WANTED: US PHONOGRAPH CO. REPRODUCER PICTURES

[ambrola]

Does anyone have one off these complete? I can get them machined if I had the whole reproducer or some good pictures.

[Curt A]

What is missing from yours?

[gsphonos]

Hi Ronnie,

Page 66 of the Compleat Talking Machine has a black and white picture of the underside of the reproducer. Somewhere on my computer I thought I had some better close up pictures of the reproducer, but I can't find them! I simply LOVE the US machines--except for that damned pot-metal reproducer! The design of the motor is great--and is equal or better than an Edison Home motor, in my humble opinion. But whoever was in the reproducer department, back then, had a death wish for future collectors!!

I have a US Junior machine, which is basically the same as yours, but with a less fancy cabinet. There is even a "Lakeside" US phonograph, that has the exact same motor and reproducer, just a slightly different bedplate and cabinet design and decal. I have seen a couple of different types of horns that go on the machine, but I don't have an original one myself, unfortunately.

My reproducer was complete, although in pot-metal chunks and pieces! Both stylii and weights are there. A very good friend of mine (who is a wizard!!) managed to get the reproducer all back together again and working for me, but in 4 minute mode only. This was a wonderful improvement to just having a rather large anchor for display, that did not work. The pot metal housing is SO THIN in that reproducer, it makes it very hard to repair, if broken/cracked, etc. Yours looked to be in MUCH better shape than mine! Basically my friend got a thin piece of sheet metal and custom cut it to fit into the reproducer housing to reinforce the strength and integrity of the reproducer. I know that someone, years ago, made some reproduction parts for these, but that person is long gone, as well as most of the pieces! There are so many machines out there with no reproducers. It would seem to me that someone would take on the task of making the reproduction parts. I would love to have mine fully working, but I am very happy just to be able to play it at all. The sound of a US Everlasting cylinder (4 minute) on my machine is WONDERFUL. Not only because the reproducer was rebuilt to play the 4 minute cylinders, the cylinders themselves are just EXCELLENT sounding cylinders. Very quiet surface--better than most blue amberols.

I will continue to look for pictures. Please share if you find any! And please keep us up-to-date on the restoration of your machine's reproducer. You have a beautiful machine--best of luck!!

Mike Sorter
Riverside, CA

[ambrola]

Thanks Mike. Mine is all there except the feedscrews are broken and the parts long gone. You are right about the motor on these things. Equal to or better than a Triumph. I am just going to bite the bullet and send it to Paul Baker and have it redone. He has made them in the past, but can get costly. I will let everyone know when I get it back like it is supposed to be.

[ambrola]

This is what is broken. If you have pictures of it, please send them to me.

[downsouth]

I have a US Junior. I'll see if I can get the reproducer off.

Wes

[ambrola]

I have a US Junior. I'll see if I can get the reproducer off.

Wes

Thanks Wes. Send the pics to [email protected]

[ambrola]

What is missing from yours?

Curt,
The feedscrews are broken as most of these are. With the phonograph being so rare, you can imagine how rare the complicated reproducers are. I am lucky to have all the parts that I got. I will get it going. I have talked with Paul Baker a couple times and he assured me he can machine it.

[downsouth]

Could the price be possibly lower if more than one set is machined at the same time?

Wes

[ambrola]

Could the price be possibly lower if more than one set is machined at the same time?

Wes

I doubt it. Making 2 feedscrews is simple compared to the complete assembly?