What's your opinion on VV-VI

[VictrolaGuy - Walt]

Carl, check your emails. I responded to the one you sent me about this.

[Carl]

Yes, and not expensive... Although the machine was so cheap that maybe the parts cost more...
...
As others have said, if you're patient and have some basic mechanical abilities, it's an easy machine to repair and make it look and work nicely.

I definitely don't mind putting in the work. I'm a tinkerer. I did a Google search for Royal reproducer parts since my earlier post, but came up empty handed. I'll keep looking. I want to do it myself, and not send it out. Thank you for your motivation talk.

[Inigo]

Don't look for specific parts; mica diaphragms of many different diameters are for sale by well known vendors, and the gaskets are made of thin hollow soft rubber tube, cut by yourself to the required size.
After you disassemble carefully the diaphragm, just post here photos and we can guide you through the process
You can also look for the Dislexic Genius Hurt (or others) videos on YouTube and try to find some related to repairing a gramophone soundbox, just to get a first idea of what is involved... Delicate parts, very small screws, but nothing too difficult if you are patient and mechanically inclined, as you said...

[Dischoard]

It looks like someone used spray foam to rebuild that reproducer? I've never seen anything like it.

While I don't go the spray-foam route, I have tried my hand at rebuilding reproducers of the two easier styles that Victor made, maybe these will be of help, if for nothing else than a quick trick on how to get the beeswax in place...

Rebuilding an Edison Improved Concert Reproducer

Rebuilding a Victor Exhibition Reproducer

Let us know how it goes!

PS. Oh, and the VV-VI was my first wind up, bought it while I was in college in the 90s. It's currently in my bedroom waiting for me to adjust it so that the brake stops rubbing every time I drop a needle on a record

Aron

[Carl]

Rebuilding an Edison Improved Concert Reproducer

Rebuilding a Victor Exhibition Reproducer

Let us know how it goes!

Aron

I definitely will. Thanks for the links. I'll check them out for sure.

[Carl]

I'm in the process of rebuilding the "Royal" brand reproducer that came with this machine. When I went to disassemble it there were no issues. When I went to reassemble it, the needle bar to diaphragm screw was stripped to the extent that it was useless. So I need a screw. My question is, are all needle bar to diaphragm screws the same for all reproducers? I read a post suggesting that a new screw would do the same if the female threads on the needle bar were stripped, and of course, that makes sense, but the screw is so bad, that it's obvious the screw is at least one of the culprits. But, there's always a but, I suppose, and maybe the needle bar threads are messed up also, in which case where to get a needle bar? A new screw is the first step, either way. Thank you.

[JerryVan]

I'm in the process of rebuilding the "Royal" brand reproducer that came with this machine. When I went to disassemble it there were no issues. When I went to reassemble it, the needle bar to diaphragm screw was stripped to the extent that it was useless. So I need a screw. My question is, are all needle bar to diaphragm screws the same for all reproducers? I read a post suggesting that a new screw would do the same if the female threads on the needle bar were stripped, and of course, that makes sense, but the screw is so bad, that it's obvious the screw is at least one of the culprits. But, there's always a but, I suppose, and maybe the needle bar threads are messed up also, in which case where to get a needle bar? A new screw is the first step, either way. Thank you.

Some hobby shops sell tiny screws and nuts. If the hole in the needle bar is stripped, look for a screw small enough to slip through and put a nut on it to secure the needle bar to the diaphragm.

[Inigo]

Yes
Some Columbia Viva Tonal reproducers used tiny screw & nut for diaphragm attachment...

[Carl]

I like the idea of the longer screw and nut.
Thanks

[Damfino59]

Speaking of the VV-VI ...
Well, I bought it. And to my surprise it works rather nicely. The motor mech is very gummy and greasy, but nothing that a good cleaning can't remedy, and it's all there. It works and it was $25.

It needs a felt mat, and the reproducer needs to be rebuilt or replaced. The reproducer is a "Royal" brand that definitely requires rebuilding. This leads me to my next question: should I spend for a No 2 or spend to rebuild the Royal? Authenticity isn't my goal, casual listening if anything, and probably not all that often is what this player will be used for.

Opinions, please. I know the player only cost $25, but I still want to do what's smartest. Thanks

download/file.php?id=210298&mode=view

That Royal reproducer looks familiar to me. It looks like a Sonora/Paillard reproducer.

Dyslexic Genius has a great video on repairing these:

https://youtu.be/-wWkAySDmAs?si=Bpxn9b8-j9ije8F8