Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Share your phonograph repair & restoration techniques here
Post Reply
SittingRabbit
Victor I
Posts: 119
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:09 pm
Location: Indiana, PA

Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Post by SittingRabbit »

I have 2 reproducers that came with my 2 Credenza's; one is pot metal and the other is the rare brass one. Ibwas going to send both to Wyatt Markus, but I just listened to them and they sound fine to me. Maybe I my musician's ears don't know any different compared to restored ones, but I've never heard a restored one before. The pot metal reproducer has some cracks, but sounds fine.

So, opinions; send them both in or keep them the way they are?
Attachments
Pot metal one
Pot metal one
Pot metal one
Pot metal one
Brass one
Brass one
Brass one
Brass one

User avatar
Curt A
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6435
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:32 pm
Personal Text: Needle Tins are Addictive
Location: Belmont, North Carolina

Re: Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Post by Curt A »

Get the brass one restored, as it enhances its value as well as making it sound better. The pot metal one, leave alone as long as it sounds good... just my opinion.
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife

Jerry B.
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8516
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:25 am
Personal Text: Stop for a visit when in Oregon.
Location: Albany, Oregon

Re: Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Post by Jerry B. »

I second the advice from the man from North Carolina.

Jerry B.

52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3751
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

Re: Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Post by 52089 »

Curt A wrote:Get the brass one restored, as it enhances its value as well as making it sound better. The pot metal one, leave alone as long as it sounds good... just my opinion.
I would concur about getting the brass one in tip top shape, but I would probably still send the pot metal one to Wyatt to see what he thinks. As you said, you haven't heard a restored one yet, so Wyatt would be a better judge of whether it needs work or not.

When I go look at Orthophonic machines, I bring a restored reproducer with me for testing purposes. I've had more than one person seriously reconsider selling me a machine once they hear what they're capable of!

SittingRabbit
Victor I
Posts: 119
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:09 pm
Location: Indiana, PA

Re: Reproducer restoration or leave it alone

Post by SittingRabbit »

You're right, I'm going to send them in. Thanks!

Post Reply