WANTED: Brooks Reproducer

[johnwilla]

Goes to Brooks automatic reproducing phonograph ca. 1916 - 1921
Thanks for considering this!

[PeterF]

I recently obtained a Brooks Repeating Phonograph and the reproducer isn't badged with the Brooks name. It's not handy right now so I can't check, but the reproducer on it has some other, generic, name - like Universal or Acme or the like. I remember thinking it odd, but it seemed original and matched up in every other way.

So if your Brooks is similarly outfitted, perhaps it's actually correct and you don't need a replacement? Any other Brooks owners out there who can confirm?

[johnwilla]

I do have an aftermarket reproducer; it has a covered case and the diaphragm is aluminum or some such, so is really an anachronism. Per George V. It should be mica, and all the pictured ones I have seen have that.

[PeterF]

Ah. In that case, it may well have been an improvement by someone in the post-mica age… When the orthophonics came out there were several aftermarket aluminum-diaphragm reproducers made available.

[Shawn]

From the examples I have seen, I believe there are two different Brooks Reproducers. One has the Brooks label on the inside, under the mica diaphragm. This can be seen in the first picture. The other is more plain, with a mica diaphragm as well. However, it is of a different configuration and has a black pebbled paper under the diaphragm. This version can be seen in the second picture. The final picture shows the back side of both diaphragms. I have examined both of these reproducers on different machines that would have appeared to have not been messed with. That being said, I have only examined less than 10 of these machines. They are pretty uncommon.

I have always thought that the second style pictured was a later incarnation as I have found it on machines with the later, more simple Brooks decal. The first pictured, with the Brooks paper under the diaphragm, seems to show up on earlier machines. The Brooks was manufactured from 1916 until 1922. It went through a couple different incarnations in its production run.

I do have a fine example, extra, of the plain type reproducer - the one pictured in the second picture - available if you are still in need of one.

Thank you

Shawn

[johnwilla]

You may be right about the retrofitting, I have encountered that before. Nevertheless, I'd prefer the actual thing, which according to intructions was adjustable to play Pathé and Edison recordings.

[johnwilla]

Shawn, I am definitely interested in your offer, and your information about the two types of reproducers clears up my confusion about the reproducer. I will PM you about your offer. Thanks again.

[dutchman]

Checked my Brooks machine and the reproducer is identical to Shawns first photo. Cheers

Bill K