Seeking good Central Florida restorer

[FloridaClay]

Hi all,

While I am a collector of various other things, I have only recently added phonographs to the mix. I have a Victor VV-VI Victrola that can do with cleaning and lube of the motor, a complete rebuild of the Exhibition sound box, and some general spiffing up. Looking for recommendation for good, reliable restorers in the Central Florida area, preferably in the Space Coast area (I live on Merritt Island) or barring that in the Orlando area. Of course would like somebody both good and who charges reasonable fees. Any recommendations appreciated.

Broke my heart that I had to miss the Orlando phonograph show last weekend, where I likely could have made good contacts and had a great experience from what everyone says, but had an conflicting event I just couldn't get out of.

Clay

[Phonofreak]

Clay,
Welcome to the forum. I don't know anybody in central Fla. I suggest that you get Eric Reiss' book, "The Compleate Talking Machine". Yes, that's the correct spelling. There is a lot of good information about repairs, collecting, price guide and restoration techniques. Also, joining MAPS(Michigan Antique Phonograph Society is a good thing.You get a really nice Bi-monthly magazine In The Grove which had all kinds of info about the hobby. Go a google search and you will find the MAPS website.
Good luck,
Harvey Kravitz

[FloridaClay]

Thanks Harvey! I just joined MAPS a few days ago and my first issue of "In the Grove" arrived yesterday and has been read cover to cover.

Clay

[Jerry B.]

Clay, The Victrola VI is a good basic machine and an excellent one to learn from. If you have minimal mechanical skills ( I fit into that category ) you can do everything yourself. The Exhibition reproducer is easy to rebuild. Probably all you need is a little gasket material to replace the old ones on each side of the clear diaphragm. I use Kotton Klenser to clean my cabinets but others use a pumice free hand cleaner called GoJo with equal results. If your machine was on my workbench, here's what I would do:
1-Let the motor run down.
2-Pop off the turntable. (It should lift straight up)
3-Clean the nickel edge of the turntable with a little 0000 steel wool.
4-Remove the brake, speed control, crank escutcheon, crank and probably the black bracket in the back that the tone arm attaches to. If you remove the tone arm from the bracket, be aware that there may be some little ball bearing to keep track of. Clean and polish all of the previous parts with the fine steel wool.
5-Clean the wood cabinet with the Kotton Klenser or Gojo and apply with 0000 steel wool. Start with the back panel to get the feel and be gentle. Clean one side at a time, wipe it off completely, and go to the next. Kotton Klenser will soften the finish a little but it goes back to normal is a day or two. You'll like either product and you should see dramatic results if your cabinet is dirty.
6-Lift the lid and oil the governor assembly with some good quality light weight oil. Oil each end of the governor and oil the little pads that rub against the brass wheel.
*
Exhibition Reproducer:
1-Remove the three screw on the back side of the reproducer. (To me this is the only difficult part of the job. When I get them out, I'm home free!)
2-Break the two pieces of the reproducer apart. You'll gain access to the inside gasket. It's probably hard and brittle so take it out and throw it away.
3-The tension springs are two little pieces near where the needle goes into the needle bar. If they are broken, they will need to be replaced. ***Question for anyone reading this... if one is broken, do you replace both?*** I only replace the broken ones but I'd love to know others opinions and I'm will to change my ways! The tension springs are cheap. You can remove the needle bar by backing out the tension spring screws and removing the tiny screw under the wax in the middle of the diaphragm. I'd suggest working on your reproducer over a white towel to keep track of the little parts.
4-Cut the gasket tubing so that the ends are a tight fit where the the tubing wraps around and the ends touch. Also, have the ends touch 180 degrees apart. (you can have the inside gasket meet at the needle end and the outside gasket ends meet at the opposite end (top) of the reproducer but the important part is 180 degrees apart)
5-Reassemble your reproducer and for that quality job, replace the tab of wax on the diaphragm screw.
6-Often the rear flange should be changed. Two screws secure it and it's easy to replace.
Your Exhibition should sounds tons better and it's taken longer to type these suggestions than to actually rebuild the reproducer.
*
You have a great little machine and you will not hurt it at all. You will enjoy your Victrola a bit more knowing that you brought it back to life. If you'll send me a PM or email [email protected] , I'll send you a couple of places where you can get the parts you need. The cost for reproducer parts is minimal. Many on this forum replace their own main springs. I have done a few and don't enjoy that part of the hobby. If you need someone to do that job, I'm happy to make suggestions. Happy collecting, Jerry Blais

[NEFaurora]

Clay,

Contact: VTLA MARK (Mark Amos)

E-mail: [email protected]

Mark does lots of Victrola's and he can help you out.

He is a nice guy and lives in Rockledge across the bridge from you.

I only do Edisons. Mark does both.

Tony Kovar ([email protected])
Melbourne, FL

[Brad]

Clay,

Between "The Compleate Talking Machine" and Jerry's advice, you can easily clean up and lubricate your VV-VI in one afternoon. You will be amazed at the results. My advice is to go easy with the steel wool, you want to loosen the old wax and dirt, no scour it off. Go easy with the steel wool on polishing the metal pieces as well. I go lightly and judge my results more by feel.

The repro rebuild is pretty easy too. It may seem daunting before you attempt, but it is really quite easy. There is a good step by step description with pictures on how to rebuild an exhibition sound box here: http://www.nipperhead.com/old/reproducers.htm

Good luck and be sure to take before and after pictures and post them here on the board.

[FloridaClay]

Many thanks to all for the great information!

Clay

[JohnM]

Clay,

Contact: VTLA MARK (Mark Amos)

E-mail: [email protected]

Mark does lots of Victrola's and he can help you out.

He is a nice guy and lives in Rockledge across the bridge from you.

I only do Edisons. Mark does both.

Tony Kovar ([email protected])
Melbourne, FL

When I inquired about a Triumph he has for sale, Mark recently told me that he sends his stuff to Tim Fabrizio for spit and polish. Based on that, I'm not sure if he does his own restorations or not.