Amberola 30- slows down when playing

[paradroid1793]

Hello Forum. My barn Amberola 30 seems to slow down when playing a record, however ONLY when the reproducer makes contact. I tried loosening the screws holding it and the feed screw for the tracking to little to no avail. What’s wrong?

See video


https://youtube.com/shorts/W94Egaw5x78? ... uB0do0Cpsi

[Lucius1958]

Well: how much work have you done on it? Have you cleaned and re-lubricated the motor and upper works? Have you cleaned & regreased the mainspring? Is the horn suspension spring in place? Is anything binding on the horn pivots? There are many factors that might cause a slowdown.
[Edit: I see, since you have a Diamond B reproducer on it, instead of a Diamond C, and not connected to the horn, that the last-mentioned issues are not applicable; but the others still remain. You'll need to get a Diamond C, though...]

- Bill

[paradroid1793]

Hey Bill, I recently purchased a Diamond C reproducer, since I was going to need one anyway- still no difference there though. I did notice the Diamond B had a very blunt point.

I tightened and loosened the tracking with little change, the whole unit was working fine about a month ago.

I'll try relubricating everything, but I've never done that before- what lubricant do you recommend?

[JerryVan]

This is not the frist time you've asked about this. Previously, an odd screw inserted in the mandrel oil hole was mentioned, among other things. After trying a few things you claimed to have it solved. What happened?

[paradroid1793]

Well I thought I had fixed it but it reverted back to doing it, frustatingly.

I removed the random screw in the oil hole, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

I think the next step will be to remove and lubricate everything.

[paradroid1793]

I initially though the reproducer was the issue.

[JerryVan]

Well I thought I had fixed it but it reverted back to doing it, frustatingly.

I removed the random screw in the oil hole, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

I think the next step will be to remove and lubricate everything.

You don't necessarily need to remove everything to lubricate it. Just place a light drop of oil at all bearings, gears, and the lead screw.

[paradroid1793]

Okay. Which oil do you recommend I use? I've never done this before.

[JerryVan]

Okay. Which oil do you recommend I use? I've never done this before.

Use any light oil, but not 3-in-1 oil, it's junk, (but still better than nothing... I suppose). The lawn care area of your local Walmart will have bottles of lawnmower engine oil, "Straight 30 weight". That would be great.

[paradroid1793]

Straight 30 Weight. Thanks, JerryVan.