Do the HMV No5 and No4 have the same rear flange? PLEASE!!!!

[12jslater]

I need to know as soon as possible.

Thanks, Jake

[JerryVan]

You might get better & more immediate response by posting your question in the foreign makes category.

[Phono48]

The No.5 has a larger flange fitting than the No.4, but the flanges are interchangeable, as the outer size is the same.

Barry

[12jslater]

thank you so much!

[gramophone-georg]

Not so fast.

I've heard that Victrola 4 and Orthophonic reproducers can be adapted by swapping flanges over and over on this side of the pond as well... but it just ain't so. the Victrola #4 flange just swims in an Orthophonic reproducer. It could be adapted with a rubber sleeve but it's most definitely NOT a "bolt on" swap.

I have both HMV and Victrola #4 reproducers here and they both use the same flange. Just to verify, I'll pull the #5 repro off my HMV 104 to check, but if I recall correctly the HMV #5 again takes the same flange as the Orthophonic.

I'll update this later HMV to HMV, but my gut and memory tells me that it won't work without some slight mods.

[gramophone-georg]

Reporting back on this... the #4 flange definitely fits the HMV #5a reproducer better than the Orthophonic, but it still isn't a firm fit- it just drops right in and isn't quite a flush fit at all. It'll wobble for sure on the two set screws. Maybe a single wrap of black electrical tape around the outer edge of the #4 flange will make it work fine but there is a definite difference in circumference here.

EDIT: It could also be the repro #4 flanges I'm getting, too.

[epigramophone]

I have an HMV No.5b soundbox which a previous owner has fitted with a No.4 flange, no doubt to update an earlier machine. The flange is a perfect fit.

Another word of warning though. I have seen many HMV soundboxes damaged by ham-fisted attempts at removing the flange, so proceed with caution especially when undoing the securing screw. Old pot metal needs gentle treatment.

[Phono48]

Coincidentally, yesterday I saw in our local antique centre a bog-standard black 101, priced at £210.00!!! I have bought a couple of 101s from him before, so asked politely why so expensive? His answer was because it had a "very rare" No.5B soundbox that "was specially made for the 101 and was only made for a very short time". He wouldn't accept my explanation that the flange was interchangeable, despite my pointing out that the 5B was chrome, whilst the rest of the fittings were nickel. The idiot shouldn't be allowed to sell gramophones!