How to get maximum sound from Brunswick Panatrope Portable.

[larryh]

I recently picked up a Brunswick Panatrope portable. Partly because it was the very first type of portable I ever owned. It had poor sound due to damage to the reproducer. That was in the late 50's.. I obtained one now which has rather clear sound, but the over all effect is somewhat shrill and a slight buzz in places. Still way better than the one from years ago. It seems that it must have had a better depth and overall range than what I am hearing. I know I am not going to be taking the reproducer apart. I wonder if adding any light oil to the pivot points where I assume there are ball bearings like the victor model used would be advisable? Also the Brunswick apparently did not use a rubber seal on the arm. That portion seems rather stiff. I am also curious if perhaps they might have used a light grease to seal that fitting? Same for the connection where it pivots back to change the needle. So far I have not taken anything apart but also am guessing some sort of seal may be under the tone arm rear pivot.. From what I read discussed previously here I believe I saw where the victors used a light grease to keep the sound in an increase the bass which seems lacking. I don't want to do some sort of damage so I am hoping there are some portable collectors here who may have some insight into how to get the most sound from the machine?

Larry

[Edisone]

My Brunswick 109, if we are discussing that, carries a Martin Nystrom-designed soundbox. The only adjustments I found necessary consisted of adding a bit of penetrating oil to the bearings AND flattening the backplate by removing it & sanding on a piece of Garnet paper stuck to glass. The warpage had been enough to cause air leaks & weak bass notes. I did seal the repro to the arm just a bit, with heavy grease.

ps - This particular model is the very best portable I have ever used, with any type of 78.

[larryh]

I think I made a bit of improvement in the sound already.. I was looking at the reproducer and seeing if I could add a bit of oil with a tiny brush.. I found that the area around the stylus bar an the ball bearings had a fair build up of fuzzy material, I guess from age. I removed it with a tooth pick and was surprised to see the ball bearings showing on each side.. I put a little oil on them and then played it.. The sound lost a bit of the distant sound it had. Tomorrow I will also add some grease to the fitting on the reproducer. I noticed that the set screw had a tendency to not want to hold it tightly in position and picking it up could cause the reproducer to move on the arm.. I applied a bit more pressure to the screw and so far its holding steady..

I have my reproducer to the Orthophonic Victor Portable at Pete Walls repair service. Somehow I thing the wider rear horn opening on the Orthophonic produces a bit more solid sound that this Brunswick. Not sure of the Number on it, I don't see one.. It the typical offset turn table with brown crinkle finish and greenish toned outer material. I would have to say that so far neither of them has come up to the sound of the Telefunken Portable I have. I would possibly agree that the mica diaphragm has a more solid and mellow tone. Hopefully I can up the bass a bit by sealing the arm and connection.

Larry

[marcapra]

Hey, I bought one of those Brunswick Panatrope portables about ten years ago. something was wrong with it, so I started to work on it, then I put it away to work on other acquisitions. It's been sitting on top of my laundry room shelf for a decade now. Makes me want to get it down and fix it finally. Marc.

[FloridaClay]

Larry,

Peter Wall serviced the reproducer on my Brunswick 104 and it sounds really good.

Clay

[larryh]

Clay,

That is pretty interesting. When he called me to discuss the repairs to the victor he mentioned he didn't like the brunswicks.. I didn't say anything but assumed he wouldn't be inclined to work on them.. Actually I don't know if the reproducer is actually producing poor sound or the trouble is in the design or those fitting points. The sound is sort of hard and the metal horn probably doesn't help the matter. I played a few things on it this morning with a soft tone needle and it was still very loud but the overall effect wasn't too bad.. I am a bit hesitant to send off the reproducer as long as its playing pretty close to clear. Its the horn system that may be at fault in what I am hearing.. The victor had a noticeably bigger tone than the brunswick. Its sort of a difficult thing to describe, its just a thinner loud sound I am guessing.

Larry

[FloridaClay]

Some of the Brunswicks do have horn limitations. My little 104 basically just funnels the sound through a open trough that runs along the side. Pretty primitive. Still and all it isn't too bad.

Clay

[Joe_DS]

The Brunswick Panatrope portable should certainly be able to stand up well in comparison with the other deluxe (and expensive) models of the period -- the VV-2-55, the larger Columbia Viva-Tonal portables, etc. There are quite a number of YouTube videos which you can find by searching the site for Panatrope Portable which should give you some idea of its potential sound quality.

I'd say that a careful overhauling of the sound box would probably cure the buzzing issue, and would expand the range. As some point, though, you might want to open up the case to make sure there are no seam gaps or other issues with the horn.

Joe

[larryh]

After some farther playing today its clearer than it was at first. The oil and removing the fuzz did help the clarity. But on electrical recordings loud portions of vocals or music can cause a blurry sound. I am not sure if having someone take it apart is wise or not? It does have a fuller sound and I have not yet done anything with the joints to the arm. I suspect it will help it some. I think if one could get that bit of fuzz off of some part of the music the experience would be pretty good. I noted one thing, it plays the acoustic records with more tone now than before I did anything to it.. Acoustic recordings are not really idea on this type machine, but it gives me away to hear them short of having another large machine. The Telefunken has wonderful sound with a lousy motor as far as length of run time. Even this Brunswick struggles to get to the very end of a long 12" without winding it to the absolute maximum. That was one advantage to getting repairs to the Victor machine, it will play easily a 12" record. The sound on it was passable but no where near perfect so having it worked on was a nothing to loose proposition. I hope to get it opened up today to inspect the horn as suggested as well as service the motor with a bit of oil and grease where needed.

Larry

[James]

I recently picked up a Brunswick Panatrope portable. Partly because it was the very first type of portable I ever owned. It had poor sound due to damage to the reproducer. That was in the late 50's.. I obtained one now which has rather clear sound, but the over all effect is somewhat shrill and a slight buzz in places. Still way better than the one from years ago. It seems that it must have had a better depth and overall range than what I am hearing. I know I am not going to be taking the reproducer apart. I wonder if adding any light oil to the pivot points where I assume there are ball bearings like the victor model used would be advisable? Also the Brunswick apparently did not use a rubber seal on the arm. That portion seems rather stiff. I am also curious if perhaps they might have used a light grease to seal that fitting? Same for the connection where it pivots back to change the needle. So far I have not taken anything apart but also am guessing some sort of seal may be under the tone arm rear pivot.. From what I read discussed previously here I believe I saw where the victors used a light grease to keep the sound in an increase the bass which seems lacking. I don't want to do some sort of damage so I am hoping there are some portable collectors here who may have some insight into how to get the most sound from the machine?

Hi,
I have a Brunswick portable, it is rated by many that is better than the top of the line of Victor portables. If it is well sealed between the horn and the base of the tone arm up to all the joint of the reproducer, that all it need. If still the is an issue, it is the reproducer itself is the problem.








Larry