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Post by jeeprod on Apr 9, 2014 21:59:11 GMT -5
Is there a 3 or 4 ball governor available for an amberola 30? I have had the spring replaced, I have new springs on the feed end of the mandrel, I have the correct spring holding up the horn, the feedscrew is in good shape, but it is painful to listen to. It sounds just a little too shaky for a gear driven machine. It has been to repair shops in California and New England. I have spent far more than it's value in shipping and repair costs. I am willing to spend the money for a more robust governor before I dump it on Ebay. Is this just the nature of this model? Thanks in advance for any guidance offered.
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Post by lucius1958 on Apr 9, 2014 23:15:58 GMT -5
Here are a few suggestions from the Edison Amberola manual:
"One of the principal ailments phonographs are subject to is the varying tone pitch… known as flatting.
This is caused by:
1. - Lack of lubrication, i.e., dry bearings.
2. - Friction caused by a too tightly adjusted bearing.
3. - Drunken governor.
Remedy:
1. - A thorough oiling.
2. - See that all adjustable bearings… are set so as to allow a trifle of end play…
"Loosen the feed screw pivot set screw and give screw a trifle of end play…
"The felt cushions will not have a uniform effect upon the friction disc if they become clogged with dirt and gummy grease. They should be cleansed … with benzine (my note: naphtha will do as well) and lubricated…
"The small bearing(s) at (the) end(s) of the governor shaft should be oiled frequently… Make sure the shaft turns freely in these bearings. A new shaft would be required if the ends become rough through lack of sufficient oil…
"An unpleasant tremble in the music may be caused by neglect to oil the bearings of the (mandrel)… From time to time oil should be dropped in (the) oil hole(s) of the (mandrel) bearing(s)…
"A governor which becomes wabbly or unbalanced usually makes a whirring sound and runs unsteadily. To repair loosen slightly, not more than 1/4 of a turn, the two small screws at the end of the governor spring. Then let the motor run down, and the governor weights generally will spin themselves into balance…. You may find it necessary to loosen… the two screws at the other end of the… spring. When the governor has whirled itself into adjustment, tighten the screws again.
"If this method should fail, hold the point of a pencil or a piece of chalk against the weights while they are running… to determine which weight is running … farther away from the center. Then raise the other… weight, very slightly with a small screw driver inserted between the spring and shaft."
I hope this helps.
BillS
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Post by jeeprod on Apr 10, 2014 21:44:49 GMT -5
Bill,
Thank you for the very helpful advice. This machine is only 2 weeks back from it's most recent repair job. I stripped it down, gave a little play to all the bearings, and presto! It sounds better than I remember in years. I did notice that the governor yoke and pads are a little sorry looking, so I will call up Wyatt's in the morning and order up a new one. I took the governor all apart and do not like the fact that one of the springs is a little bent and does not quite sit plumb with the other one. I think I may also buy 2new gov springs. This will be a cheap fix.
I played several cylinders, some fast paced tunes, and a slow and somber Christmas tune. Why not? It was nearly 100 today in Death Valley country. I am very happy with the way it sounds, but I think I might unwind and slip a good tune onto the Triumph and here what a Blue Amberol should sound like. Thanks again Rod
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Post by lucius1958 on Apr 11, 2014 1:11:23 GMT -5
You're welcome!
BillS
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Post by jeeprod on Apr 12, 2014 23:48:53 GMT -5
BillS I have thought over something all day. You mentioned....."from the Edison Amberol Manual"
I am wondering if this is just an expression, as in "That's what the book says" or something.
Is there indeed a book called the "Edison Amberol Manual"? if so, I would very much like one. If not,oh well, I just should have seen it a comin.. Rod
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Post by lucius1958 on Apr 13, 2014 2:57:20 GMT -5
I found the quotes in Ron Dethlefson's "Edison Blue Amberol Recordings - 1915-1929" (Mulholland Press), which has a great sample of Edison literature from that period.
The previous volume, covering the 1912-1914 period, is also a great resource for record release dates: definitely worth the price!
BillS
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Post by refseries on Apr 17, 2014 11:31:26 GMT -5
Couple of suggestions. Firstly, make sure the governor weights are the same. I use a cheap electronic letter balance to weigh them, then sand the heavier one(s) down to the weight of the lightest. Secondly, when reassembling the governor, ensure that the springs are all tightened up to the same length. The spring holes are slotted at one end, so I normally hold the weight and spring so that the latter is parallel to the shaft when tightening up the slotted end. This means the springs are the same length and therefore the weights are as balanced as you can get them. Use a light lubricant like sewing machine oil and your Amberola will run like a Swiss watch.
Good luck
Keith
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Post by jeeprod on Apr 28, 2014 21:19:51 GMT -5
Thank you, Keith. I have some heavier weights for a standard that I took to the lab at my workplace and weighed for balance, and installed them. The old weights were not positioned correctly, in spite of just having come back from the shop for a governor problem. The machine runs well now. Thank you for the tips on installation. Rod
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