The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When I picked up the phonograph the guy played the record and it seemed to play ok. I even played a few 78s at my house just fine but now it seems like the needle isn't advancing or something because it just replays the same bit over and over. Any thoughts what it might be. It almost looks like the turntable is a little warped. Could that do it? Would it be something with the tone arm? I'm new to this so I don't even know where to start.

Thanks,
Andrea

Does the tone arm move freely back and forth? Up and down?

If it's repeating with different discs, the problem is most likely in the tone arm.

Yeah, it repeats on everything. I will look at the tone arm in the morning (I work nights). Think it could just use some lubrication? or would it be a bigger issue than that? They did have it stored in a shed when I went to pick it up.

Brandon, on playing with it, I think the back and forth sticks a little. It is not as fluid as the up and down so I shall try a good lube and hope that solves it.

It might be a pot metal issue- if you can get the arm apart sanding the part that goes into the base will fix it.

If you can't get the arm apart or don't want to risk breaking the pot metal, I had very good success lubricating it with Liquid Wrench dry silicone spray. The advantage of that product is that it creates a long lasting dry lubrication film inside the joints.
Andreas

Thanks Andreas, I think I will try that first as I hear all the horror stories about the pot metal crumbling.

Andrea

Yay the liquid wrench worked. No more repeating. Thanks for the tip.