Fake gramophone - fixing the turntable

[@davidk6271]

Looking forward to see if you can address the air leaks in the tone arm and tracking. Also, can you get inside the soundbox? I guess the whole thing would sound better with a good sound box on it? Cheers

[@mrrgstuff]

Tonearm will be next and maybe in that video, and maybe in a separate one I will be looking at the soundbox too. It will be interesting to see how well the sounbox compares with other ones. It does have screws in the back so I am hopeful I can get it apart. Thanks 😀 👍

[@davidk6271]

@@mrrgstuff I’ve never seen inside one of those sound boxes. Look forward to it.

[@mrrgstuff]

Me too. Thanks 😀 👍

[@rwwgreene]

Hello! I love the channel. I've worked on typewriters for a long time but recently came into possession of one of the Indian HMVs. I'm working to get it playing better, and I'm wondering if there is a best way to get the turntable off. I'm leery of putting too much muscle into it. Any advice?

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, basically it's a push fit so you need to support the turntable and then hit the central pin with a mallet or soft hammer. The pin is tapered so the turntable should pop out relatively easily. You could add some penetrative oil before hand also which can help. I did the following video a while back which shows the basic process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmaXfJaFo8p0ibM It's not likely you will damage the motor with this procedure, but obviously there is a risk. If it doesn't want to move then apply more oil and leave overnight, though for me they have all come off without too much trouble. Glad you enjoy the channel. Thanks 😀 👍

[@rwwgreene]

@@mrrgstuff Thanks so much! I will watch the video and give it a shot this evening!

[@NippersLounge]

Not a bad repair. Have you considered trying an earlier Victor Record from the 1900’s?

[@mrrgstuff]

As a test record? I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you suggesting an earlier acoustically recorded record would sound better on it? Thanks 😀 👍

[@NippersLounge]

@@mrrgstuff yes! That is exactly what I am suggesting!

[@mrrgstuff]

Ok thanks 😀👍. I've been using fairly random records up to now. I will figure out some ones more appropriate to the style of machine is. Thanks 😀

[@NippersLounge]

@@mrrgstuff you’re welcome!

[@terrycard6775]

Another enjoyable video.Well done.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Much appreciated 😀

[@gato_luchito9825]

when i put the niddle on the disc it starts to stop, as if was too much force on the arm i think? what could it be?

[@mrrgstuff]

Could be a worn or dirty record. Reusing a needle can also cause this to happen. It might be the angle of the soundbox is wrong or the tonearm is poorly adjusted which is putting too much force on the record. It can also be a fault with the motor, including a weak spring. You may also just need to wind it a bit more to start with. This video here covers tonearm angle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3bNi5SCjrKegpY This one covers the tonearm: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIOsf2N6j9KHgdk All my videos to do with fake gramophones are here: kzbin.info/aero/PLsCYUbO6xxnSQxENr28Cg05DiRuC5O47w Thanks 😀 👍

[@alexmcvicar-payling8690]

We can’t get our handle out ! So the lid won’t lift . Any ideas?

[@mrrgstuff]

The handle should unscrew if you turn it anticlockwise / counterclockwise, but it might be quite stiff. There is also a possibility that it pulls straight out, but I have not seen a motor like that on one of these fake machines. Once the lid is down, just screw it back in and as you continue to turn it, the motor will wind. I've just made this video which you might find useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJOZkn-ZfZ6jr5Y In normal use, there is no need to get to the motor, so it's common to leave the handle in.

[@mrrgstuff]

I've made you a little video to show what I mean. Hope it helps: kzbin.infokRY3yyYcSNk?si=fJ1C4wY9trtjVxhH Thanks 👍 😀

[@rocketaroo]

Done the same with the replicas I have had. You can only do so much, as the motors are sloppy things.

[@mrrgstuff]

I've seen some of your videos on these which was one of these reasons I wanted to play with one as they look good fun! Thanks 😅. If I get time I may rebuild this motor, though I would agree its not the most precision motor I have seen. Thanks 😀 👍

[@microbi46]

Nice job!

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍

[@Mrpurple75]

Much improved

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. It's just a bit of fun really but it is nice to see it working a bit better

[@sherazhyder]

Legally speaking this is a fake HMV machine with a fake Gerrad motor. Had it not carried the fake HMV decal and a fake motor , I would have called it a replica gramophone with cheap components

[@bootawarring7005]

Good

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. You might find this one helpful too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5DIlJt6l8R7msk

[@tiga4180]

The poor tracking & uncompliant soundboxes seem to be the main issue with these fakes. Wouln't mind owning one as a 'black museum' piece to warn less informed collectors not to be duped. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a fake?

[@mrrgstuff]

The soundboxes certainly seem to have a poor reputation however this one doesn't seem to sound too bad. I will be looking much more closely at it in a future video. Some fakes seem to have more of a gooseneck tonearm and I have not had a chance to look at one of those. The one I have is more Swan like, but at least the bit that is connected to the tonearm is really quite thick and heavy in comparison to the genuine one. I'll also be looking at the tonearm and tracking in a future video and I think at least some of the issues are wear and tear on this example, though I doubt the tracking was ever great. As for price they are available new on Ebay starting just under 90GBP at the moment. In antique shops they are often priced higher! I got this one in a job lot with a broken portable and it cost me more like 30GBP. The broken horn elbow would have made it much less attractive as a decoration piece. It's also worth noting that many of these fakes have unbranded Thorens type clone motors, not the Garrard like this, but sellers almost never show the inside of the machine. Thanks 😀 👍

[@tiga4180]

@@mrrgstuff Thanks for the detailed info. Will bear in mind if I chose to buy one!

[@gato_luchito9825]

@@mrrgstuff i bought one without knowing x( i regret it so much, so now im trying to fix it the most i can before i buy a real one hahaah

[@mrrgstuff]

@gato_luchito9825 Hopefully you didn't pay too much for it 😉. They can be made to work a bit better. I did service the soundbox on mine, but I really wouldn't recommend doing so. Much better to find a genuine one and fit that (you probably will need to wrap some tape around the tonearm to make it fit). A vintage soundbox may need servicing anyway, but at least they were designed to be. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKqVgoGFrt2apbs kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5ymdHxui9ucqc0 Thanks 😀 👍

[@tarstarkusz]

They are trying to produce these without any proper machines or tools. Any early 20th century gramophone, even the cheapest ones will outperform this thing. They couldn't get the tonearm to track? RIDICULOUS!!!

[@mrrgstuff]

Based on the videos of other manufacture in India I guess that the various components for the motor might be made in different workshops and then assembled elsewhere, ie there is no factory as such. Having said that, the motor is essentially well enough made to work I believe but I will only know for sure when I rebuild it. The tonearm tracking has probably never been great on this machine, but its had a hard life and at least some of its problems have occurred since it was made. I will be looking at the tonearm and maybe soundbox next to see if I can make it better. Thanks 😀 👍