Just Purchased- 1933 RCA Model 331

[gemering]

Please forgive me if this machine is more appropriately discussed on a radio forum.

I just picked up this 1933 RCA Model 331 last night.
I am not overly familiar with what I'd consider a later model phonograph.
My first of what may be many questions, is regarding the damaged tonearm base, which has deteriorated (see photo).
Am I out of luck with this or can it somehow be repaired, or do I need to find a donor machine?

Thank you for any advice or help that may be provided.

Gene

[marcapra]

I'm somewhat familiar with these, since I owned a model 330 and a 1934 model 341. These are called Duo models, I think because they have two speeds and can play 33 ⅓ Victor Program Transcription discs, but not Lps! Notice how compact the radio chassis is! My radio tech said it was a bear to rebuild. But my phono-man fixed the changer with very little work, just tightened the cable. In these years RCA seemed to want to de-emphasize the word "Victrola" and stopped using it on their phonographs for awhile. You might want to contact Uncle Vanya on this model as he has the expertise and maybe the part.

[ALVES]

Lovely machine .
That tone arm looks scary ..It doesn't look like the tracking alignment is designed well on it either .
It will look lovely when cleaned up .

[De Soto Frank]

Gene,

Looks like a lovely project machine !

I can't tell for sure by looking at the tone-arm bracket, but if repros are not available, it appears from the top-side to be a relatively straight-forward flange mounting that could probably be duplicated by a good machinist. Unless there's funky cast-bits underneath...


Frank

[Garret]

Is it true that this changer variety is a record muncher?

Garret

[OrthoSean]

Not in my experience. I have one of the bigger models in storage that I used regularly for years, I never had any issues.

Sean

[startgroove]

gamering: That tone arm base looks nearly identical to the ones used on both the changers and the non-record changing RCA Victor and Electrola phonographs of the 1931-1933 era. I have several of those and I've just compared the two to your photos. They appear to be so close in appearance (to my eye) that even if you find one that is not identical, it likely would be a lot easier to adapt it, than to make one from scratch. The non-changer version of that player are easier to find. Here's one on an RCA RAE84.