The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey all. While working on my Edison Standard, I've been playing two records in particular, Gold Moulded cylinders, to test it out. I've noticed at the end of record, the last ten to fifteen seconds, after several plays, the ends of the cylinders are becoming slightly out of round and creating a "shhh-shhh-shhh" sound, and one has begun to deform where there are slight bits of the song missing where the stylus no longer touches the surface as it spins.

The records weren't in fantastic shape to begin with, but the deformation becomes more noticeable with each each few plays. I have a few other records in decent shape, but want to refrain from playing them much until I find out what this phenomena is.

Does anyone know if this is a common problem with older wax records? I have an Albany Indestructible that has been played many, many times with no change in shape. If it is a problem, is there anything I can do to prevent it, or perhaps even reshape the ends of the records?

Thanks for the help

If it is a Standard Model-C or later, there may be a bend in the shaft which the mandrel is mounted on. This will cause the record to come closer then farther away with each turn of the mandrel, with the very end of the mandrel moving up and down the most. Just a guess? Bob S. (Zwebie)

I'm guessing not a problem with your records but rather a slightly bent mandrel shaft and/or the diaphragm linkage in your reproducer is not allowing enough play. Probably most noticeable on wax records as they would deteriorate more quickly under such circumstances. Defnitely not normal and best to solve the problem before possibly damaging any good records...

Valecnik wrote:...or the diaphragm linkage in your reproducer is not allowing enough play.

I checked the mandrel, and because my model has an end gate with a centering pin, it was pretty solid and spun nice and evenly. So this seems a more likely case. Is there a way to adjust anything on a reproducer? I know there is a screw on the carriage, but I always thought that was just to hold the reproducer in place. I suppose I'll also check the play of the weight on it. It's a Model C reproducer.