The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
Can anyone please tell me how these early Berliner reproducers come apart?? ( If they do!). Is there a go to person who rebuilds them?
thanks
Pete

Hi Pete,

I just want to point out that you have a Canadian Automatic sound box pictured. I don't own one of these, but if it's anything like the U.S. Victor Concert (which it resembles), it will be tricky to rebuild. I'm sure someone on the forum will be able to help/direct you.

Good luck!

George P.

Eric Reise's book The Complete Talking Machine explains how to rebuild the Victor Concert reproducer. You will need to disconect the styus bar from the diaphragm and cut the diaphragm out with an exacto knife. Put the reproducer in a vice and with a wooden dowel tap the inside of the reproducer where the diaphragm was. This will drive out the back of the reproducer separating it into two halfs so you can change the diaphragm and the gaskets. The book shows pictures of the procedure and does a better job of explaining it than I do.

Hello,
Can anyone please tell me how these early Berliner reproducers come apart?? ( If they do!). Is there a go to person who rebuilds them?
thanks
Pete

Pete,

They actually come apart quite easily!
First unscrew the longthroat from the back of the reproducer,
Then carefully pry the three pronged circular spring up in the center of the back of the reproducer
(This spring has three points which hold the back on)
Once the spring is out the back pops right off!
Now you can get inside at everything to do your rebuild.

Hope this helps, Bob S.

Bob,
So the Berliner automatic sound box is different than the Victor Concert?

Bob,
So the Berliner automatic sound box is different than the Victor Concert?
Nick Hoffmann

Yes Nick,

I couldn't find a good photo, but if you look at this pic, you can see the spring clip on the back of the reproducer.

Bob S.

I rebuilt a US Victor Concert several years ago and it was a little tricky... The one thing I was told by an experienced reproducer repairman was to mark the halves before dis-assembly in an inconspicuous place, so that when you re-assemble the two pieces and line them up, the needle angle remains correct...

Once you get it apart you need to be very careful with the needle bar and mounting spring. The spring is soldered to the needle bar and if the spring is not broken you don't want to break it. The springs are available but the last time I checked the needle bars are no long available.

Best Regards, Larry

Zwebie wrote:

Bob,
So the Berliner automatic sound box is different than the Victor Concert?
Nick Hoffmann

Yes Nick,

I couldn't find a good photo, but if you look at this pic, you can see the spring clip on the back of the reproducer.

Bob S.

Thanks. I always thought that the concert and automatic reproducers were Identical.

Zwebie wrote:

Hello,
Can anyone please tell me how these early Berliner reproducers come apart?? ( If they do!). Is there a go to person who rebuilds them?
thanks
Pete

Pete,

They actually come apart quite easily!
First unscrew the longthroat from the back of the reproducer,
Then carefully pry the three pronged circular spring up in the center of the back of the reproducer
(This spring has three points which hold the back on)
Once the spring is out the back pops right off!
Now you can get inside at everything to do your rebuild.

Hope this helps, Bob S.

Pete, as Bob has stated, these do come apart.

However, they are complicated and there is a high risk of breaking the retainer/spider. Which (as far as I know) is no longer available.
I have rebuilt four and don't recommend it unless there is a good reason.

There are two very, very small copper disc's soldered to the wire on both sides of the mica (under the wax). So, there is a balance in place. The paper gaskets are also not available either (as far as I know) and will fall apart if taken apart.

I would be happy and willing to give you step by step instructions, if you want to PM me.... .