The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I listed an Exhibition reproducer on eBay for a friend of mine who is thinning down his collection and asked me to help. He wasn't sure what machine it would have gone with and I haven't been able to find one like it. It has an interesting design that doesn't use a rubber isolator or back flange. Instead, it has a one-piece body with a bezel on the front to secure the gaskets and diaphragm. Also, the needle chuck portion is shifted 45 degrees offsetting the thumbscrew. Here are some pictures.
Does anyone have any information regarding a time frame when this would have been sold, or what machine/machines it would have been sold with? I looked through my books and searched online but didn't find any like it. Thanks in advance for any help!

Looks like the reproducer that is most likely found with a Vic O. Jerry Blais

I'm not sure the needle chuck should be shifted 45 degrees. Can it be turned? Jerry

Were these not also used on the first Victrola IV's ??.

gramophone78 wrote:Were these not also used on the first Victrola IV's ??.

Yes, they were.

Sean

Vic O, Vic IV and Vic VI between say, 1911 and 1913 or perhaps 1914.

Some 1912 vintage Victor I and Victor II machines have turned up fitted with these "Exhibition Junior" reproducers. It is not known whether the Victor II machines were originally shopped with the Junior reproducer, or whether the were substituted by a dealer who may have fitted the better "Exibition" units to the more popular Victrolas.

Were there two types of "Exhibition Junior" sound boxes? I have an Exhibition Junior long throat on my Vic R. Jerry

Thanks very much for the information everyone. Much appreciated. I recall reading that the earliest Victrola IV's had metal grill slats. I wonder if this reproducer would have been switched to the common Exhibition when the metal slats design was changed.

SonnyPhono wrote:Thanks very much for the information everyone. Much appreciated. I recall reading that the earliest Victrola IV's had metal grill slats. I wonder if this reproducer would have been switched to the common Exhibition when the metal slats design was changed.

That's certainly possible, the one I had years back was on a metal grilled IV that I brought straight out of the original owners house back in the mid 1980s.

Sean

I had years back was on a metal grilled IV

I would love to find an early IV with the stamped metal grill.