Crapohone? Innovative project? Frankenphone?

[alang]

Since I generally find console models more visually pleasing than uprights and because a BC-34 was my first phonograph I can only say: poor Baby

In general I don't have a problem with someone creating a Frankenphone from parts, but I disagree with butchering a good original machine just because it's not as highly valued by collectors today. Remember how many have complained about the collectors of 40 years ago who butchered and discarded the rarest cabinet machines, just because only outside horn were valued back then. A good original is always worth preserving for future generations, and the minimum I can do to preserve is not to it destroy myself.
JMHO
Andreas

[Phototone]

I think this is OK. It is not an attempt to "fool" anyone, and make a machine that could be mistaken for a vintage machine by uninformed collectors. It does have a complete Edison mechanism inside. I wonder how many, if any wealthy music-lovers had players put in custom cabinets back in the 1920's?

[Valecnik]

if the cabinet's solid and to your liking visually, and considering the number of discs involved (if they're all diamond discs and in decent shape), I think that could totally be worthwhile to someone who's just looking to play the discs on an original set-up without necessarily having to have an entire original machine... I've considered doing this in the past, both with an edison mechanism and a victor orthophonic set-up, but the time required for the conversion and cabinet was too much of a deterrent... plus, if he's motivated, that likely means the final price will be a bit lower.

I think this could sound pretty good too, with a 250 horn even better. Of all the DD phonos I've heard side by side, (excluding edisonics) the William and Mary sounds the best, I think because of that large open area behind the horn and the larger area of the grill opening. I don't think any DD machine had a grill area greater than the upright William & Mary.

[ColoradoPhonograf]

At least they aren't trying to pass it off as "THE RAREST VICTROLA EVER PRODUCED - GLASS CABINET!!!!!" or something.


My thoughts exactly. If the original case was beyond repair, this seems a very sensible and well-done way to play some DD's.

And as was pointed out above, a lot of us have monkeyed - or thought of doing so - with our machines. I've got a few experiments in mind that I'd love to try out, and which would definitely not be "original" to any machines. In doing something like that, we're only doing what acoustic engineers were doing all along: tinkering, trying for something better. A line has to be drawn between creative tinkering, and passing something off as realm - which this isn't.

It would be interesting to hear what alterations and tinkerings members have carried out on otherwise "authentic" machines. I've messed with installing a shaped cork at the right angle of the crook on my Victrolas, to provide a better passage for sound waves/pressure, and to my ears, it sounds a bit better.

Nat

I thought this might be interesting to add to this topic. I have a small machine shop and a creative mind. I took a basic Victor Exhibition reproducer and as I was installing new gaskets I was amazed at the shear weight of the black painted brass backing plate. For fun I machined a replacement piece made of black "Delrin" nylon. It is a very dense and durable impact resistant type of material to use. Without any alterations to the reproducer itself, just a simple replacement which is easily reversible. I believe the sound is just as good (but then again I don't have the best "Ear" for tone or ranges). I like the simple fact that the entire weight of the reproducer was 55% lighter than a stock Exhibition. I use it on a Victor IV that I just don't want a lot of shear weight grinding away some of my favorite records. That is one of my innovations and experiments.
ColoradoPhonograf

[brianu]

did you make multiples? I can think of a few people, self included, who'd definitely be interested for playing purposes if you've got some to sell.

[gregbogantz]

You have to make sure that you don't get the tracking force too light. Doing so will cause mistracking which is when the needle tip loses contact with the groove walls. When the needle loses contact it will bang around in the groove, slamming from one wall to the other and gouging the walls as it bangs around. It's a common misconception that "ligher tracking force is always better", and many users of modern pickups suffer from the same delusion. You need to use sufficient tracking force to prohibit mistracking or you will ruin your records. Acoustic reproducers have VERY LOW compliance (the vibratory system is very stiff) and they are massive, both of which characteristics require fairly high tracking forces to avoid mistracking. If you hear buzzing and distortion with your lowered tracking force, it is too low. This problem is made even worse when you use "loud tone", stiff needles.