Help with what #'s mean on DD's from a newbie

[rlsniderusa]

My husband made a purchase this morning at an estate sale of an Edison cc32 with every slot full of records: 34! $150 seemed a very fair price:) 

I've started a spreadsheet with the titles of all, but need some guidance of what the #'s mean. There are some without labels, the info directly imprinted on the disc and several with paper labels. I've done searches, but nothing extensive with info for the player or DD's. Thought it easiest to just ask. 

While I'm here, the cloth behind the grill has some holes in it and was wondering if anyone knows what type cloth was in the original so I can replace it. Seems maybe silk?

When we crank it up, it won't maintain the momentum. Guess for $150 can't complain, but any suggestions? Couldn't find anything in my search of how one runs....

 

[gibsonj]

Hello

Welcome to the Edison forum, and hope you enjoy your diamond disc. A couple of suggestions:

(1) the sluggishness of the machine is likely due to the works being gummed up with old grease and dust over the past years. A good cleaning and re-lubrication is almost always required. Mainsprings, in particular, can gum up with old grease. Sometimes, it's possible to add some new grease to the spring barrel ( it has a screw cap on the side to provide access), then wind it up to distribute the new grease with the old, let it run all the way down, then repeat. If this doesn't work to your satisfaction, then I'm afraid the spring barrel will need to be disassembled, the old grease removed, and new lubricant applied. This is not a job for a novice, as the mainsprings are extremely strong, and can cause injury if you're not extremely careful.

(2) apart from the mainspring, each of the bearing pivot points, particularly the governor pivots, need lubricating. Your machine should have oil tubes with caps beneath the turntable platter, that extend to the critical points. A few drops of light weight oil (like sewing machine oil) work well.

(3) your Edison is designed to ONLY play Edison diamond disc records. Playing 78s or other manufacturer acoustics will certainly destroy the records and potentially damage the diamond stylus.

(4) check your diamond stylus carefully to be sure it is not damaged. You can remove the reproducer from the horn by turning the knurled connector I think counterclockwise, and looking at the diamond using a jeweler's loupe to see any damage. The diamond should be tapered to a fairly sharp point. If not, it will not track the record grouves correctly, and damage the records. Sometimes, you can discover a damaged stylus by placing the reproduce in the runoff area at the end of a diamond disc, and watch for faint scratches and/or greyish residue that is left by the stylus. New diamonds are available, but fairly expensive at around $100-150 installed.

(5) regarding your questions about your diamond discs, the #'s you see on the labels and/or etched into the disc edge are the coupling numbers for identification. I can send you a spreadsheet containing the complete Edison matrix and coupling numbers, along with titles and artist information if you'll forward your email address in a personal message to me.

Hope this helps.

John

[rlsniderusa]

Thank you John, I appreciate any help you can give. I have already learned quite a lot since posting that request as I previously really knew nothing about the topic, just became interested when we acquired this phonograph. I'd appreciate you sharing your spreadsheet! You may send it to [e-mail]

We live in Texas; do you have any contacts in this area we could see if they could look at it?

[gibsonj]

I'm sending along some information in an email. Let me know if you don't receive.

John

[lucius1958]

The spreadsheet can also be found on the Talking Machine Forum (TMF)...

Should you be in need of a new stylus, you might check out the Bruce stylus (again, search for it on TMF): the Expert styli have fallen from favor, due to reports of disc damage...

BillS

[rlsniderusa]

John, those attachments are incredible resources!! I was wanting something explaining how it works, etc. The original owner's manual is priceless!! Bill, thanks for the advice. I had already found a spreadsheet I think on the TMF and found most of my discs there so am well on my way to my new obsession. 

[dhart5150]

Hi John!
I came across this and as I am also new to Edison's I was wondering if you could email that spreadsheet as well? I just inherited a small collection of records and I am looking for all the resources I can. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give. My email is [e-mail]. Be well!

Dou