Fletcher-Wickes reproducer

[estott]

Removing and carefully replacing the stiff wire springs that hold the needle bar in place was more difficult compared to rebuilding other reproducers. There must have been a specialized tool to assist installing them at the factory.

Odd- I just lifted the free ends that rest on the bar & pivoted the wires out of the way.

[VintageTechnologies]

Removing and carefully replacing the stiff wire springs that hold the needle bar in place was more difficult compared to rebuilding other reproducers. There must have been a specialized tool to assist installing them at the factory.

Odd- I just lifted the free ends that rest on the bar & pivoted the wires out of the way.

The wires on mine were very stiff. I was concerned not to allow the loose needle bar to contact and damage the mica while wrestling the wires back into place. Sometimes I could use a third or fourth hand to hold everything steady!

[Carlo 1963]

As soon as I'll receive this soundbox I'll try it and compare it with other mica-diaphragm reproducers (e.g. VIctor Exhibition or Victrola 2) on some of my talking machines, and i you want I'll let you know the result... I'm quite sure that it won't sound better, but I find such experiment sooo interesting! Probably I'll have to replace the rubber gasket, as always happens after many years, and I'm afraid that it will be more difficult than with usual reproducers, but I'll read attentively the document I posted with the patent and do my best to avoid a disaster. Fortunately it isn't an EMG...!

Carlo