The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonogfp wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:Where can I purchase the bearing? I don’t see any on eBay.

Believe it or not, eBay is not the best source for antique phonograph parts. There's a "Links" section to this forum, under which you will find a tab titled, "Repairs, Parts, Dealers, Sales & Auctions." There, you'll find a number of qualified people who can help you...unlike many of the sellers on eBay.

As VanEpsFan has suggested, Ron Sitko is an outstanding supplier of new parts (at prices considerably lower than many eBay listings). He is closed until Wednesday Jan. 2nd, but it will be worth the wait.

Ron Sitko
56 Church Hill Road.
Waterford NY 12188
Telephone (518) 371-8549 (NOTE: Closed until Jan. 2, 2019)
Hours: 7PM-10PM EST

George P.

How do I buy from him? Do I tell him my name and address and what I want? I’m not sure how to do transactions outside of eBay.

martinola wrote:George Vollema can probably help you out:

http://www.victroladoctor.com/

Nice machine, Andy. Can you post a picture of your patent plate?

Regards,
Martin

George Vollema is closed until April 2019.

George P.

AmberolaAndy wrote: How do I buy from him? Do I tell him my name and address and what I want? I’m not sure how to do transactions outside of eBay.

Well, you punch in his phone number during the hours listed, and Ron will answer. Just tell him you need a bearing for an Edison Standard E, and he will immediately know what you're talking about. He will ask your the address where to send it and tell you the price. Do you know someone with a checkbook? If so, you're all set.

George P.

phonogfp wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote: How do I buy from him? Do I tell him my name and address and what I want? I’m not sure how to do transactions outside of eBay.

Well, you punch in his phone number during the hours listed, and Ron will answer. Just tell him you need a bearing for an Edison Standard E, and he will immediately know what you're talking about. He will ask your the address where to send it and tell you the price. Do you know someone with a checkbook? If so, you're all set.

George P.

I guess I’ll have my dad help me with that. (If he wants to cooperate that is...) I admit I get nervous talking on the phone with new people. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try...

I also found this site that might have my part. Has anyone bought bearings from them?

https://www.phonographs.org/store/p-162 ... qa4ut8hgi2

Wouldn't recommend roller bearings. Unnecessary.


I hope you have access to an antique English textbook. They usually tell how to write a business letter for placing an order or sending payment. Without reprinting an entire antique book here on the Forum and murdering this thread even worse, it helps to include the date and a list with prices of what you ordered actually.


Part of my sixth-grade English lessons included learning these skills from an old textbook. (I also know how to send telegrams.) While we can't learn etiquette from the operator these days trying to place a phone order, we can make sure we are on our best. Ron Sitko's great to talk with--but make sure there is something to write with close by! He is very precise.

When your stuff arrives (usually well ahead of schedule) then write a check, wrap up some cash, or send a money order at the post office. Use a good business hand such as the Palmer Method of Business Writing, or, failing a good fountain pen and blue-black ink, use a nice typewriter instead.

All will be well!

As with many here on the Forum, I've bought parts from Ron Sitko for more than 30 years.

It's worth mentioning that not only is Ron friendly and knowledgeable about phonographs and parts and patient with responding to phonograph repair questions but he is likely the ONLY person left on the planet who is willing to package and ship your parts BEFORE receiving payment. That is trust. After you receive the parts with his invoice inside, you send him a check (I'm confident that he'd also accept a US Postal money order since he goes to the Post Office almost every day to ship parts).

I asked Ron years ago (considering the thousands of parts he's packaged and shipped) whether anyone had ever not sent payment and he said "Just one time. I think the guy just got busy and forgot. Most people that I deal with are pretty honest."

Doug

Well. You guys have convinced me on Mr. Sitko! Now I just need to convince my dad...btw will he also have a tonearm bracket for a VV-2-60?

AmberolaAndy wrote:I also found this site that might have my part. Has anyone bought bearings from them?
https://www.phonographs.org/store/p-162 ... qa4ut8hgi2

I have bought items from them before, with no problems. As far as the needle bearings go, I have not seen them before, but I think $14.50 for the pair is reasonable and they sound like a good solution.

AmberolaAndy wrote:Well. You guys have convinced me on Mr. Sitko! Now I just need to convince my dad...btw will he also have a tonearm bracket for a VV-2-60?

Yes. He will have it. Great guy to do business with.