Brunswick Acoustic Panatrope "Cortez"

[marcapra]

Since a lot of Cortez owners are looking at this thread, I was wondering if any of you have had any trouble with the lid springs on yours? Mine were too weak to hold the lid up, so I replaced them with new springs, which I had to strengthen by shortening the springs. Now they too can't hold up the lid. I've already tried tightening the spring adjustment all the way.

[FellowCollector]

I've had no problem at all with my Cortez lid springs. Everything has been great on it from day one of owning it. Mine is a spring driven model and the motor and turntable when running are nearly silent at almost 90 years old. These machines had beautifully designed spring motors. I also own two spring driven Victor Credenza models (one 2 door walnut and one 4 door mahogany - neither of which is silent when running) and I almost always reach for the Cortez when I want to play an early electric 78. The Credenzas produce (reproduce) lovely sound but they lack the brilliance that the Cortez provides IMO. Also, the design and quality of the Brunswick reproducer on the Cortez model was simply outstanding.

Doug

[JerryVan]

Nope. Never had lid spring troubles.

I'm also impressed at the total silence of the Brunswick motor, either when running or when being wound. The brake is also silent. I believe it acts against the governor and not the turntable, therefore "hiding" any braking sounds within the cabinet.

I find the sound to be full & bright but lacking in the bass notes, where Orthophonics excel.

[EarlH]

Since a lot of Cortez owners are looking at this thread, I was wondering if any of you have had any trouble with the lid springs on yours? Mine were too weak to hold the lid up, so I replaced them with new springs, which I had to strengthen by shortening the springs. Now they too can't hold up the lid. I've already tried tightening the spring adjustment all the way.

I'm kind of dense and couldn't figure out how to send you a private message, but if you send me a picture of your lid props I might be able to help you with another set of springs if you want to try them. I have a set of lid props that I need, but I don't need the springs and they may work for you. With my Panatrope I changed the position of the pin to hold the lid open further and that seemed to make mine want to stay up better. I think the springs get fatigued since they are stretched out when the lid is down.

[marcapra]

Earl I sent you a PM. Hint: to send or read a PM you must be logged in. I am interested in your springs. Thanks, Marc.

[RAK402]

The medallion on mine looks just like the one in the photograph posted by JerryVan.

I think my serial number is 147551, but will have to check.


marcapra,

Sorry that you are still experiencing difficulties with the lid springs sir. I never shot the video of mine with the O.S.H. spring as it has been relegated to the garage (which is not neat, right now).

I listen to the Cortez almost every day, by the way. Next to the repro Blue Comet set my wife bought me 23 years ago and my 1940 Ford Sedan, it is my most prized possession.

[marcapra]

Yes, that Cortez is a powerhouse of the phonograph! Is yours handcrank? Mine has an AC/DC motor. I'm a car guy too. Working on my 48 DeSoto 3-window coupe. Love those 40 Fords! Great styling that year and the flathead V-8 is a mechanical work of art! I found out decades later, that my family had a flat head V-8 once. My mom bought a 53 Mercury wagon, the last year for the flathead, and drove it until 1961.

[JerryVan]

Brunswick lid springs & hinges on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Brunswi ... 418e6bef71

[RAK402]

marcapra,

Mine is the crank version.

The motor is, as others have mentioned, completely silent.

The DeSoto Coupe sounds fantastic-those are beautiful automobiles!

Regarding the two different badges, I wonder if that could be due to where the machines were built? As I recall, James' machine was made in Canada.

[RAK402]

I just realized that I had neglected to complete the simple task that James has asked on the first post in this thread.

I confirmed the serial number on mine as 147551 on the Medallion.

The number stamped into the wooden cabinet behind the grill is 2560. To the right of that number is 147551 (same as on the medallion).

This was my first look at the magnificent horn behind the grill cloth.
(this was also my first day out in several, as I appear to have contracted a cold or the flu).

I took the opportunity to sit in the sun, near the open garage door, and listen to Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw on the Cortez!