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Hi, I have a victrola vvx from the 1910's that only plays acoustic recordings . Is it possible for me to modify it , by changing the tonearm and sounbox to play the eletrical recordings from the 1940's?

You don't have to modify the tone arm to play electrically cut records. The machine will lose value and the other arm probably won't fit anyway. I suggest you get a good rebuilt No. 4 Victrola reproducer. If one is not available, get an aftermarket reproducer with an aluminum diaphragm. I might have one for sale. PM me if you need one.
Harvey Kravitz

The Toman Company made a series of reproducers that could play electrically recorded discs on machines originally fitted with an acoustic reproducer. You simply twist off the existing reproducer from the tonearm and replace it with the Toman. I have a Toman which fits my vv-50.
This topic shows a couple of pictures.
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=11707

However, I would strongly recommend against playing any 1940s records on any Victrola, however modified. The heavy tonarm/reproducer and steel needles will chew up the soft surface immediately. Best stick to records which were pressed in the early 1930s and before.

Torjazzer wrote: However, I would strongly recommend against playing any 1940s records on any Victrola, however modified. The heavy tonarm/reproducer and steel needles will chew up the soft surface immediately. Best stick to records which were pressed in the early 1930s and before.

This matter has been discussed ad nauseam on the board. I play "shellac" 78s from all eras (major exception: the late vinyl 78s, which should never be played with steel needles in acoustic sound boxes). I've played my records many times on my VV-XI with soft-tone steel needles in Exhibition sound box, and the combination has not, repeat, not "chew[ed] up the soft surface immediately." In fact, it hasn't chewed up the surfaces at all, as far as I can tell. I am talking about Columbia red labels (e.g., Harry James) and blue labels (laminates), RCA Victor black labels (e.g., Tommy Dorsey) and red/maroon labels (classical), plus a wide assortment of brands, labels, and eras. If your acoustic sound box (pardon my redundancy) is in prime condition (soft, pliable gaskets front and rear, properly adjusted needle bar, and good diaphragm), and you use a fresh soft-tone needle for each record side played, in my opinion you will have no problems. But those conditions must be met!

"This matter has been discussed ad nauseam on the board."

But clearly it's a new topic to the poster (VV-IV) and it's nice to see all the helpful people who have graciously tried to answer the question.

Henry wrote:I play "shellac" 78s from all eras (major exception: the late vinyl 78s, which should never be played with steel needles in acoustic sound boxes). I've played my records many times on my VV-XI with soft-tone steel needles in Exhibition sound box, and the combination has not, repeat, not "chew[ed] up the soft surface immediately.

I agree wholeheartedly! I have had my HMV model 12 for about twelve years, it's also fitted with an Exhibition soundbox, which has been overhauled and new gaskets fitted. I use it every day and play everything from early Caruso through the thirties and forties, to Elvis, and have noticed no deterioration whatsoever in the surface of the records. I emphasize that I am very strict with regards to using only soft tone needles, and only one side per needle.

Phono48 wrote:

Henry wrote:I play "shellac" 78s from all eras (major exception: the late vinyl 78s, which should never be played with steel needles in acoustic sound boxes). I've played my records many times on my VV-XI with soft-tone steel needles in Exhibition sound box, and the combination has not, repeat, not "chew[ed] up the soft surface immediately.

I agree wholeheartedly! I have had my HMV model 12 for about twelve years, it's also fitted with an Exhibition soundbox, which has been overhauled and new gaskets fitted. I use it every day and play everything from early Caruso through the thirties and forties, to Elvis, and have noticed no deterioration whatsoever in the surface of the records. I emphasize that I am very strict with regards to using only soft tone needles, and only one side per needle.

An Exhibition soundbox is pretty light, eh? Not the same as a Victor Ortho or Columbia Viva-Tonal or what have you.

I'm coming around to the viewpoint that some of the lighter soundboxes, properly restored, will be kind to later (non vinyl) 78's.

Several years ago, I was experimenting and found a plastic reproducer with an aluminum diaphragm. I believe the reproducer was made by Recotone, used on kiddie phonographs from the 1950's It was very loud and light weight. I used it on my Victor V and played some of my rock & roll 78s. I also used a Merrytone chromium needle. The result was a loud, clear playing with no damage to the record. I would not do this everyday, however. I thought it was neat playing Elvis on an open horn phonograph.
Harvey Kravitz

Nat wrote:"This matter has been discussed ad nauseam on the board."

But clearly it's a new topic to the poster (VV-IV) and it's nice to see all the helpful people who have graciously tried to answer the question.

I would point out that I *did* respond to the question, describing my own experience with the queried subject. I did not intend to be rude, or ungracious, when I wrote that sentence; my apologies if I have offended. A further helpful response would have been a mention of the search feature of the board. I'm sure that the OP would find lots of ideas, pro and con, on this topic among the "buried treasures" contained therein.