VV4-3 Restored

[Paul Cappelloni]

A few weeks ago I posted photographs of my grandfather's Victrola 4-3 straight from the attic of his house. (see post http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6058) Since then I found a lid from Great Lakes Antique Phonograph. George Vollema also replace my broken tonearm support. Here a quick video of it playing Is It Possible - Fox Trot 20819-b

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn30i6RTaUo[/youtube]

I want to thank everyone how offered advise, leads on parts, and encouragement.

[OrthoFan]

It looks like you've done a great job, but the turntable is spinning WAY too fast. It sounds like it's turning about 90 rpm, instead of 78 rpm.

The record should sound like this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifb48PEVKOQ[/youtube]

If you don't have a strobe handy, you can clamp a bit of tissue paper under a record and count the number of times the paper it hits your finger as the turntable spins -- For 78 rpm, the paper should strike your finger 39 times in 30 seconds.

You can actually get a good disc strobe online--that you can print with a standard printer--that works with a light bulb shining on it, but I can't find the link for it right now.

You'll notice a considerable improvement in the sound quality once you get the turntable at the correct speed.

HTH,
OF

[recordo]

Here's a link to the vintage record changers site that allows you to print out a strobe card:

http://myvintagetv.com/strobe.htm

[OrthoFan]

Hi Recordo:

Yes that's that link. Many thanks.

There are other, simpler strobes, available online.

I found the one I use, this morning, which I got from the Old Crank site --

http://www.oldcrank.com/articles/ (60 Hz for US/50 Hz for Europe, etc.)

It's very basic--just three speeds--but it works pretty well.

[Paul Cappelloni]

You know that is what I thought. I thought I could do it by ear but I guess my ear is off . Thanks to the link to the strobe. I'll work calibrating the speed with that but the example of the recording playing at the correct speed is a big help. I make the new video and at 78 rpm without the Alvin & Chipmunk effect.

Thanks again,

[OrthoFan]

Hi Paul:

I look forward to seeing/hearing the new video. The Consolette, for its size, is a very powerful performer. While the horn is too small to pump out true bass, you do get excellent mid-range sound and solid treble. Depending on the room's acoustic properties, there may also be a good "impression of bass." I remember that the one I had did an especially good job of playing later electrical recordings, such as those made during the "Big Band" era, providing I used a soft tone needle.


OF

[EdiBrunsVic]

The Victrola looks great!

[Paul Cappelloni]

Here are some photos of the cabinet before I received the lid and installed it. I followed the basic restoration process that is available on this forum. Kotten Klenser is a wonderful product and was used to remove decades of dust and exposure to wide temperature swings. The only thing I didn't do is rebuild the orthophonic reproducer or change the gasket between it and the tonearm. I am afraid that the pot metal will crumble if I mess with it.

crank_side.jpg (50.17 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

front_open.jpg (47.12 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

front_closed.jpg (48.14 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

plater.jpg (80.21 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

The one orthophonic record I have is the one that my brothers and I would play when we were kids using the same needle multiple times or a used needle since we didn't know any better. Unfortunately that record is pretty beat up as a result. I know now that it is one needle to one play and in the discard pot it goes.

[Paul Cappelloni]

Thanks for pointing me to the strobe patterns. That was very helpful in correcting the speed. Here the playback of side A of the same Victor VE record (20819-A " What Do We Do On A Dew-Dew-Dewy Day"). I apologies for the poor condition of this recording. It was subjected to children (me and my bothers) that didn't know the proper way to the machine.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOcQ83tzR6w[/youtube]

[FloridaClay]

Congrats. It is alwasy great to see another survivor brought back to life.

Clay