Consolette orthophonic soundbox
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:30 pm
Hello everyone,
I have been utilizing this remarkable forum as a resource for some months now, but have never posted before. I tried to join a short while ago but had some difficulties [which now seem to be resolved].
In the meantime another member of this forum [Pete AKA: flashpanblue] very generously attempted to help me out by posting in the trader section on my behalf. We both live in Nova Scotia BTW.
I always think a bit of background is good manners on a first post so here goes. I would say I’m not a collector, but an accidental tinkerer.
I came across a VV-80 for $75 and not knowing anything took it home. With the help of this forum and other internet resource’s, I took apart the motor, cleaned and re-greased the springs, replaced a missing governor weight [after I found Bob Nix who supplied me with parts], cleaned the cabinet [with goop – thank you forum for that!], and replaced gaskets and flange on the N0. 2 reproducer.
I recently did more or less the same for $45 junk store tabletop off brand [Savoy] and gave that away to some friends.
And now I have a $90 Consolette as my next project.
All my questions are about the orthophonic soundbox. I have searched the forum a lot and I don’t think these have been specifically asked.
So first, as you see it is pretty typical and the pot metal is cracked in several places. However, the spider is firmly attached and the needle bar also seems well attached to the spider. It is missing a screw in front but I can get this replaced. It is also missing a 3 armed cross piece in the throat just behind the foil ... I have no idea what this called, does or relative importance.
This one seems to be a bit different from the other Victor orthophonics in that there is no slot on the back outer ring and the back is red. My guess is that since the consolette was the bargain model this was the bargain model soundbox?
Has anyone ever worked on one like this?
My assumption is that any attempt to remove the back will result in disaster. My plan is to buy a new flange and bearings then attempt to stabilize the cracks with a bit of epoxy and see what occurs.
Waste of time or worth a go?
I see a few other pot mental ones here and there, but mostly in same cracked boat so doesn’t seem logical to replace one bad one with another … nor frankly do I want to spend the required money for a brass one on a $90 machine.
So my next question. Is there a list of non-Victor orthophonic reproducers that will fit or could be made to fit with a flange swap or other bodge?
I will tell you what I have found searching so far on this forum: A later victor from a portable, an HMV 5a or 5b [although they seem to be plagued with pot metal issues as well] and perhaps a Thorens primaphonic …
I know a generic or lesser known brand will not sound as good as a Victor, but I’m not super fussy and it would do until I found a workable Victor orthophonic at a good price.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Darrell
I have been utilizing this remarkable forum as a resource for some months now, but have never posted before. I tried to join a short while ago but had some difficulties [which now seem to be resolved].
In the meantime another member of this forum [Pete AKA: flashpanblue] very generously attempted to help me out by posting in the trader section on my behalf. We both live in Nova Scotia BTW.
I always think a bit of background is good manners on a first post so here goes. I would say I’m not a collector, but an accidental tinkerer.
I came across a VV-80 for $75 and not knowing anything took it home. With the help of this forum and other internet resource’s, I took apart the motor, cleaned and re-greased the springs, replaced a missing governor weight [after I found Bob Nix who supplied me with parts], cleaned the cabinet [with goop – thank you forum for that!], and replaced gaskets and flange on the N0. 2 reproducer.
I recently did more or less the same for $45 junk store tabletop off brand [Savoy] and gave that away to some friends.
And now I have a $90 Consolette as my next project.
All my questions are about the orthophonic soundbox. I have searched the forum a lot and I don’t think these have been specifically asked.
So first, as you see it is pretty typical and the pot metal is cracked in several places. However, the spider is firmly attached and the needle bar also seems well attached to the spider. It is missing a screw in front but I can get this replaced. It is also missing a 3 armed cross piece in the throat just behind the foil ... I have no idea what this called, does or relative importance.
This one seems to be a bit different from the other Victor orthophonics in that there is no slot on the back outer ring and the back is red. My guess is that since the consolette was the bargain model this was the bargain model soundbox?
Has anyone ever worked on one like this?
My assumption is that any attempt to remove the back will result in disaster. My plan is to buy a new flange and bearings then attempt to stabilize the cracks with a bit of epoxy and see what occurs.
Waste of time or worth a go?
I see a few other pot mental ones here and there, but mostly in same cracked boat so doesn’t seem logical to replace one bad one with another … nor frankly do I want to spend the required money for a brass one on a $90 machine.
So my next question. Is there a list of non-Victor orthophonic reproducers that will fit or could be made to fit with a flange swap or other bodge?
I will tell you what I have found searching so far on this forum: A later victor from a portable, an HMV 5a or 5b [although they seem to be plagued with pot metal issues as well] and perhaps a Thorens primaphonic …
I know a generic or lesser known brand will not sound as good as a Victor, but I’m not super fussy and it would do until I found a workable Victor orthophonic at a good price.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Darrell