Orthophonic Reproducer Rebuild

[Sartana]

I did some looking around on the site regarding who folks are recommending to rebuild their Orthophonic reproducers. I see Walt Sommers name pop up, but I am concerned about the turn around time. I saw Jeff Lutton in California mentioned, but I do not have his contact information. I see on eBay someone advertising their services ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Victor-Orthophonic- ... 19bc68ac4d ), but I would like some references from this board. He has been talked about here ( http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ic+rebuild ) but no one commented on his actual service. Any other thoughts?

[AZ*]

Better safe than sorry. I discussed this topic with some other collectors a few weeks ago. It seems that several of the noted Orthophonic rebuilders are somewhat eccentric, and less than reliable. Some people have had great results with them, some not so great, and a few people are struggling to get these guys to let them know when the job will be finished. I was considering sending one of my Orthophonic soundboxes off, but haven't done so yet based on the stories I've heard.

Good luck.

[Guest]

I can only echo what was said above. I had an ortho rebuild by one of the well-known services. The work was very good - but it took ages and communications were lacking. A much quicker way might be to see if any of the services will sell you a rebuilt one already on hand, and maybe give a trade-in on yours.

[Nat]

I've had the same experience as above. I sent my ortho reproducer in to a well-known service - excellent results, but it took a very long time and communications were not what one might expect. You might do better to see if any of the services have a re-built reproducer in stock, and if they would give you some sort of trade-in on the one you have. If this works, it could save a lot of time and hassle. Walt Sommers ships very quickly if he has things on hand.

Nat

[OrthoFan]

Hi Sartana:


I've had about four Orthophonic sound boxes rebuilt over the past 30 years by others, and was only satisfied with one of them. The person who did it, unfortunately, is deceased.

If this is the ALL BRASS sound box you've described in your other post -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6364 -- then swapping it would not be an option unless they have a better all brass sound box to swap it for.

The interesting thing about the early brass Orthophonic sound boxes is that, unless the diaphragm is damaged, or there is rust or corrosion on the metal parts, such as the needle-bar, they actually need very little restoration work, except for replacing the ball bearings, if they're shot. I've talked to a couple of restorers who have noted that the all-brass sound boxes they've worked on had relatively fresh gaskets--paper backed rubber--which still did a proper job of sealing. (Don't know if this is true or not, so perhaps others might confirm???)

You can probably change out the ball bearings yourself, if you follow the simple steps outlined in this article -- http://www.gracyk.com/orthosound.shtml

As for the rubber O-ring, which fits into the sound box's throat, I believe that is also available as a replacement part today; not sure.

BTW, if the sound box you have rattles or buzzes on certain notes, as a test, you might open the end caps covering the needle-bar pivot, and with a pencil or even a Q-tip, gently press on the balls to make sure they are all in position. If a loose ball is the issue, you'll hear an immediate improvement once it's in place.

HTH,
OF

[AZ*]

As for the rubber O-ring, which fits into the sound box's throat, I believe that is also available as a replacement part today; not sure.

Ron Sitko sells these. His contact info is in this thread (no website nor email):

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=8&t=195

[James]

Hi Sartana:

Hi Ortho_Fan,

If the deceased repairman your pertaining to was Mr. Bob Waltrip, yes, he was over ten years ago, his tools and supplies were bought by Mr. Jeff Lutton, e-mail [email protected]. He was applying the same technique of Mr. Waltip, as commented by R.J. Wakeman. Jess restored one of my pot metal Orthophonic reproducers for Credenza, and I am very pleased. I would recommend Jeff highly.

James

I've had about four Orthophonic sound boxes rebuilt over the past 30 years by others, and was only satisfied with one of them. The person who did it, unfortunately, is deceased.

If this is the ALL BRASS sound box you've described in your other post -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6364 -- then swapping it would not be an option unless they have a better all brass sound box to swap it for.

The interesting thing about the early brass Orthophonic sound boxes is that, unless the diaphragm is damaged, or there is rust or corrosion on the metal parts, such as the needle-bar, they actually need very little restoration work, except for replacing the ball bearings, if they're shot. I've talked to a couple of restorers who have noted that the all-brass sound boxes they've worked on had relatively fresh gaskets--paper backed rubber--which still did a proper job of sealing. (Don't know if this is true or not, so perhaps others might confirm???)

You can probably change out the ball bearings yourself, if you follow the simple steps outlined in this article -- http://www.gracyk.com/orthosound.shtml

As for the rubber O-ring, which fits into the sound box's throat, I believe that is also available as a replacement part today; not sure.

BTW, if the sound box you have rattles or buzzes on certain notes, as a test, you might open the end caps covering the needle-bar pivot, and with a pencil or even a Q-tip, gently press on the balls to make sure they are all in position. If a loose ball is the issue, you'll hear an immediate improvement once it's in place.

HTH,
OF