BASIC HINTS ON THE CARE OF GRAMOPHONES

1. Keep the machine as original as possible. Originality adds value.

2. The box or cabinet

• Early horn gramophones usually had oak boxes.
• Retain the original French polish on early models if possible.
• Never use lacquer, varnish, etc. on early gramophone boxes - French polish only.
• Preserve the transfer (decal) on box at ALL COSTS.
• Later cabinets gramophones were often made of mahogany or oak, and used a cellulose lacquer finish.
• Only re-polish gramophone cabinets if very badly damaged.
• Never use silicone polishes. Use microcrystalline wax only.
• Retain original grille cloth where possible, even if it is damaged.
• If grille cloth has to be replaced avoid modern bright-coloured shiny cloth.

• Nickel plating can be cleaned with tarnish removers or brass polish or fine steel wool. Avoid using buffing wheels.
• Polish with Duraglit type pads (never use polish solutions containing abrasive powders).
• If parts are rusted, pre-1930 models can be re-nickel plated (never chrome plated).
• Later models were chrome plated.

• Preserve original paint at ALL COSTS, even if there is some damage.
• Horns with original paint are rare and worth preserving.
• Repainting horn with lacquer spray can be better than using enamel.

• Oil motor regularly - you cannot over oil.
• If motor 'thumps' when playing - the spring case need greasing inside with graphite grease.
• Never work on a motor unless it is fully unwound.
• A spring may break at any time. Springs can be repaired.

• Pre 1925 sound boxes had mica diaphragms.
• After 1925 aluminium diaphragms were common.
• Treat all diaphragms with great care.
• If records are distorted (with buzzing sound on loud notes), rubber ring gaskets in sound box need replacing. Seek advice.

• Gramophone needles are designed to play ONE RECORD ONLY.
• Throw away needles after one playing.
• NEVER put a used needle back in soundbox.
• Use softer tone needles on records made after 1930.
• Avoid loud tone needles where possible. Loud needles wear records.
• Avoid needles that supposedly play ten or more records - they are for early electric pick-ups.
• Avoid coloured needles (bronze, gold, painted. etc.) - they are for early electric pick-ups.

• Most gramophone records should play at 78 rpm.
• Run off grooves occur on records after mid 1920's.
• Run in grooves occur on records after the mid 1930's.
• Records after 1945 should never be played on wind-up gramophones.
• Records can be washed. (Use warm water and detergent and new shoe brush; rinse and dry between newspaper.)

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