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A complete set!

Some interesting finds inside: some early "brown wax" Victors.

Another interesting find in one of the boxes: research has identified this as belonging to the earliest jazz recording session in Canada. Recorded in Montreal, September 1920

Andersun wrote:Those are the stories that make collecting so much fun!! Nice find!

Steve

It's quite a ride, isn't it?

She aint pretty... yet.

I think she's right purty just like she is! She gots character!

(OK, maybe change the turntable felt)

AllWoundUp wrote:I think she's right purty just like she is! She gots character!

(OK, maybe change the turntable felt)

No, really. These pictures do this machine a LOT of justice. I might have to wait until the Spring to do some gentle cabinet scrubbing.

The records would suggest that the machine came from Canada. Is that true? There have been plenty of discussions about GoJo versus Kotton Klenser. I think they work equally well but GoJo seems to smell better, or maybe it's less smelly, to DeeDee. If you use GoJo, you might not have to wait until Spring to clean it up. Also, you might want to save the 12" felt to use on a smaller turntable project in the future. Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:The records would suggest that the machine came from Canada. Is that true? There have been plenty of discussions about GoJo versus Kotton Klenser. I think they work equally well but GoJo seems to smell better, or maybe it's less smelly, to DeeDee. If you use GoJo, you might not have to wait until Spring to clean it up. Also, you might want to save the 12" felt to use on a smaller turntable project in the future. Jerry Blais

Hi Jerry. I think the GoJo without pumice is the way to go but I wasn't sure about the mess I'd create. The machine is a Camden unit, according to the Id. plate. I found it about 110 miles from my home here in Southern Ontario. The brown wax records are unique to Canada, though. Victor only pressed black discs in US at that time.
The reproducer seems to be in good shape. Mica is in one piece and still attached, although the surrounding, white gasket is shot. I've tried looking online for a replacement. Any ideas about a good place?
Thanks for the advice on getting the job done. Maybe one day soon I will give it a good rub down to see what lies beneath.

Assuming it's an Exhibition, I got really nice pliable front gaskets from Victrola Repair Service (http://www.victrolarepairservice.com/index.html) when they rebuilt mine; perhaps they would sell you some separately. Other sources are George Vollema (http://www.victroladoctor.com/), and Wyatt's (http://www.wyattsmusical.com/repro.pdf). For the back gasket, I would give this source a try: http://www.rmrmfg.com/phono.html. If you want to try a rebuild yourself, this page will be helpful: http://www.nipperhead.com/old/rep_exhib.htm.

Congratulations on your acquisition! Let us know how things turn out.