What model is this and how do I rebuild it?

[cweastlick]

I picked this up along with the tone arm, elbow, and the rest. I'm still a bit of a novice so I do not know what model of Columbia reproducer this is. I want to rebuild it and it looks like it has wax all the way around the diaphragm instead of a rubber gasket??!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lucius1958]

That's a "New Columbia" from about 1924-5.

Bill

[cweastlick]

Thanks, Bill. How do I rebuild it?

[Bruce]

Hello,

Nothing beats jumping in with both feet and giving it a try. But here are a couple of things to keep in mind;

- I would guess that the gaskets on either side of the mica diaphragm are missing and that is why the last person used wax, on your rebuild you will need to attain thin rubber or paper gaskets (Ron Sitko or Wyattsmusical are both good sources),
- to start melt the wax on the diaphragm and on both sides of the leaver which attaches to the diaphragm, (a light touch from a soldering iron will work),
- unscrew the needle bar from the diaphragm - watch the screw it is very small and very important!
- take the rest of the reproducer apart, clean and reassemble, with new gaskets (if you are good you could use thin cardboard cut into gaskets).
- the writing on the inside of your reproducer looks good but if you want to you can blacken the indented lettering to make it stand out even more,

Finally let us know how it went and supply photos.

Bruce

[cweastlick]

Excellent! Thanks so much. I'll keep you posted.