The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1908)

6 Edison Phonograph Monthly, August, 1908 Questions and Answers We have opened this department in order to print, each month, questions asked us in letters from Dealers and Phonograph owners about the regulation of their machines, together with our answers. This information will serve to clear up many important points on which you should be posted so as to keep your own Phonographs in perfect running order, and also give your customers valuable advice. F. K., Sparta, Wis. — In winding up my "Triumph" Phonograph, that I use for exhibition work, there is a rumbling noise and the handle feels as if the spring were relaxing or the rachet were about to give way. [It is evident the springs have become dry or rusty, causing them to stick so that the sudden release of the spring produces the jarring noise. Stand the Phonograph on end, with the mechanism exposed to view and apply powdered graphite to the springs, followed by oil. There is also an oil hole in the top of the spring barrel through which oil should be applied.] E. A. H., Nevada City, Calif. — I have an Edison Standard Phonograph and some of my Records have developed a kind of whistling sound. The noise seems like a sharp grind not unlike the squeak of machinery that needs oil. [The trouble probably lies in your Reproducer not being properly adjusted or needing new parts, such as rubber gaskets, which act as cushions 4x>r the diaphragm. Secure a new copper diaphragm with rubber and paper washers. First place one of the rubber gaskets into the cup, then the cupped paper washer into the cupped edge of which should be inserted the rim of the copper diaphragm. On top of this should be placed the plain paper washer, followed by another rubber gasket ; then the metal washer, and finally the clamping ring. The clamping ring should be screwed up just tightly enough to hold the diaphragm and washers firmly in the cup. If you find the tone too sharp or shrill, loosen the clamping ring slightly. If there is a tendency to blast, screw the ring up slightly.] Canadian Dealer. — Why not advertise the retail prices of Gem, Standard, and Home outfits in your ads and literature, as you did when the prices were $10.00, $20.00 and $30.00? It would save us Dealers a lot of explanation regarding change in prices. I think it only fair and business-like to do so. [To advertise retail prices of our machines, as suggested, would, in our opinion, be detrimental to. the sales of Edison Phonographs. To advertise the new prices would have the effect of keep ing people away from Dealers' stores and give the latter no opportunity to explain why the prices had been raised. We realize that this causes the Dealer some trouble in having to explain the situation, but isn't it better to go to this trouble than to keep people away entirely? Then, too, if we attempted to put prices in our advertisements, we would have one set of prices in American publications, many of which go into Canada, and another set of prices in Canadian publications. This would cause a complication that would have a tendency to keep the people away from Dealers' stores.] F. N. S., Chicago.— My Edison Standard Phonograph plays half a tone flat in music, talking records being all right. The Motor, Reproducer and Horn are all right. My Reproducer works satisfactorily on other machines, but other Reproducers used on mine disclose the same fault. [We think the trouble is due to poor regulation of the machine. Any one of several things may cause this. We suggest that you first try the adjustment, of the cylinder shaft between centres by moving it endwise by hand. If there is too much or too little play you can adjust it by means of the centre pivot adjusting screw in the swing arm. There should be just enough play of the shaft between centres to make sure it does not bind when the machine runs. Next see that the Idler Pulley works freely. Apply a little oil to its hub, but be careful to get none on the belt. The tension of the pulley should not be so strong as to obstruct the free running of the machine. If these suggestions fail, notice whether any of the Governor springs have become bent or there is another irregularity. You might turn the Governor to a different position on the shaft by unscrewing the collar and screwing down again when it is in a new position. Be sure the Governor bearings do not become worn through lack of oil. You should apply a little graphite to the pinions and oil to the bearings at frequent intervals.] Sees Good Times Ahead Sales Manager F. K. Dolbeer, of the National Phonograph Co., has returned from a seven weeks' trip through the west, northwest and to the Pacific coast. He traveled 16,000 miles and visited Edison Jobbers in 28 cities. Returning, Mr. Dolbeer attended the convention of the National Association of Credit Men at Denver, as a delegate from the New York branch. As a result of his own observations and reports by the credit men, Mr. Dolbeer is confident that the fall trade in Edison Phonographs will show a decided improvement in every section of the country. Meet Mr. Good Times half way — Write for the free advertising banner (p. 13) ; the free newspaper electro (p. n); the free post card electro (p. 10) — these will help some.