Odd Adaptations to Original Reproducers

[outune]

I have two reproducers that have had well-done adaptations to them. Thought I'd share these two, with the hope that others may also have some reproducers that have been changed in some way.

These both look to be adaptations, but if anyone has info that says these are legitimate, please let me know.

First-- What would appear at first glance to be a Columbia/Client long-throat reproducer. I bought it on a machine at auction and didn't really pay much attention to it until I started to rebuild it some months later. At some point in it's life, it would appear that the needle-bar block was removed and a triangular hole, Exhibition needle bar was adapted to fit. Not only is the Exhibition bar bent to fit the circumference of the housing, but the housing was notched to allow the needle bar to be attached to the diaphragm without hitting the housing. Whoever did it, did a very nice job.

Second-- What appeared to be a 'normal' Exhibition was discovered to be adapted. I first noticed that the diaphragm had been painted black, so it was no longer transparent. When I disassembled it, I found that the surface area where the VTM and Exhibition info is usually found, had been routed out to create a very even, deep groove. I would presume that this was an attempt to create more resonance or bass response. It was extremely well-done. Very smooth and even. I left it as-is (for now). At some point I'll install a clear diaphragm and new gaskets and see if I can tell any difference between this one and a standard Exhibition.

Anyone else have any unusual adaptations to share??

Brad Abell

[Curt A]

The Columbia is interesting with that needle bar installed... The "Exhibition" may not be an actual "Exhibition", it may be a knock off which was factory made with the deep groove. It looks too well made to have been done at home... but what do I know?

[startgroove]

In agreement with Curt. A Victor Exhibition will (only a few did not) have a serial number on the back side of the flange that fits within a range. Does that one have such a number?

[outune]

Thanks Startgroove-- I hadn't thought about that-- Yes- Serial # on back plate is 705557A. This is the plate that has been modified.

Brad Abell

[outune]

Pic of back plate with serial number-- 705557A

Brad Abell

[startgroove]

That appears to be a Victor number sequence. The closest number I have to it is 683290A, both yours and mine are higher numbers, with the lowest number I have being 5 characters (except for one that does not have a number). Likely you have a modified Victor reproducer. Now, the question is, what did the modification do? Have you compared to an unmodified Exhibition? Cheers, Russie

[outune]

I decided to rebuild the adapted "Exhibition" reproducer-- I found that the needle bar spring screws were larger than originals-- the housing had been tapped to accept larger screws-- No locking nuts were on it-- It looks pretty neat IMHO. Shown next to an early Exhibition.

When I played them on a Humpback II, I couldn't notice any real difference in the sound-- Perhaps it was my imagination, but the "groovy" one might have had a slightly fuller sound...and that could be attributed to slight differences in the diaphragm (original one on the non-adapted reproducer--and a repro diaphragm on the grooved one) At least to my old ears, I couldn't hear any significance difference.

Brad Abell

[VanEpsFan1914]

I decided to rebuild the adapted "Exhibition" reproducer-- I found that the needle bar spring screws were larger than originals-- the housing had been tapped to accept larger screws-- No locking nuts were on it-- It looks pretty neat IMHO. Shown next to an early Exhibition.

When I played them on a Humpback II, I couldn't notice any real difference in the sound-- Perhaps it was my imagination, but the "groovy" one might have had a slightly fuller sound...and that could be attributed to slight differences in the diaphragm (original one on the non-adapted reproducer--and a repro diaphragm on the grooved one) At least to my old ears, I couldn't hear any significance difference.

Brad Abell

This is cool-- But I wonder if that paint had something to do with altering the diaphragm? It may have been someone's attempt, years ago, to cut down the ringing mica overtones from the old Exhibition box and make it sound more like a Cheney or something with a composite diaphragm.

[outune]

Hmmm-- Good thought-- I am definitely not an audiophile-- My ear isn't as tuned as others'. I did keep the original diaphragm that was painted and will keep it in a box with the reproducer, with a note explaining how it was found. The clear diaphragm allows the adaptation to be seen. Definitely one of the more interesting modifications I've seen.

Brad Abell

[drh]

I was glancing through Eric Reiss's The Complete Talking Machine (3d ed.) a few minutes ago, and on p. 48 I spotted a photo that seems relevant to the discussion. It's the second one down on the left, showing a quartet of Exhibition reproducers, and, although the photo isn't a model of clarity, to my eye the reproducer on the top left appears to have the same configuration as the one under discussion here. The photo caption describes it as "Victor Exhibition of pre WWI vintage."