Victrola No. 4 Reproducer

[Victrolacollector]

The Victrola No. 4 was the acoustic-mica type reproducer which was supposedly able to reproduce both acoustic and electrically recorded records (i.e. Orthophonic records). This reproducer has turned up on the VV 1-70 as well some of the smaller suitcase portable machines. It is my understanding this particular reproducer could also be purchased as a seperate item to upgrade an existing phonograph.

My assessment has been that this Victrola No. 4 often suffers from bad cracks from the pot-metal used. A good rebuilt No. 4 can sound better in my opinion than an Exhibition or even a No. 2. The problem is in obtaining gaskets for these reproducers.

1. Does anyone sell gasket seals for the No. 4? (the white rubber tubing is too tight and stresses the soundbox
and causes the metal to split and crack.

2. What are the opinions of fellow collectors on the No. 4 soundbox?

3. On machines such as VV 1-70 with bad soundboxes? Have collectors opted to replace with a Victrola No. 2 or
Victor Exhibition?

[OrthoSean]

I got a pretty nice 1-70 last year with a pot metal #4 that I decided to rebuild. I ended up having great success using a Columbia Grafonola type gasket that I cut and pieced into the back very carefully and used white gaskets just on one side. It sounds great and doesn't put too much stress on the body itself. The thing sounds great.

Sean

[Retrograde]

just for clarity, the Victrola No. 4 is brass, the 4A is pot metal. I have several No. 4 reproducers and all were rebuilt using the Columbia sized mica diaphragms. The gaskets I bought were original style single piece gaskets from a bloke in England. I'd have to dig up the email, but it might have been soundgen on eBay.

The #4 is a superb soundbox.

[Uncle Vanya]

I've salvaged a couple of composite diaphragms from late gold painted 4A reproducers which were originally fitted to VV2-60 portables. the consist of an Exhibition sized Mica diaphragm glued to a thin aluminum ring, which is clamped around it's periphery with the usual Victrola 4 gasket. these odd, late diaphragms really improve the overall reproduction of the No. 4 sound box.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Here's a brochure that Victor printed touting the Victrola No 4 as an upgrade for your older Victrola. Seems very few people did this, possibly because they weren't particularly cheap.
I downloaded this from a discussion on the former Board. The quality isn't the best...I think it came from an Ebay listing...but it is interesting.

Jim

[Victrolacollector]

Thanks for posting the scan...that is very interesting that they were pushing this as a upgrade for the old machines looks like people just opted for the Orthophonic. I am thinking most people bought suitcase orthophonics just seems to be my opinion, the IPOD of the 1920's

[estott]

just for clarity, the Victrola No. 4 is brass, the 4A is pot metal. I have several No. 4 reproducers and all were rebuilt using the Columbia sized mica diaphragms. The gaskets I bought were original style single piece gaskets from a bloke in England. I'd have to dig up the email, but it might have been soundgen on eBay.

The #4 is a superb soundbox.

If it came from a Gramophone Co machine it can be either pot metal or brass, but if it originally came from a Victor machine it is most definitely pot metal.

[WDC]

1. Does anyone sell gasket seals for the No. 4? (the white rubber tubing is too tight and stresses the soundbox and causes the metal to split and crack.

The HMV 101 was my very first machine which I got when I was six years old. This one has a No. 4 reproducer and it really does its job pretty well. The large mica diaphragm does an important part to it.

The white rubber tubing from Ron Sitko works totally fine with a No. 4, but there are less softer materials sold which can cause this problem.

There are special No. 4 repro gaskets available. I got one for mine some time ago and it looks totally authentic, plays nicely too, of course. Try to get in touch with the eBay seller soundgen who sells lots of repro spare parts. He should have them. He offers lots of different gasket types on his website.

[alang]

That website doesn't seem to have changed since 2008 and the links to the sellers eBay store don't work anymore. It seems that seller soundgen does not have an eBay store anymore, but he still sells items on eBay.
Andreas

[Zeppy]

just for clarity, the Victrola No. 4 is brass, the 4A is pot metal. I have several No. 4 reproducers and all were rebuilt using the Columbia sized mica diaphragms. The gaskets I bought were original style single piece gaskets from a bloke in England. I'd have to dig up the email, but it might have been soundgen on eBay.

The #4 is a superb soundbox.

If it came from a Gramophone Co machine it can be either pot metal or brass, but if it originally came from a Victor machine it is most definitely pot metal.

There are actually all brass Victor No. 4 reproducers (I have 2). I don't know if the ones supplied on machines ever came in brass, but they did sell some (most obvious way to tell...besides the lack of crack, and saying 4A on the back, is the pot metal ones have raised lettering on the face of the reproducer, and the brass ones only have it painted).