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Yesterday I bought my first non edison acoustic machine, a columbia vivatonal in rough shape. I am wondering what's the best way to seal up these horns do they just pop out of the machine? And I think I remember hearing that you can moisturizes the horn for better sound with lemon oil, is it true? This machine was chopped up and is really small I bought it as a machine to practice refinishing on and since it's value is small I would like to get the best sound possible out of it.

Thanks,
-Tom

Hi Tom:

It would probably help if you could post some photos. Also, do you know the model number? If a 600 series, it would have the non-folded type horn, similar to that used in the Victrola Consolette. If I remember right, unlike the horns used in most Orthophonic Victrolas, Columbia coated theirs with lacquer (shellac?), so lemon oil should be okay to use. (I wouldn't recommend applying lemon oil to bare, unfinished wood.)

If you can inspect all of the joints to make sure that there are no seam gaps, etc., and can get at them to re-seal them if necessary, there should be no need to remove the horn. In the past, I've used a variety of sealants such as epoxy (glue gun), silicone caulk; even white glue. I'm sure others here have better solutions.



Joe

I still owe you good pics & measurements of the grille!

This should be the design of our horns - divided, but "straight". Seems to be sealed with roofing tar, or similar black hardened goo. Mine seems really dry, too - if I ever haul it into the house, I plan to mix boiled linseed oil & reduced-stink turpentine & paint a few coats on. I've used that on a Credenza & some of my 107 yr old windowsills, and it works nicely.

Thanks, I still, need to get started on that project My grandpa is pretty good at woodwork and he is going to help with the grill, lid needs veneer replaced and I will ad some sort of legs to make it look nice since it was chopped. It should sound and look half decent when it's done and at least now it's safe from being painted shabby chic
-Tom