My First Turntable Felt Replacement

[ambrola]

Nice photos, Retrograde. That felt is the best color match I've seen, but you're right about the nap. The new felt has a linear, reflective, fibrous quality not seen in old felts. For this reason, I never, never replace turntable felt unless it's completely missing or huge pieces are gone.

This wasn't really a concern for me until about 10 years ago when I was searching for a nice AH Graphophone. I realized that I was being turned off of otherwise nice machines because of replacement turntable felts; usually the "pool table" green variety. I decided that I just couldn't spend a couple thousand dollars on a machine that had a glaring area shouting, "I'm NEW!"

Maybe I'm a crank, but I remember in the 1960s, 70s, and even 80s when there were 2 kinds of Victrola XVIs: the L-door variety and everything else. Nobody seemed to care about Edison reproducer serial numbers, so installing an early C on a Model D or E machine was just fine. Refinishing meant a coat of polyurethane. A triangular needle hole in the Exhibition you're putting on a front-mount Victor? Sure - as long as it works, why not? My point is that antique phonograph collecting has come a long way, and it continues to evolve. I believe that unnecessarily replacing turntable felt will soon become one of those embarrassing practices that we'll wish we hadn't done.

George P.

But sometimes you have no choice. Such as this AJ I am working on. Beyond help. Click on the pic for a large pic.

[FloridaClay]

Google "wool felt." There are numerous suppliers.

Clay

[CDBPDX]

What is the consensus on this one? Replace the felt or leave it as is? I would be inclined to replace it, even if the new felt didn't exactly match the original.

CDB

[FloridaClay]

What is the consensus on this one? Replace the felt or leave it as is? I would be inclined to replace it, even if the new felt didn't exactly match the original.

CDB

If you ask three collectors, you are likely to get 4 different opinions. To me this one may be a bit over the edge. I would probably replace it.

I am doing some investigation and ordering some samples from a couple of suppliers to see if I can find some nice 100% wool felt in the right color(s), or at least close. Will post something if I find a good match.

Clay

[FloridaClay]

P.S. Does anybody know if there is an on-line reference site showing the original colors for various makes of phonographs?

Clay

[alang]

This was discussed here before http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=2&t=306
I bought from them and found it the best looking replacement felt I've seen so far.
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

Thanks for the link Andreas! It turns out that the owner is away until October 1 because of the impending birth of a grandchild. But I will most definitely give this a try.

Clay

[JerryVan]

Cliff,

I would leave the felt as-is. It can always be replaced at a perspective buyers request but it can never be original again. Always amuses me how some of us like this stuff because it's old, then we do our best to make it look new. Why do we do that?

As to the center hole. All you need to cut a perfect diameter, perfectly centered hole is a ball bearing. Glue the felt on with no hole in the center. Then, place a ball bearing, maybe ⅜" - ½" diameter, over the felt and also over where the turntable hole is located. Tap the ball sharply, but not too hard, with a small hammer and the felt will be cut by the edge of the turntable hole. Use great care with cast iron turntables however!!

[alang]

I also would leave the original felt in this case. If you don't like the look of it you could still place a new felt on top of it. Makes it look nicer, but is reversible.
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

The overlay is an interesting idea Andreas. Will maybe try that. Do you know of a mild adhesive that could be used that would not mar the top of the original felt when the overlay is removed?

You might also try cleaning it a little Cliff. I have had some positive results using turpentine and paper towels, blotting followed by gentle rubbing so as not to make it pill. Leaves it still very much period and original, with most of the use warts still there, but not so much like something the dog had buried in the back yard. You'll smell turpentine for awhile, but it dissipates.

Clay