Can someone identify this reproducer?

[dale h]

This was on a VV-IX that I recently bought as a parts machine. Should have had an exhibition. This one doesn't match any Victrola reproducer that I have found online. So, what is it?

Thanks

Dale H

[JerryVan]

A generic aftermarket replacement. Often seen on 1940's portable phonographs.

[dale h]

It is heavy and the design does not appear to be very sophisticated, so I am guessing it would not be an improvement over an original exhibition or a #2.

Thanks

Dale H

[OrthoFan]

It is heavy and the design does not appear to be very sophisticated, so I am guessing it would not be an improvement over an original exhibition or a #2.

Thanks

Dale H

It wouldn't be authentic. It might offer an improvement for playing later electrically recorded records--those made from mid-1925 and after--(SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_o ... _recording )--but only if it's rebuilt with soft diaphragm gaskets, a fresh back throat gasket, and adjusted properly .

Interestingly, a question about a non-branded portable from the 1940s came up recently that has a photo of an identical style reproducer/sound-box. SEE: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=51320 -- second page.

[Inigo]

It's found in many later portables in the US, as Birch, and many other brands.
Surely when restored properly it should sound great.
The horn of a Vic ix is not exponential, though, so don't expect a great great sound. But I'm curious if anyone has ever tested a soundbox like this one on a credenza or a grand Viva tonal...

[OrthoFan]

It's found in many later portables in the US, as Birch, and many other brands.
Surely when restored properly it should sound great.
The horn of a Vic ix is not exponential, though, so don't expect a great great sound. But I'm curious if anyone has ever tested a soundbox like this one on a credenza or a grand Viva tonal...

I have, on a Credenza, and while it did not have the full response of an original Orthophonic sound box--somewhat lacking in bass--it was a close match. In fact, sometime in the late 1930s or in the 1940s, RCA Victor dealers offered this type of sound box as a replacement for the (one assumes crumbling) original Orthophonic sound boxes installed on the Orthophonic Victor products.

There's one for sale on my local Craigslist: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/d/ ... 30648.html

OrthoFan

[Inigo]

It's clear, it's a typical metal diaphragm soundbox, but without the refinements of the Victor ( I believe the fundamentals are: the spider, the bullet in the air outlet, and the backplate shaped equal to the diaphragm corrugations so the air chamber thickness is uniform behind the diaphragm)

[dale h]

Interestingly, a question about a non-branded portable from the 1940s came up recently that has a photo of an identical style reproducer/sound-box. SEE: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=51320 -- second page.

Looks identical, except for the sexy red diaphragm. Thanks for pointing that thread out to me.

It wouldn't be authentic. It might offer an improvement for playing later electrically recorded records--those made from mid-1925 and after--(SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_o ... _recording )--but only if it's rebuilt with soft diaphragm gaskets, a fresh back throat gasket, and adjusted properly .

Does anyone offer replacement diaphragm gaskets for these or am I on my own here? I can find something to use for the throat gasket. Doesn't seem to be much to adjust on this, just the axial load on the pivot.

I may use it temporarily until I get a proper reproducer set up. I have an exhibition and a #2 on my bench now, but both have issues. Right now I have the screws soaking in Kroil to loosen them up.

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

Dale H

[OrthoFan]

Does anyone offer replacement diaphragm gaskets for these or am I on my own here? I can find something to use for the throat gasket. Doesn't seem to be much to adjust on this, just the axial load on the pivot.
Dale H

Hi Dale:

You could try posting a want ad in the Yankee Trader forum of this site for the gaskets. They should be fairly soft and flexible to allow the diaphragm to plunge slightly when a needle is tightened, as is the case with the Orthophonic and Viva-tonal diaphragms.

As for the needle bar pivot, that's about the only adjustment you can make.

The pointed screws on either side should be adjusted so that the needle bar sits exactly in the center, and is free to move back and forth with the needle, with little to no tension so it tracks the record groove--but not in the opposite direction. In other words, there should be no sideways shake or movement of the needle bar, which will cause distortion.

OrthoFan

[Inigo]

Yes, it's a very fine adjustment. A bit difficult, but it can be done. With the pivots of the hmv no4/5a I always find the difficulty that you must play with the pivots, and with the fixing nuts, as when you turn the nuts to secure the position of the pivot screws, these tend to turn also... So the adjustment must be refined with the nut and screw at the same time. At times one needs three hands!
But some trial and error... and eventuality it's done!