Adjusting Brunswick Ultona

[Ampico66]

I put new white rubber tubing gasket material in a Brunswick Ultona. When it plays it is very quiet compared to a Victor. I am also concerned the angle of the needle is way off, but i can't figure out how to adjust it. I have attached a photo. Any help would be appreciated!

[Phototone]

The sound box rotates on the tone arm. Unless it is stuck, you should be able to rotate it so the needle is more perpendicular to the record surface. Right now the needle is way to slanted for proper operation. There should be a detent that will indicate proper position of the sound box/needle assembly for playback of common lateral records.

[larryh]

Brunswicks are in general not overly loud as many Victors are. Many years ago, probably way before you were born I had a large Victor that two other friends and I hauled to Powell Hall when the Symphony was first starting to use the old theater as their home.. On the stage the machine was breathtaking, no ringing of the ears from super loud vocalist, the quiet parts were just that and the loud parts soared though the hall. It was an experience I will never forget. When I got my first Brunswick and played a number of records I realized a couple things. One it had a bit more tonal quality than the victor, I could hear a bit more bass than I had heard in the same records. Secondly it mimicked what the Victor had sounded like in the hall. The lower volumes were clear but not overbearing but when it needed a very loud part it also could do that. Since I have always felt the Brunswick represented the actual performance of a singer in a hall more realistically than an overly loud victor in the home.

Your other responder was correct, the outer head should rotate and if you look it should have a ball bearing kind of spring loaded latch that stops the arm in various positions. It may need some oil on that and the pivot points of the reproducer. Be careful not to break it though.

Larry

[Torjazzer]

I have a Brunswick with the Ultona arm and I wouldn't describe it as "very quiet", especially after having changed the rubber. In fact, I'd say it holds its own very well compared to my Victors of the same vintage. I wonder if the reproducer is not the problem but might guess at the volume control baffle. It might be stuck.
In any case, here is a link to a demonstration on the proper way to configure your Ultona reproducer.
Good Luck.

http://www.razzarsharp.com/Phonographs/bBrunswick.html