Edison C-250 needle question

[shamrok99]

Hi,

Sorry for this, I'm sure it's a stupid question. I recently purchased a Edison C-250 at an auction, I was not really looking for an antique phonograph, but the price was too good to pass up, I figured I would learn about it. When I put a record on, and pull the lever to lower the needle arm, The needle does not reach the record, It's about a hair away from reaching the record.

So my stupid question is, do I need to make some sort of andjustment to the Needle arm to make it reach the record or needle itself. Sorry and thanks.

[bobacker]

I thought early here you were talking about your motor wasn't working?
Here best thing to do.. is go to this website and read up on it. pretty much will tell you how to adjest your motor and fine tune your player www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/ddmanual.html
It should explain how to adjest your phonograph.

[martinola]

There's nothing stupid about trying to figure something out. Asking for help is also smart. I just hope I don't give stupid advice. ;D

It's a little hard to say without seeing it. Pictures of the turntable and reproducer in playing position would help to nail down whether it's a reproducer issue or a reproducer height adjustment issue.

Wyatt Markus (restorer of phonographs and reproducers) has a website with a link to a Diamond Disk manual which covers the height adjustment issue.
Here is that link:
www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/ddmanual.html

The rest of his website is pretty interesting and informative as well.
Here is that link:
www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/phonoguy.html

The C-250 is a great machine. Aside from the Edisonics, they were the sonic top of the line for Edison disc machines. (There were more expensive machines, but they used the 250 horn and motor.) I have a C-19 (which is the post 1919 version) and I love it. Once you work through its issues, I think you'll find it's one of the best sounding acoustic machines. Keep us updated and good luck.

Best Regards,

Martin

[sonnyphono]

I agree that the C-250 machines can sound really nice when properly cleaned and adjusted. Wyatt's information is a great place to start and is a great source for help.

As for the stylus problem at hand, like Martinola said, it is tough to know what is going on without seeing a picture of it or seeing it in person.

Diamond Disc machines can sound amazing. While working on this project you may find that the reproducer needs to be rebuilt. Old gaskets harden and the moving components on a reproducer tend to freeze or at least be limited in their mobility due to dust and grease build up over the years. Having it rebuilt is probably the most important thing to have done to both improve the sound and ensure that you don't damage Diamond Discs while playing them with a damaged reproducer.

If yours does in fact need rebuilt, I would be happy to help out if need be. We have been working on developing a new diaphragm for DD reproducers and offer them for installation with our thorough rebuild service. You can find out more about them here:

forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7019

Congrats on the new machine! There are some very knowledgeable people in this hobby who are always willing to help out however they can. If you get a chance, post a few pictures...would love to see your C-250 as they are one of my favorite phonographs.

[shamrok99]

Thank you all for the advice and information. Yes Bobacker, My last question was about the moter not working. After some information was given to me from a member here, I was able to correct that problem, and now the turntable turns very well..

Of course, I was very happy to try a record on it, now that its turning, and to my surprise the needle didn't reach the record. I'm sure the information provided to me today will help me find the problem. Thank you all for you help....

[gerald]

Are you trying to play an Edison record or a thinner record such as a Victor?