Orthophonic Dilemma

[phonojim]

It would be nice if people would spell things out instead of coining abbreviations. This happens on the ARF also and many times people need to ask what the poster means. Oh, I forgot: ARF is Antique Radio Forum. Sorry. Another problem with using an abbreviation such as OSB is that it could mean something entirely different in another hobby, which results in total confusion if you happen to be involved in both.
Now concerning Orthophonic reproducer problems. I haven't tried to get a stuck one apart for a while, but I remember one that was so bad that I used a Dremel with a diamond burr to grind it out. I have made a wooden fixture to hold the reproducer in position while disassembling it. I will try to remember to post a photo of it here later today.
I almost forgot to mention an old Heathkit trick for soldering irons extensions: clean the tip of your iron, tightly wrap #12 or 14 bare solid copper wire around it, leaving a straight section of wire of the needed length extending beyond the tip. Tin the tip of this wire and you will be able to use it to access the solder joint on the needle bar.

Jim

[JerryVan]

OMG! That's an OSB? ROTFLMAO! TTFN BFF's

Thanks!

[Mr Grumpy]

OMG! That's an OSB? ROTFLMAO! TTFN BFF's

Thanks!

Wtf just happened?

[Victrolaboy]

Orthophonic sound box. Better??

[phonojim]

I dunno!!

[FloridaClay]

I will stick up a little bit for Shenandoah. They are able to assemble a new brass repro OSB, using a few parts from your old OSB (e.g., needle bar). I have one and am very pleased with it. Not cheap, but good quality and about half what an original brass OSB would cost you in most instances.

The only caveat from my prospective is that service can be a little slow at times. He has an antique trunk restoration business also and my impression is that generates an awful lot of business that takes up the majority of his time.

Clay

[PeterF]

Well, for myself, I've never been able to discern any difference between PMBOSBs and BBOSBs, other than longevity (in some cases) and the number of holes in the body. The always-polarizing Bob Waltrip did a bunch of tests over the years and came to that conclusion very vehemently, while my own experience has been to compare my own single BBOSB to my numerous PMBOSBs - all of which have had BWRs. I play them on my VTMOC or my VTM10-50. HMV #5ASBs and #5BSBs display far more of a sound quality variation in my experience, but this is design- rather than materials-based.

We should also discuss the effect of shell materials on various NPC products, such as the DCR, the MSR, the MRR, and the MNR. Do they exhibit much variation in sound quality, or is it all about the longevity and stability of those bodies as well.

[JerryVan]

OMG! That's an OSB? ROTFLMAO! TTFN BFF's

Thanks!

Wtf just happened?

I can't even...

[JerryVan]

Well, for myself, I've never been able to discern any difference between PMBOSBs and BBOSBs, other than longevity (in some cases) and the number of holes in the body. The always-polarizing Bob Waltrip did a bunch of tests over the years and came to that conclusion very vehemently, while my own experience has been to compare my own single BBOSB to my numerous PMBOSBs - all of which have had BWRs. I play them on my VTMOC or my VTM10-50. HMV #5ASBs and #5BSBs display far more of a sound quality variation in my experience, but this is design- rather than materials-based.

We should also discuss the effect of shell materials on various NPC products, such as the DCR, the MSR, the MRR, and the MNR. Do they exhibit much variation in sound quality, or is it all about the longevity and stability of those bodies as well.

Peter,

I've been told that the pot metal ones sound best. I never could hear the difference myself, since every "OSB" sounds a little different than the next one anyway, whether it's PM or BRS.

[JerryVan]

Okay, guys, I have good news and I have bad news. And neutral news, leaning towards negative.

First, the good news: I successfully removed the back of my OSB, yay! Nothing broke!

Now for the neutral-leaning-negative news: My soldering iron tip is too fat to fit through the gaps in the case to melt the solder between the needle bar and the diaphragm spider, what do?

Bad news time: My other OSB has a stuck spanner ring that is cracked anyway. Assuming I can ever free it, is there anywhere to get a replacement, or should I just hold off until I can get a repro from Shenandoah Restorations? (Already removed the ball bearings, and not a fan of buying more pot metal, and original brass OSBs are wayyy too expensive)

Second bit of technically neutral news, but definite bias toward negative: I am a stupid idiot and I took apart both of my only two OSBs that I have at the same time, so no electric discs for me...

I use a small electronics soldering iron I bought many years back at Radio Shack. Maybe you can still get one there before they're out of business completely.