The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Victor Orthophonic.

Larry

I have used Peter a few times in the past. As with most people, some projects took longer and some were faster. I did learn after the first one I sent him to call him before sending him anything. I called him in March about sending a reproducer to him. He stated that he was back logged at least 6 months and to call again in August. He was fine in March-and VERY talkative as usual. Peter does good work, or has for me. He is not very organized and takes a long time to complete his work-that is my experience-your mileage may vary.

I did call Peter before sending him a brass Orthophonic sound box in early October.
He did say he was a little backed up, but would try to have it done for the Christmas holiday.
I had no problem waiting three months and would have lived with waiting six or seven months, if there was communication!
Almost nine months and NO COMMUNICATION does not make for a successful business relationship.

Gene

Any sightings, responses to emails, or other contact with Peter in the past week?

Gene

Like I had said before, my experience was good, I sent him a Victor Orthophonic reproducer, one that was made in Japan for the J 1-80 Orthophonic, so this one was rare as hens teeth. I received it back in great condition, plays like a early AM radio, that was in 2011, (it took me about a couple of months if I remember).

Peter Wall's work is amazing, I would say he was up in the ranks of the best including the late Bob Waltrip, and there are some that still salivate over one of his rebuilt Edisons, they can tend to be highly sought after.

Today, we are in a different age, more than ever we need to have these old reproducers built and very few people harness the knowledge, experience and tools to rebult these delicate and precise Orthophonics. Believe me, I tried to rebuild one myself and it is a tedious job, I gave up and sent out to Peter.

I will say that after Nine months there is cause for concern. Maybe he is experiencing health issues or no longer with us. I hope he is OK and still alive. In any event maybe one of our forum members that lives near the San Francisco area may be able to stop over to his place and check in.

It would also be interesting to know if there are any other professional rebuilders of Orthophonics on our board?

The last I checked, Dwayne Wyatt over at Wyatt's said he don't touch Orthophonics very often, he just said if its not buzzing, just swish some oil and Vaseline in the ball bearings and tighten the caps.

Like I had said before, my experience was good, I sent him a Victor Orthophonic reproducer, one that was made in Japan for the J 1-80 Orthophonic, so this one was rare as hens teeth. I received it back in great condition, plays like a early AM radio, that was in 2011, (it took me about a couple of months if I remember).

Peter Wall's work is amazing, I would say he was up in the ranks of the best including the late Bob Waltrip, and there are some that still salivate over one of his rebuilt Edisons, they can tend to be highly sought after. Like Bob,
it is my understanding that Peter has special tools for working on these reproducers. In fact, if you research he was featured in some of the old hobby magazines (1960's and 1970's).

Today, we are in a different age, more than ever we need to have these old reproducers rebuilt and very few people harness the knowledge, experience and tools to rebult these delicate and precise Orthophonics. Believe me, I tried to rebuild one myself and it is a tedious job, I gave up and sent out to Peter.

I will say that after Nine months there is cause for concern. Maybe he is experiencing health issues or no longer with us. I hope he is OK and still alive. In any event maybe one of our forum members that lives near the San Francisco area may be able to stop over to his place and check in.

It would also be interesting to know if there are any other professional rebuilders of Orthophonics on our board?

The last I checked, Dwayne Wyatt over at Wyatt's said he don't touch Orthophonics very often, he just said if its not buzzing, just swish some oil and Vaseline in the ball bearings and tighten the caps, which seems to be the approach of many of the repair shops. Most shops are very leery about even touching these pot metal reproducers for the fear of breaking them.

Oceangoer1 wrote:I had the same problem. I bought the Orthophonic Reproducer Repair Estimate on Ebay for $2.99 sometime last year (this listing does not exist anymore). And I never got a reply or any instructions after that. I'm still holding out just in case anyone hears from him.

That should have been my first clue when I didn't get anything back from the eBay purchase as well. Could have cut my losses at $2.99 then ...

All this is much out of line with Peter's previous track record. There must be something drastically wrong.

Clay

I checked with another common friend, who told me he spoke with Peter yesterday.

So as of yesterday, he's not dead.

I am glad to hear he is alive.