The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here we go again......
I sent Peter Wall a brass Orthophonic sound box in October.
I was hoping to have it restored and returned by Christmas.
Seems he was having some health issues and got backlogged, so the wait was going to be a little longer than expected.
It's now June and he has not responded to several emails that I've sent over the last three or four weeks.
His voice mailbox is full, so I can't leave a phone message.
This seems to be a recurring theme with him.
Has anyone here spoken with him or gotten an email reply from him lately?

Gene

I had the same problem. I bought the Orthophonic Reproducer Repair Estimate on Ebay for $2.99 sometime last year (this listing does not exist anymore). And I never got a reply or any instructions after that. I'm still holding out just in case anyone hears from him.

Like I said in the past, He has done great work for me, it took him a little time. I just hope that he is ok.

I too sent one last fall and did get to speak to him about 2 months ago and he told me mine should be done that week and mailed back. Tried calling last week to follow up and got the same VM box full message and followed that with an email that has gone unanswered. At this point, I'd just like my reproducer back - I've sent two others in the meantime to Walt Sommers who did a fantastic job in a timely manner and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him as an alternate resource for OSB repair.

I sent him a reproducer from his Ebay ad. He and I talked on the phone several times. It took him about a year to claim my reproducer was finished. I never saw it. He asked for full payment. I asked for the return of my part. I still haven't received my reproducer back. I consider this theft. I would suggest others report him to Ebay so other people don't have their reproducers stolen. Meanwhile, George Epple is dependable and has rebuilt several for me so far.

I have heard from several other collectors who have been in limbo for many months with no response to multiple attempts to contact Peter.
I would strongly suggest to any forum member not to send a reproducer to Peter Wall, unless you live within walking distance of his residence and can regularly check on your reproducer in person, until there is some type of resolution here!
These are not inexpensive items that most of can afford to write off!!!

Gene

I guess this just goes to show that something as important as your reproducer should only be sent to techs with a high, word of mouth reputation within the hobby. I have had George Epple rebuild my pickups, but never a reproducer. Does he also rebuild acoustic reproducers?

marcapra wrote:I guess this just goes to show that something as important as your reproducer should only be sent to techs with a high, word of mouth reputation within the hobby

Peter is highly regarded by members on this forum and was recommended many times in the past as being the best when it comes to the Orthophonic, even though his repair turnaround can be a bit on the slow side. I don't think anyone has a problem with waiting a bit for good service, as long as there is some communication once in awhile. Having said that, I certainly hope nothing bad has happened to him.

marcapra wrote:I guess this just goes to show that something as important as your reproducer should only be sent to techs with a high, word of mouth reputation within the hobby. I have had George Epple rebuild my pickups, but never a reproducer. Does he also rebuild acoustic reproducers?

I wasn't going to comment here but now that I see others with major issues reported I will repeat my findings with his work. I too took the glowing comments of other members to trust that the work would be done correctly and to the improvement of sound. It wasn't that my reproducer was really bad, it just had some minor buzzing I thought should be easy for an expert to remove. I went though the usual long waits for any kind of responses. And several rather incoherent phone calls. Eventually my reproducer returned and I was looking forward to his supposed expert work to be a major improvement. What I got was a reproducer that now has almost no sound. It came back remarkable dull, probably a third the original range and volume. I called him but his story was that it sounded wonderful when he finished it. Period.. I put it in a box where it has remained for a couple years now. Personally I shutter when I see people have sent things to him. While undoubtedly some must have had good results, I have a feeling there are as many who had terrible results.

Larry

What variety of sound box, Larry?