The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Since I have a number of semi-complete machines, I would like to offer that our hobby involves the exercise of patience and hope. As an example, I kept a Pathé diffuser for three years without the diffusor, as it is one with a difficult-to-find connection to the plinth. I eventually found it from a derelict machine, replaced it and happily kept until the new cat that my wife brought home, a wild animal that certainly hates music, threw the thing on the floor ripping the fragile paper cone. So now the gramophone is back into storage for who knows how long until I find another cone. I have thought about replacing the cone, but the original is made of a Japanese paper that so far I could not find any adequate replacement for, including the color. In your case I would try the established parts dealers in the U.S., a luxury that is practically non-existent in Europe (I only know of one in England).

Here are a few pics, guys.

The top can be re-glued, clamped and then refinished... The hole in the motor board is another story... If you like it, restore it... if not, part it out.

I think this could be a very beautiful example of a high end, off-brand phonograph. Especially with the added light and gold plated hardware. I want to see this machine all fixed up!

This should not be that hard a project. Go for it!

Clay

I agree with Clay, go for it.

The top might be rough, but I think with just some GoJo and a little 0000 steel wool, you would be rather surprised by the results.

The tonearm is the earlier type on this machine, the joint that pivots up and down is very thin pot metal and they tend to break there. The later arms as I said before are much sturdier and you shouldn't have much trouble finding one. George V may even have the missing parts of what you have.

Still, this is a nice enough machine and I'd invest some time into it, I've certainly tackled much worse. This looks like a museum piece as it is compared to the VTLA I picked up this past winter that I've yet to get anywhere near.

Sean

I would go for it!!!! Repair it, a very nice example. I like the gold hardware.
Any problems with the motor, looks like it is a Heineman Motor, they turn up often on ebay.

You did not sink too much into the price for the machine, so it leaves you some room for getting any parts you may need.
Check the forum, post in Yankee Trader, our members may have parts. ALso, check ebay and of course check with George Vollema.

The motors in these are Swiss (Thorens? Paillard? Can't remember which), not Heinmann motors. They are excellent motors.

Sean

winsleydale,
Don't scrap it. I have an Aeolian/Vocalion console here, not the same one but it does have the gold hardware, and it, like yours is a very respectable machine. The push button semi automatic brake is a nice feature and easy to use, and like others have said the motor is smooth and quiet.
Mike

Well, I think I will give it a go. Of course, it will be a long, slow process... I need to work and save for my college classes, and so I will likely be only getting a few things done here and there for a while. But, the show must go on! Thank you all for instilling some measure of confidence in me.