The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This thread will discuss the poor tracking of the Victrola No.2 sound-box and explain how to improve it by making a custom flange gasket:

-For a lateral reproducer to perform at its best the diaphragm must be parallel to the groove's tangent plane where the needle touches. If a reproducer is not parallel then part of the groove's lateral movement will be transferd against the needlebar piviot causing pressure, record wear, and lost performance. On a normal tone arm the Victrola No.2 is 12 degrees off from being parallel. This angle changes as the arm swings over the record, but that change is miniscule. To correct this the reproducer must be turned 12 degrees to line up with the tangent plane, which can easily be done with a custom flange gasket.

A flange gasket that is angled at 12 degrees will shift the reproducer enough to align parallel with the tangent plane while at the same time maintain clearence to fold back when not in use. Note that the needle is still 60 degrees in relation to the record, the gasket only rotates the reproducer's angle.

I made my flange gasket by first chipping the old rubber off an original brass flange. I then made a paper mold that allowed for the 12 degree angle, which I built around the brass ring (see picture). Following this I filled the mold with dark grey silicone, and let it cure for 24 hours. After it cured I installed it, confirmed everything fit properly, and finished the reproducer.

The new flange gasket allows the Victrola No.2 to track properly. I have noticed a reduction in record wear and a slight improvement in sound since installing this flange gasket.

Reference the pictures and text below for additional info:

-Additional pictures:

-For easy comparison:

-End of original post-

WARNING: This gasket is patent pending. It's ok to make this gasket for your own personal use, however it is not ok to produce this gasket for sale or distribution without proper permission.

Mike

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Very clever!

Clay

Great way of doing this! Victor had a recall in the Orthophonic era which addressed this very same topic. Their solution was to provide crooks bent to a different angle or to have the motor board and motor sent back and re-drilled to place the sound box at a more favorable angle. Obviously these were the electric types of motors.

Is there any noticeable change in tone quality with the revised geometry ?

I have noticed improved tone, especially on my loud military march records and opera records. The sound is more rich and crisp, but that's just an ear's judgement-I don't have fancy equipment to measure the exact difference in tone.

I did notice that I can now play some of my badely worn records which originally slowed the single spring VV-50 motor due to groove friction. The new angle reduces friction on the groove wall allowing the worn record to play properly.

Now if one could do something like that on an Exhibition….

Bill

Wonderful! Thanks for this Player-Tone!

I can make one of those for my Silvertone portable! Duct tape just isn't good on a hot sunny day.