The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Victor Talking Machine model Vic-V with a wooden horn. The horn has a crack (it has been cracked for probably 75 years). Who is capable of repairing these? Thanks!

Jeremiah,

I'm not sure anywone can do it well without refinishing the horn. If the horn has a nice original finish and decal I would just live with it. Others may disagree though.

Valecnik wrote:Jeremiah,

I'm not sure anywone can do it well without refinishing the horn. If the horn has a nice original finish and decal I would just live with it. Others may disagree though.

Depends on the nature of the crack...if at the base, it could worsen of time, and probably should be finished...and I've seen straight splits, and jagged, splintering cracks...a simple split, I probably wouldn't worry too much about...

oh...and to answer the question..no clue who does that kind of work...there was some in the York, PA area that would come down to the Georgetown flea market many moons ago...haven't spoken to him in years (since they moved the Georgetown flea market out of Georgetown and into VA). I know he did some rather extensive work on an Edison Opera horn...but not clue if I have his constact info, or if he's still doing the work (he occassionally drop off the face of the earth every now and then)

Though I've never needed him, I've heard nothing but good things about Don Gfell's repair work. Here is a link to his repair page on his website:

http://www.edisonman.com/repairs.htm

He makes beautiful reproduction horns. I expect he'll be at the Wayne NJ show on April 19th.

Bob Barnett

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it.

Have a nice day.

Hi
When I was at the Orlando show, Don Gfell told me he does repair wooden horns.
Regards Marcel

Don Gfell does indeed repair wood horns as well as making them. His work (or perhaps his son-in-law as someone had stated in the previous incarnation of the board) is top-notch. I gave him an Opera horn to repair while in Wayne. He has two websites, an old and a new, the newer listed last.

http://homepages.accnorwalk.com/frrock/myweb2/
http://www.edisonman.com/

I'll probably be shipping this to to Don and Bobbi Gfell, unless anyone here has some advice?

Can these decal(s) be saved?

Does anyone have any "pre-" / "post-" pictures of a repair involving similar splits?

Don Gfell is your guy. I've had several horns repaired by him in the past. Couldn't ask for better. Nice friendly service. In fact, he has both an oak and a mahogany spear tip that are done and will be delivered to me at the Union show. Can't wait to get them.

Wes

Don Is the guy, I would not trust horns to nobody else, he knows his stuff!