Early VV2-55 reproducer question - early vs later pot metal

[thatonejohn]

I picked up a VV2-55 with a serial number in the 14xxx range, so early in their production of 300k+ machines. Looking at a couple later ones, the differences we noticed were the cup that holds the reproducer, and the early one has an actual plate for the serial number vs being stamped onto the speed control arm.

Were the early unstable pot metal reproducers any different cosmetically than the more stable later ones? It came with a brunswick reproducer wedged onto electrical tape that was wrapped around the tone arm. There's a website out there that says "The tone arm bracket (and the sound box) are the two pot metal parts in the 2-55. Other than the very early examples, the pot metal on these machines is very good, and rarely swells or cracks."

[winsleydale]

Other than the presence or lack of a phase plug and spider, neither of which are apparent at a quick glance, the main cosmetic difference between early and late portable OSBs is the shielding under the cover that cuts some of the needle noise. Yours, like mine and like other earlier ones, has orange felt. Later ones, I think specifically after the RCA merger (somebody may correct me here), had some sort of woven wire or something (I don't know because I've never personally held one of those ones, but it looks like wire)

[Henry]

The photo shows a sound box that doesn't look like any Ortho box I've ever seen. What's the story?

[martinola]

Looks like a Brunswick Panatrope acoustic type sound box. A buddy of mine has one of these on his 1926 Cordova and it sounds great.

Martin

[Henry]

OK, I missed that. OP already said it was a Brunswick. Wake me up in time for dinner.

[estott]

Other than the presence or lack of a phase plug and spider, neither of which are apparent at a quick glance, the main cosmetic difference between early and late portable OSBs is the shielding under the cover that cuts some of the needle noise. Yours, like mine and like other earlier ones, has orange felt. Later ones, I think specifically after the RCA merger (somebody may correct me here), had some sort of woven wire or something (I don't know because I've never personally held one of those ones, but it looks like wire)

Wire over thin felt- with portables there was a danger of loose needles getting into the soundbox

[CarlosV]

Were the early unstable pot metal reproducers any different cosmetically than the more stable later ones?

I have a number of these machines, they are one of the best portable models ever made soundwise. The back bracket is unstable in all models: the few that are not broken today show those ominous cracks announcing that doom is near. The portable soundbox pot metal is more durable than the original ones made for the large machines. I never tried to tamper with these soundboxes, though, not even tried to replace the hardened rubber, as doing that probably will crack the pot metal back.

It would be nice if replacement back brackets for the portable were available, but I never found any source.