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Post by newc19owner on Aug 24, 2008 14:17:51 GMT -5
I have been reading through the message boards and there is some very interesting information out here. I am so glad to see that there is a place to find some help.
I recently purchased an Edison C-19 phonograph (without really knowing what it was). I thought it could play 78s but found out quickly that it doesn't. I have about a dozen of the Edison 1/4" thick records and have really enjoyed listening to them.
...BUT - I am wondering about the needle. I found many pins that look like they could be needles in the case where the speaker is located. I have no idea how to change the needle or if I am supposed to change it at all. Can any of you help me with this?
I am also missing the damper (volume control). The original control and cable are in the case but whatever the apparatus was that did the actual volume control is missing. Can I find another easily? Where would you recommend I look?
Thank you in advance for any help you can give. Thanks!!!
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Post by neophone on Aug 24, 2008 15:54:48 GMT -5
NewC-19owner, The C-19 utilizes a semi-permanent diamond stylus. Unless it's chipped or worn it'll usually last a life time. What does the reproducer look like? Does it look like a downward facing vacuum cleaner nozzle. If it looks like that it doesn't take a steel needle. Check the diamond stylus under a strong magnifying glass for chips or wear. I'll bet the volume ball would be very easy to find. Regards, J.
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Post by newc19owner on Aug 24, 2008 16:13:34 GMT -5
Thank you very much! It looks just like the photo you posted and the limit pin is centered during play. I truly appreciate your help.
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Post by larryh on Aug 24, 2008 16:41:39 GMT -5
Welcome!!
I have a nice C 19 I am currently trying to fix the finish on slowly.. When its done it will be very nice I am sure.
John was right, the needle is permanent and usually requires a complete sending of the reproducer to a specialist to replace it. One way to see if your possibly doing severe damage to your records is to set the needle down on the end of the record where its shiny and hopefully without lines in the finish. If you start the machine and let it make a number of revolutions of the record a reasonably good needle will not leave any sign of being there. If you see greyish or brownish lines where your needle just traveled you have a problem that needs attention lest you ruin your records. You might try that quickly to see where your at. Even with no line a 90 year old needle often is worn to the point where it will not play as clearly as it should. Often that is difficult to determine if the records are a bit worn as well which they will be if the records are worn..
Ebay often has the motor board and horn with the mute for sale at not to bad a price. If you only needed a mute hopefully you could get the seller to toss the rest you don't want except the reproducer if it has one and not pay all that excessive shipping unless you want a pile of extra parts. You never know when you may need them.
Eventually you will want to change or have changed the gaskets in the diaphragm so as not to have hardened old ones which will tend to cause distortion or noise in the sound that shouldn't be there.
Good luck and let us know how it goes. What finish is your?
Larry
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Post by matty on Aug 24, 2008 16:42:44 GMT -5
The pins you found in the cabinet probably are steel needles used to play 78's, and would have been used with a special adapter available for edison machines. There were many different companies who made these 78 adapters, including Edison for a short time, most of which give reasonable sound quality. They often turn up on ebay etc, and it could be worth looking for one if you have ordinary 78's you'd like to play, but no room for a second machine. You do have to be careful buying them though, as most adapters were made entirely from pot metal, which swells & gets brittle over the years. I think the Kentone attachment no.2 is a good adapter, as they are a good sturdy design & use less pot metal than most other brands.
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Post by neophone on Aug 24, 2008 18:28:49 GMT -5
NewC-19owner, Larry reminds me-Don't play Diamond Discs that are seriously damaged. Brown grooves, lamination cracks deep chips or gouges can wreck the stylus. Give Phil O. site a gander: Regards, J.
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Post by newc19owner on Aug 25, 2008 8:14:24 GMT -5
Thank you all for the information. I will look into the adapter.
Also - the saddest part of my story - I purchased this lovely machine at an auction. The "helpers" put it in our truck for us and the front of the cabinet was unfortunately facing towards the front of the truck. They also said - "take out the key - you don't want to lose that" - so I did and didn't have the cover locked. We put a blanket over it and tied it down with 2 ropes - however, as we were carefully driving down the road the wind opened up the lid and pulled it off the machine. We heard a horrible sound and looked back to see the lid and the blanket on the road. Luckily it didn't do too much damage - but I was heart sick for the rest of the day. I am looking into having the case refinished because of the scratches to the top. It also looks like the original owners may have painted the case with a reddish color stain. There was a little dry glue showing on the back corner which looks very old... so I think they may have tried to fix some damage in the past.
I have wanted a victrola type player for a long time and am very happy with my purchase. I will be extremely happy once I get it in tip-top shape.
What is the metal of the reproducer made of, and what is the best way to clean it?
Thank you.
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Post by larryh on Aug 25, 2008 8:27:16 GMT -5
Sorry for your disaster in moving. The rear decorative parts on mine came off when we tried to slide it into the truck to move breaking some.. Not fun. The lid sound like even more problems but with some patience they most likely can be solved. Sounds as though you have the Red Mahogany version and either your seeing the old red stain, or someone was trying to patch some spots and put more on it? The reproducer is most likely gold in color. Not sure what the underneath metal is. Either Steel or Brass, not sure. Using a mild metal polish on it might be of benefit but I would try underneath where it doesn't show before working on the top to see how it goes. Cleaning the metal finish up and then a coat of paste wax usually is about all you can do short of having it re-plated which is probably not in the cards.
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Post by matty on Aug 25, 2008 8:34:40 GMT -5
Sad about the lid, though it could have been worse. Last time I moved mine I had it on our trailer. As I went around the corner at the lights, the rope snapped & my C19 went skidding across the intersection!
The reproducer is solid brass which has been gold plated. The plating is very thin so polishing can often remove the plating. I'd probably wipe it over with a damp cloth just to clean any dust etc from it. You could also try a jewelery cleaning liquid on cotton wool then rinsing it off with a damp cloth, but I'd avoid any regular polish with abrasives in it.
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ultona
Full Member
It's Not Easy Bein' Green
Posts: 164
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Post by ultona on Aug 25, 2008 9:24:22 GMT -5
You can also try gojo (the NON-pumice kind) on metal parts. Just be careful, as Shane says, too much can remove the gold altogether, but the gojo is pretty gentle. Go slowly!
Sean
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Post by neophone on Aug 25, 2008 13:41:15 GMT -5
NewC-19owner,
Gents, correct me if I'm wrong, the bright work is most likely coated in a layer of shellac so try cleaning with the GoJo or a damp cloth as Sean and matty said before taking a metal polish to it.
A sad story about the lid-however it reminds me of another phono moving adage! Never move a machine with the lid locked!
Regards, J.
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Post by martin1 on Aug 25, 2008 16:29:43 GMT -5
Hi newc19owner! Take heart about your lid problems. If you're willing to spend time & effort, most likely you'll be able to save the original lid and hide the damage. I've recently finished a long-term restoration of mine that had the same exact thing happen. In my case the entire hinge stayed with the the lid and took some of the backboard with it. When I got the machine somebody had used galvanized nails to cobble the mess back together doing even more damage. Good furniture clamps, glue, screws and Wood Epoxy can do wonders. Now, my formerly miserable old C19 is my 2nd favorite machine. (The Credenza is still #1.) Have fun! Best Regards, Martin
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