Victor M Questions

[gemering]

Thought you might like to see a photo or two of my rear mount Victor Monarch.
Your front mount machine is a beauty!
Congratulations on a great first purchase.
-Gene

[Bill04]

That's a very nice phonograph Gene! Thanks for posting those photos. It's interesting to see the different variations. That's also a really sharp radio in the background. Is it an RCA 128?

[Lucius1958]

However, I think the reproducer needs some work. When I play a record, the sound comes and goes and is quite distorted at times. I'm wondering if there is a part missing since there is nothing to hold the part the needle inserts into to the membrane that vibrates (see photo). Could anyone recommend a place that I could send it? I saw on victor-victrola.com that George Vollema of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph is near me (I'm in Grand Rapids, MI); so perhaps I'll try him.


.

The end of the needle bar, with its screw, are definitely missing here. Your best bet is to find an intact needle bar (original or repro), and replace the whole unit. I'm sure George can point you in the right direction, if he doesn't have a replacement himself.

Bill

[WDC]

Here's what mine looks like. The button, that was glued with shellac was also slightly detached from the mica diaphragm, which caused also some unpleasant distortion. I put it back with very tiny drop of glue that I placed underneath. That little button piece is missing on yours.

Repairing a Victor Concert reproducer isn't quite easy. The body parts are pressed together and have to be hammered open by someone who really knows what to do. George Vollema should be one of the best possible choices. The needle bar itself is only loaded with two thing wire springs placed within the reproducer approx. behind the needle screw. These do also break off easily. But whatever the problems are, your reprocuer can be repaired and is certainly worth to be. Congrats on your nice machine!

[gramophone78]

I would just like to add....the needle bar's are no longer available or (as far as I know) made any longer. Yours is not too bad. All you need to do is center the bar and pin and seal it with bee's wax. You may need to place a paper washer in the center first. However, based on your pics......I don't think so.
An easy fix.

Good luck

[Retrograde]

Bill04, Does the machine have a plate on the horn support side of the case that says "Remove this plate to attach rigid arm"?

Yes, it does. I was wondering about the purpose for that. I included a photo of it in the message I just posted.

During the transition period when the rear mounted rigid tone arm was offered, a buyer could have either configuration, front mount or rear mount. The tapered tone arm machine in gemering's pictures is what followed rigid tone arm.