Problems with an orthopedic reproducer

[Anna-marie Berliner]

My victrola vv 4-3 has an off brand unmarked orthophonic reproducer. So I don't know what company made it. For the most part it sounds fine but it has a rattling sound to it. I've been trying to figure it out for over a month. There's no air leaks, the gaskets are good, the diaphrahm is in good condition, and I'm pretty certain it's the reproducer itself making the noise, not some other part rattling. Any help at all is really appreciated.

[AmberolaAndy]

My victrola vv 4-3 has an off brand unmarked orthophonic reproducer. So I don't know what company made it. For the most part it sounds fine but it has a rattling sound to it. I've been trying to figure it out for over a month. There's no air leaks, the gaskets are good, the diaphrahm is in good condition, and I'm pretty certain it's the reproducer itself making the noise, not some other part rattling. Any help at all is really appreciated.

Gotta love autocorrect that changes orthophonic to orthopedic. Personally I’d rather just get another orthophonic from the Yankee Trader section or EBay. Nothing beats the original. I have a few orthos the need to be redone. But that won’t be done until after my next big machine purchase. *sigh* so many projects but so little money...

[OrthoFan]

Can you post a photo of the reproducer? Someone may be able to identify it.

As for the rattle, how is the needle-bar held in place? Between pointed screws? In ball bearings? Oftentimes an improperly adjusted or seated needle bar can cause rattling. The needle bar should be able to move back and forth in the direction required to track the record and plunge the diaphragm in and out, but not sideways--or in the opposite direction.

OrthoFan

[Curt A]

I know the title is a mistake, but when I first read it I couldn't imagine what problems you could have with a "reproducer prosthesis"...

[Anna-marie Berliner]

Here is a picture of the ORTHOPHONIC (I guess autocorrect doesn't see orthophonic as a word) reproducer. I'll try readjusting the needle bar and see if that works. Thanks to everyone helping!

[VanEpsFan1914]

Oh cool. That's not an original Victrola one but it's definitely a neat 1920s reproducer -- the brand escapes me at present but it's one to keep.

[Inigo]

Yes! I've seen it elsewhere... but can't remember anything except it looks familiar to me... Sorry

[OrthoFan]

That looks like the type of sound box fitted to the late 1930's Birch portable phonograph models --

FROM: https://picclick.com/Vintage-Birch-Port ... 23066.html

While these could sound quite good when overhauled with fresh diaphragm gaskets, and properly adjusted, they are really no match for the sound quality and power of a well restored Orthophonic sound box, which was specifically designed to work with the exponential Orthophonic horn installed in the Consolette and larger Orthophonic models. As AmberolaAndy noted, "nothing beats the original."

OrthoFan

EDIT -- Sorry to have killed this post string.