The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

136 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD February IS, 1922 REPAIRS TALKING MACHINE TROUBLES AND HOW TO REMEDY THEM Conducted by Andrew H. Dodin ON THE REPAIRING OF OLD SPRINGS Bloomfield, N. J., January 19, 1922. A. H. Dodin, care Talking Machine World: The letter of Dominick Ruff, of Youngstown, O., printed in the January issue of The Talking Machine World interested me sufficiently to drop 3'ou a few lines. A rough calculation would prove that, repairing 1,700 motors with springs in two and one-half }rears, this gentleman evidently ran across approximately two and onefifth broken springs per day, working six days per week, which experience tells me is rather unusual. Also to have onl} nine springs returned broken out of 1,700 old ones repaired, an average of about one-sixteenth of 1 per cent, speaks well for Youngstown, O., springs. Manj' a manufacturer of motors and talking machines has had his reputation injured by the repair man returning a broken spring fixed over or inserting an improper spring. A repair man who takes any pride in his work would refrain from such methods. After such repair work is done in the manner described by Mr. Ruff it remains unfinished and unsatisfactory, besides causing an undue strain on the motor. I would like to see you discourage such methods in an issue of The Talking Machine World, not alone for the sake of the owner of a machine whereon such methods have been practiced, but also for the benefit of the manufacturers and dealers. Yours for a square deal (Signed) Ernest A. Edden. Answer — It has always been my opinion that the proper way to replace a broken mainspring ir a Victor motor was to put in a Victor spring, and in a Columbia motor a Columbia spring, etc. The question as to whether the efficiency of a motor is impaired by the use of other than its own make of parts is an open one. I would say that the result depended more on the ability of the man making the repair than on the parts he used. In the case of using a mainspring a second time after it has been broken near the cage end: I cannot see how the use of a spring which has been shortened two feet can make any material difference in the running of the motor. If you take a two-spring motor, for an example, you find that the average playing time will be about three and one-half ten-inch records. There is, as a rule, reserve power enough to insure good tension on the drive gears after three records have been played. There is not enough power left to play another record and the motor must be rewound. Now, what harm results in slightly diminishing this reserve power by shortening one of the mainsprings? In the case of a singlespring motor I will agree that the proper length and size spring should be used in order to maintain maximum efficiency. I quote a paragraph from a letter received from Mr. Ruff since my article appeared in the Januan^ issue: "As soon as I receive some material to complete some of them I will send you a sample that you can test for yourself and see that all the statements are correct. Of course, you are aware that there is nothing perfect, but we can have a sworn statement that the letter sent to you which was published in the January Talking Machine World is the truth." I will admit that many reputations have been spoiled by inexperienced repair men. I have seen many a fine piece of mechanism ruined after passing through the hands of these near mechanics. Many times during the past years I have called this to the attention of. the dealers in this column, and I claim that the fault is* more the dealer's than anyone's else. The average dealer pays too little attention to the upkeep of the instruments he sells. He should maintain some sort of follow-up service which would keep him in touch with the customer in such a way that whenever anything goes wrong the machine would get to his hands for repair. In this way he would be able to not only maintain efficiency in each particular machine but would also uphold the reputation of the goods he sells. RECORDS AID HEART STUDENTS Talking Machine Records to Be Installed in Hospital Clinics Will Obviate Patients Standing Long Under Stethoscope Dr. Emile Sergent, of the Paris Faculty of Medicine, in seeking for some method of overcoming the necessity for patients with heart trouble standing for long periods in hospital laboratories while students listen with stethoscopes, hit upon the idea of using talking machine records of heart-beats of persons suffering from MICA DIAPHRAGMS Absolutely Guaranteed Perfect We get the best India Mica directly. We supply the largest Phonograph Manufacturers. Ask for our quotations and sample'? before placing your order. American Mica Works 47 West St. New York this disease, and he has obtained permission to install these records in hospital clinics. Accurate records are taken of typical cases. A description of the case, together with details which the student will be expected to find when he enters the profession for himself, are recorded by professors. MASON APPOINTED SALES MANAGER Popular Sales Executive Promoted to Important Post With New York Talking Machine Co. — Well Known Throughout the Victor Trade Charles B. Mason, one of the most popular members of the Eastern Victor wholesale trade, has been appointed sales manager of the New York Talking Machine Co., 521 West Fifty-seventh street, Victor wholesaler. Mr. Mason assumed his new duties a few weeks ago, and as he was assistant sales manager of the company for over a year, h&^is thoroughly familiar with his new post. Since 1916 Mr. Mason has been associated with the Chicago Talking Chas. B. Mason Machine and the New York Talking Machine Co., with the exception of the period that he spent in the United States army during the war. He has held important sales positions with both companies, and his success may be attributed in a considerable measure to the fact that he thoroughly appreciates the value of co-operation with the Victor dealer. He is now preparing important plans for the coming \ear, which will undoubtedly be received enthusiastically by the New York Talking Machine Co.'s clientele. SIR HARRY LAUDER ENTERTAINS Famous Victor Artist Appears at Rotary Club in Peoria — Sings New Number Dedicated to Music — It Was a Jolly Occasion Peoria, III., February 6. — Sir Harry Lauder, famous artist who records exclusively for the Victor library, was the guest of honor at the Rotary Club luncheon, held here Saturday. Fred Putnam, president of the Putnam-Page Co., Victor wholesalers in this city, was host to Sir Harry Lauder, and during the course of the luncheon, Sir Harry sang a number which he wrote on the train en route to Peoria. This selection, which was rendered for the first time and was dedicated to music, was entitled "It's a Fine Thing to Sing," and the chorus was as follows: "It's a fine thing to sing, Singin' is the thing For it brightens everything that's dark and dreary. It helps you on the road when you have a heavy load. Singin' is the thing to make you cheerrrrrrry." Many a growing business has been ruined by lack of attention to details by salesmen. FELT The Consensus of Opinion | AS A TURNTABLE CUSHION Felt has no real substitute. That there is likewise no substitute for A. F. Co. Turntable Felt seems to be the opinion of leading manufacturers in the Talking Machine trade. They use no other make. American Felt Company TRADE, .MARK BOSTON 100 Summer St. NEW YORK 114 East 13th St. CHICAGO 325 So. Market St. % B I 1st ft