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WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:38 pm
by apruizii
Even though the Mello-Phonic phonographs are considered "off brands", I find the console cabinet to be very nice looking with inlay veneer/wood. I'm considering picking one up to bring it back to life but it has a broken tone arm.

Does anyone have a Mello-Phonic tone arm or another one that would fit?

Thanks!

AR

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:10 pm
by cjstoessner
I am glad there is somebody else with an appreciation for the good ole Mello-Phonic off brand. I am actually putting the finishing touches on a console restoration and it has turned out pretty darn good. When I acquired it a year ago, some would have thrown it in a dumpster, it was literally that bad.

As for the tone-arm, somebody had replaced my machine's original arm with a later portable tone arm at some point in its history. I don't think there is a specific "Mello-Phonic" brand tone arm, so I may settle for a period appropriate off brand tone arm, anything from one of the parts suppliers of the late teens through the twenties (see ads in Talking Machine World) will be alright.

I know the off brand phonographs don't command the high value, but I think they're kind of fun... Good luck with the hunt for a period appropriate tone arm, I will keep my eyes open.

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:56 pm
by apruizii
Thanks for the reply. It's great to hear that you truly rescued the phonograph and restored it to a nice condition. The one I'm considering is in pretty good shape and hopefully a replacement tone arm will pop up soon.

AR

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:28 am
by estott
Posting a picture of the broken arm on your machine would be of help

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:49 am
by apruizii
Here's a photo of the broken tone arm for reference...

AR

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:53 am
by OrthoSean
Since the pieces are all there, you could likely at least make it functional with some JB Weld and a bit of patience until you're able to find a replacement. I've certainly seen much worse.

Sean

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:55 am
by estott
I would bet that was made by Jewel Phono Parts.

It might be possible to fit another popular brand of arm like a Heineman, providing the length is the same. Judging by pictures online they weren't consistent in the style of arm used.

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:11 pm
by apruizii
Here's another picture of a tone arm on a Mello-Phonic phonograph for reference. Does this one also look like one made by Jewel Phono Parts?

Thanks,

AR

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 9:34 am
by RolandVV-360
apruizii wrote:Here's another picture of a tone arm on a Mello-Phonic phonograph for reference. Does this one also look like one made by Jewel Phono Parts?

Thanks,

AR
Well, it's not a Jewel Phono Parts product, but I have that exact tonearm in a box somewhere in my house. If you're interested, I can send some photos.

Re: WANTED: Mello-Phonic tone arm

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:22 pm
by apruizii
Roland,

Yes, please send me a PM with the photos.

Thanks,

AR