The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This week I picked up a really nice all original Silvertone Model N, which looks to be one of Sears' top-of-the-line offerings between the summer of 1920 and the spring of 1921. It looks like the motor was flawlessly maintained over the life of the phono, but reproducer gasket is stiff as a board and it looks like the diaphragm has a hairline crack in it.

Does anyone have a recommendation of the size of gasket tubing that should be used in a Silvertone reproducer?

Thanks!

It's been a few years since I've rebuilt a Silvertone reproducer. I used white rubber gaskets like on a Victor Exhibition. I believe the mica is the same as a Victrola No. 2. Silvertone reproducers are very easy to rebuild.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:It's been a few years since I've rebuilt a Silvertone reproducer. I used white rubber gaskets like on a Victor Exhibition. I believe the mica is the same as a Victrola No. 2. Silvertone reproducers are very easy to rebuild.
Harvey Kravitz

I was wondering if the diaphragm for a No 2 would work, as they look to be the same size.

I agree - this one looks very straightforward. I just wanted to be sure I was getting the right parts.

Thanks!

zenith82 wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:It's been a few years since I've rebuilt a Silvertone reproducer. I used white rubber gaskets like on a Victor Exhibition. I believe the mica is the same as a Victrola No. 2. Silvertone reproducers are very easy to rebuild.
Harvey Kravitz

I was wondering if the diaphragm for a No 2 would work, as they look to be the same size.

I agree - this one looks very straightforward. I just wanted to be sure I was getting the right parts.

Thanks!

Yes. A Victrola No. 2 diaphragm and Exhibition rubber gasket material will work well in these Silvertone reproducers. You might take a couple of ¼" long scraps of the gasket tubing and stretch them over the ends of the spring clamps which hold the stylus bar pivots in place. The damping that a bit of rubber installed at this point provides noticeably improves the unit's reproduction. You would be well advised to also replace the rubber isolator which connects the reproducer to the tone arm. A new, ever-soft isolator may profitably be cast of black silicone rubber.

I also have a Silvertone cabinet model B. (circa 1915) Would this work in regards to the tonearm to reproducer gasket? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victor-Victrola ... 5402e451d1 Regards, Johny

Johnny Smoke wrote:I also have a Silvertone cabinet model B. (circa 1915) Would this work in regards to the tonearm to reproducer gasket? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victor-Victrola ... 5402e451d1 Regards, Johny

Those reproduction isolators are not even good for use with Victrola No. 2 reproducers. The rubber is too stiff. A soft rubber connection at this point will improve bass response, smooth out the midrange and tremendously decrease record wear.

Thank you for the reply.
So this gasket will have to be homemade? Or are there better alternatives? Regards, Johnyy

If it has to be homemade, where is the best source for obtaining the rubber stock to do it? My first thought was cutting it from a flexible plumbing connector, but not sure if that will be thick enough.

I've used soft natural rubber tubing. Edison horn tubing works pretty well, but it s a bit too thin. A few turns of old-fashion rubber tape (an electrical tape which may be had at the larger electrical suppl houses) will make up the difference.