My First Phonograph

[NateO]

Rebuilding your Exhibition reproducer is a job you can do. A new mica diaphragm and a foot of white gasket material is all you need. You'll be amazed with the positive results. Everything you need is available from parts suppliers listed in the "Links" portion of the Forum. Welcome to the Forum. Jerry Blais

I have considered doing it myself. My main concern is that the stylus bar is bent, and was pushed through the mica. Replacing the gaskets seems easy enough, but would the damage to the stylus bar be a problem?

[HisMastersVoice]

I have considered doing it myself. My main concern is that the stylus bar is bent, and was pushed through the mica. Replacing the gaskets seems easy enough, but would the damage to the stylus bar be a problem?

Is the needle bar itself bent, or is it one of the balance springs maybe? Or maybe it slipped off of the pivot? If the needle bar is in fact bent, you may be able to procure a replacement from George Vollema http://www.victroladoctor.com/

A picture would help to identify the problem.

[HisMastersVoice]

Thanks for the help everyone! I will try and remove the platter tonight, so hopefully it will work. I am planning to replace the turntable felt, as the original is in rough shape. I also have a question about the break. Was there some type of pad or leather to help stop the turntable?

The felt doesn't really look that bad to me. Remember, it's only original once

There should be a small piece of leather in the brake, a piece of sewing machine belt would work, or you can buy small sections from any of the parts suppliers, which you will need to buy parts from anyway to rebuild your reproducer.

[NateO]

Any suggestions on cleaning the felt? I would prefer to save it, if I can get it to look nice enough.
I am attaching photos of the reproducer, so hopefully they turn out okay. There is a broken piece of metal, which I would guess was one of the balance springs.

[HisMastersVoice]

Yes, the broken piece of metal was one of the 2 balance springs. They should be replaced anyway. The needle bar does appear to be bent...you may be able to carefully bend it back, if not you would need to find a replacement, which should be fairly easy.

[phonogfp]

George,

I agree totally with everything we said ;>)

Three of us nerds typing away simultaneously...



George P.

[Jerry B.]

Let's be accurate. We are not nerds, we are phono-nerds. (and proud of it!) Jerry Blais

[52089]

Let's be accurate. We are not nerds, we are phono-nerds. (and proud of it!) Jerry Blais

Well, I'm both. They're not necessarily mutually exclusive you know

[NateO]

Thanks again for all the help everyone! The turntable came off nicely. I picked up some Howard feed and wax for the cabinet. Any other recommendations of what to use to clean up the cabinet? Though I can't play records yet, I am very happy with the Victrola. It is a great distraction from studying for my final exams...

[phonogfp]

I'm a user of GoJo or Goop (non-pumiced), readily available most anywhere, such as Wal-Mart...

Your machine's finish looks pretty solid, so I'd smear on some GoJo, let it sit for a minute or two, then wipe it off. Repeat if necessary - - otherwise let it dry out for a day or two, then use your Howard's.

The turntable felt can be carefully brushed with a soft bristle brush. Do it outside! Drag the bristles across the felt (like a steel needle on a record) and you may be surprised how much crud comes off.

Good luck!

George P.