm looking to do. Not playing anything on this stylus, as my first inclination was just as you suggest. However, finding a stylus, especially reasonably priced, is not an easy task. I can install it myself, but not finding any for sale without installation. I've found several well-working machines for less than the cost of a stylus. You would think that with so many DD out there still, a supply would be available. Of course, that is true with the majority of antique machines, as I well know. Thanks for your input.