The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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

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

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?

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?

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.

I initially though the reproducer was the issue.

paradroid1793 wrote: Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:03 am 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.

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

paradroid1793 wrote: Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:07 am 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.

Straight 30 Weight. Thanks, JerryVan.