Need help identifying this machine [Empire Co.]

[Songbird]

Hello all. I am a brand new member here, and would like to start off by saying that I have absolutely no experience with talking machines, although they do interest me very much. I recently discovered this little gem buried in my basement, and played around with it only to discover that it was actually in working order. However, after hauling it up several flights of stairs up to my room on the third floor of my house, it suddenly stopped working properly. By that I mean when I drop the needle on the vinyl, it pushes down so hard that it scratches the disk and stops it from spinning.

Anyway, I'm hoping someone with a little more experience can troubleshoot my issue, or at least point me to somebody who can.

Cheers, all!

[Jerry B.]

It's important to use new needles and age appropriate 78rpm records. Some of the late 78s are softer and will drag down a motor. Jerry Blais

[Songbird]

It's important to use new needles and age appropriate 78rpm records. Some of the late 78s are softer and will drag down a motor. Jerry Blais

Thing is, it worked while it was in my basement, and for a little while after I brought it upstairs. It only just recently started doing this.

[Jerry B.]

Before I play something that has been idle for decades, I oil each end of the governor, oil the governor pads that regulate speed and a bit of oil on the governor shaft. Next, I'll wind it a bit and let it run down and do this a few times. At some point, I'll give it a good winding. I am cautious but as some point, you'll reach the end and it will have a full winding. If you have a spring problem the crank will turn with very little resistance if the spring is broken or unhooked on the inside. In this case, the machine will not play a record. If the spring is broken near the end, it will wind but at some point you'll hear a rumble where the spring slips past itself. A motor in this condition will play part of a record and will give the appearance of working but there is a problem and the spring should be replaced. Of course it is possible to have a tired spring resulting in a weak motor.

When you wind your machine, do you reach a full winding?

If you ever attempt to work on a spring motor you MUST let the motor run completely down. Jerry Blais

[Lucius1958]

Hi: I'll second Jerry's advice on both counts, and add that the spring(s) may need cleaning and regreasing. If you're getting any 'thunks' from the motor, that's a sign that the old grease is no longer doing its job.

As to ID, it looks like an 'Orthophonic' knock-off, produced by any of a vast number of companies in the late '20s...

-Bill

[rizbone]

You also need to change the needle with each play.

[John Svensson]

Is there a photo of this machine posted somewhere I missed? Also, you're not really playing vinyl, right? John

[estott]

Nice machine, I'd say 1926-1929. Made by a small company to imitate the general appearance of the Victor Orthophonic Victrolas.

As others have said you'll need new needles for this, easy enough to get on Ebay. The record on the turntable is far too new for the machine and won't work properly- you'll need shellac records- the kind that break- and to be proper for the machine they should be no later than the early 30's. You can play your 40's Big Band records on this but won't get the best results- they're just too loud for it.

[mattrx]

It appears in the pics that some of the records may be Edison Diamond discs. If any of your labels say Edison, do not play them of this machine. They will be ruined.

There are many sources for new needles on eBay, I have had good results from Walt Sommers' needles http://stores.ebay.com/gettysburgantiquephonographs .

[m0xiemama]

It appears in the pics that some of the records may be Edison Diamond discs. If any of your labels say Edison, do not play them of this machine. They will be ruined.

There are many sources for new needles on eBay, I have had good results from Walt Sommers' needles http://stores.ebay.com/gettysburgantiquephonographs .

why can I not see pictures?