Phonoland

I would like to hear some thoughts as to where to leave the tension of the spring. That is when you've finished playing your Victrola, how tight, or loose, should the spring be left?

Nipper Jr.,

You didn't say whether the spring(s)/barrel(s) had been cleaned and re-packed with grease, but the generally accepted practice is that if you are going to leave your machine unplayed for a long period of time, you should let the motor run down. This allows the spring(s) to be apart and this keeps them from sticking which may cause "thumping" when playing. This is caused by the coils that are stuck together to suddenly release when winding down. This usually occurs when the grease has been in the barrel(s) for a very long period and has become hard. I think it would be safe to say that if you play your machine regularly and the spring(s) have been recently serviced, you don't have to let it run down every time you finish using it.

Bill

NipperJr,

Bill said it in a nutshell. If you play it every day it's not really concern. Let it run down completely if you're letting it sit for awhile.

Regards,
J.