Phonoland

OK, so that title is a bit over-dramatic, but i'm very happy.

So, some of you know about my Edison LU-37 Diamond Disc player. It was my first ever phonograph and had a reproducer in pristine exterior condition, beautiful and shiny... but I had sent it to get rebuilt and have been playing it as such ever since.

So, I got a pretty good deal on CL for another Diamond Disc player plus a library of 150 records. (I was more excited about the records) ...but when I got home, this "new" player sounded significantly louder, crisper, clearer. (even though the reproducer is rusted and shotty looking)

First I thought maybe I got shafted on my reproduction repair. I swapped the bottom halves of the reproducer. Each reproducer sounded still the same. (MAN ALIVE WHAT A PAIN IT IS GETTING THAT LOOP CONNECTED TO THE DIAMOND STYLUS)

So, I really wanted my nice reproducer to give me the sound this ugly reproducer was producing!

So, I went for it. I *carefully* swapped the "guts". ...and that did it! It is absolutely amazing how the 80 or so year old original diaphragm sounded 10x louder/crisper/clearer than the similar looking but obviously not the same new reproduction.

So that's my story. Sorry to bore you.

Gee! I was getting all excited. I thought you'd scored an edisonic or dance reproducer

So who did the replacement diaphram?
Im surprised there would be such a huge difference. I bought a replacement diaphram off ebay from the seller Brisnake, and the difference in sound quality from Brian's and an original is very minimal. I have 3 machines-2 with original diaphrams, and one with the replacement. I've actually tested all 3 reproducers out on a friend, using the same machine & record, and he couldn't pick any difference between them. To someone who isn't used to listen to these sorts of records, they all sounded exactly the same.The volume is certainly the same.
Before I bought the replacement, I had made my own diaphram from cerial box cardboard, stiffened with shellac etc, but it was noticably quieter. I was so happy with Brian's diaphram's I ended up buying a couple more. They're very inexpensive, so one I'm even experimenting on to see if I can improve or alter the sound, by using the cork and button from an original. It's not quite finished, but I'll be putting it into a 4th spare reproducer. I might even attempt to cup it like an original. If it doesn't work out, I'll toss it, and just use another replacement as is.
I have heard on another board, that even original diaphrams/reproducers can vary greatly in volume & tone though, so maybe you've just been lucky enough to get one of those "perfect" ones.

BTW: I know what you mean about attaching the silk cord to the stylus. They can indeed be fiddly. It's worse though, when you break the cord in two! That's how I came to need a replacement for my 3rd reproducer in the first place

BTW again What model is the new edison phonograph? And have you checked it for goodies yet? 150 records at once is way cool!

shane wrote:Gee! I was getting all excited. I thought you'd scored an edisonic or dance reproducer

BTW again What model is the new edison phonograph? And have you checked it for goodies yet? 150 records at once is way cool!

Haha, sorry, but it was big news for a beginner like me.

Well, it's a model A100, but my LU-37 is in much better shape. I've already sold the A100 for a little more than I paid for the unit and 150 DD's.

That was quick! One of mine's the A100. That was the first upright produced. The early one's had nice guilding and decals on the bedplate. I've had mine for 27yrs & love it. Did it have the black or brass ID tag, and was it at the back or side of the cabinet?

shane wrote:That was quick! One of mine's the A100. That was the first upright produced. The early one's had nice guilding and decals on the bedplate. I've had mine for 27yrs & love it. Did it have the black or brass ID tag, and was it at the back or side of the cabinet?

Unfortunately, it was altered. ie: someone chopped it off at the legs to make it a "tabletop". If i could not sell the unit itself, I was going to parts it on ebay. There was no serial number plate, but was clearly an A100. I was honest with the seller, explained that this was once a full upright that someone had modified, they still wanted it, so I'm happy.

I think a lot of A100's got the chop. The spindley legs were one reason they stopped making them in the first place.

I will say I have only seen the ones with the chopped off legs, in fact I read somewhere that the legs got broken in shipment, and some referred to it as the "AMPUTEE" model. Nice machines I serviced several of them in my life.

As far as diaphragms are concerned I think the originals are best but pain in the rear to fix. I always opt for replacements, the best ones I found are the ones at Antique Phonograph Supply Co or Victrola Repair Service. The ones from Wyatts are ok, they are cheaper but look like two pieces of round cardboard glued together with a looped piece of thread, that is tacky.

I would pay $25.00 for a decent replacement than a tacky less than good quality.