The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I thought that I should lubricate my Cortez. I have only had it for a few months, but have no idea when the last time it was serviced. I have been playing it constantly (probably 700-800 sides-I am going through needles at an alarming rate).

On the Seville, the turntable lifts off, but I cannot get the turntable off of the Cortez and do not want to damage it in any way (I assume that one has to lift the turntable off to get at the mechanism).

I also noticed that the crank knocks at a certain point in each revolution when winding it (it did not do this originally).

Any advice, guidance would be very much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance!

I own a Cortez also, but mine has a universal motor AC/DC. It sounds like you really like to play your Brunswick Cortez! Great sound, hasn't it! yes you have to remove the turntable to service the motor, but yours sounds like it is rusted in place. Soak the spindle with Liquid Wrench and let it sit for a day or two. It sounds like you motor or governor needs some work. By the way, I now own all three of the major competitors for the acoustic phonograph buyer in the 1926-27 era. I have a Columbia 800, a Brunswick Cortez, and just bought a Victrola Credenza, which has be in storage until I can get delivered to me at the August, 2015 CAPS show in Buena Park, CA. I can't wait to do a sound comparison between all three machines to see which is the winner! Good luck on your Cortez, a rare machine!

Thank you for the rapid reply, sir.

I do play it all the time-it does sound great!

The motor is still silent when running, but I don't want to do any damage to the machine.

Sounds like you have a great collection of the "Big Three!"

I would be very interested in your comparisons!

I have owned a Columbia 830 and at the present time I own a Vic 8-30 and 8-35 (metal Ortho horn). A good friend owns a Cortez which I have heard many times. All of these machines have wonderful sound, while at the same time, each has it's own individual sound. I would be hard pressed to judge which one is best. Let us know what you think when you get them all together and compare them.

Jim

RAK402 wrote:
I also noticed that the crank knocks at a certain point in each revolution when winding it (it did not do this originally).

When you get the motor out, look at the winding gear as you are winding it. Note the spot on the gear that comes in contact with the spring gear when it knocks. Examine the gear closely at that spot to see if some debris is lodged in between the gear teeth or if there is damage to the gear teeth. Damage would require replacing the gear, debris can be cleaned out.

Happy Thanksgiving! Cliff

I have owned a Columbia 830 and at the present time I own a Vic 8-30 and 8-35 (metal Ortho horn).

Wow, you actually own an 830 Columbia Viva Tonal? A very rare model indeed! I have heard of an 820, but never heard of an 830. I'd like to see some pics of that machine! On my Cortez, I have been having trouble with the lid springs. I installed new springs, but they were not strong enough to hold the lid up after awhile. I tightened the bolts down all the way already. That era of the Cortez, Credenza, and Columbia Viva Tonal only lasted a few short years, 1926-1928 before the all electronic machines, radio/phonos, took over.