VICTROLA VV 2-55 help needed (I'm new to this)

[OrthoFan]

So the indented box held the used needles? Why would they want to save the used needles? Needles are supposed to only be used once. I can't imagine in 1928 that they'd care if the used needles were just thrown away or just chucked to the ground...like a cigarette butt.

I'd love to see a picture of the the box/clips in action...it's still a bit murky to me!

You're right, steel needles are to be used only once or twice, and then discarded.

The relatively thin Tungs-Tone or Tungstone (tungsten) needle box, as shown below, was inserted into the clips, covering the recessed area or "cup" below.

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2Capture.JPG (46.46 KiB) Viewed 1214 times

In addition to multi-use Tungs-Tone needles -- see https://www.gracyk.com/needletips.shtml -- you could also use conventional (one use) steel needles or other types, such as bamboo or thorn, which could also be stored in the cup.

By the way, I'd hate to think people chucked used steel needles in the grass when they took their Victrola out for a romp in the country or on a picnic, especially if people were running around with bare feet!

HTH,
OrthoFan

[MarkH]

Ah, thank you so much for that info! I now need to acquire a Tungs-Tone box to fit into the clips...as well as my missing cup for the reproducer.

Any help with either would be greatly appreciated!

My grandparent's VV 2-55 has seen better days...a lot of the gold paint on the parts have been worn away, the leather-type covering of the case has broken free in the corners. And from talking with my Mom, this wasn't even part of her life (she was born in 1940). I can't believe the gold paint was so worn away from use in 15-20 years. Guessing it was because it was stored in cold/hot cycles for the past 60 years.

And the clip/box picture shows no gold paint, just a rusty piece of metal.

I'd like to keep the patina on my player...but some of the parts need a bit of love.

EDIT: OrthoFan - your picture doesn't show that raised cup I keep talking about. Maybe mine didn't come with one?

[OrthoFan]

OrthoFan - your picture doesn't show that raised cup I keep talking about. Maybe mine didn't come with one?

You mean the rest for the sound box (aka reproducer)?

Yes, your model did come with one but these are often lost. Here's a couple of photos showing two styles.

Early 2-55 (Like the one you have) --

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NOTE -- This one is missing the black rubber insert which holds the reproducer snugly in place.

Later style 2-55 --

2Capture.JPG (40.82 KiB) Viewed 1173 times

Solid rubber. (May be a reproduction judging from the excellent condition.)

I don't know how available this part is.

OrthoFan

[shoshani]

The reproducer is the same as the soundbox. Soundbox is a term that gets used to talk about disc phonograph reproducers for some reason. Not sure why but you'll have to find someone who's studied the history of these old things even more closely and ask them for the skinny.

Specifically, Victor and HMV called it a soundbox, while Columbia and Edison called it a reproducer. In the case of Columbia and Edison, it was a reproducer regardless of whether it was on a cylinder or disc machine; Edison Diamond Disc phonographs had reproducers, as did Columbia Grafonolas, while the Victrola and the Gramophone had a soundbox, be it Exhibition, No 2, No 4, Orthophonic, or No 5/5a/5b.

[MarkH]

Ah, thanks everyone!

Thanks OrthoFan for helping me understand the "rest" cup for the soundbox. I really appreciate it!

So this was brought up a few pages ago - about cleaning my old shellac records. I was wondering if using a stiff nylon brush (used lightly) would help get the gunk out of the record groves? Maybe that's too aggressive for these records?

Any feedback would be great!

Thanks again for all the advice,
Mark

[52089]

Ah, thanks everyone!

Thanks OrthoFan for helping me understand the "rest" cup for the soundbox. I really appreciate it!

So this was brought up a few pages ago - about cleaning my old shellac records. I was wondering if using a stiff nylon brush (used lightly) would help get the gunk out of the record groves? Maybe that's too aggressive for these records?

Any feedback would be great!

Thanks again for all the advice,
Mark

Many opinions on how to clean records. Here's a sample:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17257&hilit=+dawn

Searching the board will give you more.

[MarkH]

Thanks so much for the link! Just wanna do it right.

Mark