WANTED: Exhibition soundbox new rubber back

[Inigo]

Can anyone of you tell me the best source for a new exhibition rubber back? I'm in desperate need for one or two of those. I know there are several sources on the market, but I'd appreciate advice on where is the best place to get them. Maybe direct sale through the forum...
Best regards,

[mick_vt]

Walt Sommers - "cyber_tigger" on ebay

[phonojim]

Ron Sitko.

[phonojim]

Ron Sitko.

[GregVTLA]

Ron Sitko sells them for $8 a piece. I always buy mine from him.

[JohnM]

“Rubber back” is called an ‘isolator’.

[Inigo]

Thanks, colleagues. I've read in old topics in the forum that Ron's rubber backs were somewhat too hard.... It's this true? Is that so important? Has Ron lately changed to a more compliant material?

In other terms, related to the exhibition soundbox overhaul, I've been reading also the old posts of MicaMonster related to several tricks to enhance the efficiency of the exhibition soundbox with small modifications, very clever, which I've also been applying to other HMV soundboxes no. 4 and 5 in these later years, discovered through much thinking, test and trial, with great success. I've also seen that he seemed to be producing new exhibition rubber back flanges made of soft rubber. Have any of you tried those? How is the result? Is he selling them, and at what prices?
Thanks again,

[Inigo]

Ron stiko can only be reached by mail or phone. Do you know if he admits PayPal for payment?
Thanks,

[VanEpsFan1914]

Ron Sitko does not like PayPal. You won't get that to work with him.

I recommend his metal parts--connectors for horns, brake leathers, gaskets, all that. He has some of the cheapest mainsprings in the business and they are very powerful and built with great quality. The last thing I bought was the crank escutcheon for a Victor III horn gramophone. I lost the original and had never been able to find it.

I bought Ron Sitko's isolator for a Columbia Analyzing reproducer. It fits the tonearm on my rear-mount disc Graphophone. Very soft & flexible. However, I have no idea whether he has the right durometer hardness of rubber for a Victor Exhibition isolator.

[mattrx]

Over the years I have bought dozens of Exhibition isolators from Ron and have never been disappointed. Further, he uses original brass inserts for these. If you save the old hardened isolators, you can send them to Ron and he will pay you for them of give you a little credit toward your purchase(s). He removes the old brass for use in new isolators. At least, he has done this for me.

He only deals over the phone and does not use PayPal.

Good Luck!

Matt