The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everybody. I have been searching high and low for the tone arm for that Vocalion I posted about a few weeks back, and all I can find is other people who can't find it. I've come to the conclusion that even if I do find one, being pot metal it will self-destruct at some point anyway. So, I am going to part the machine out after all.

So here's what I've got:

-3 needle cups, dark finish (everything else is gold finish)
-Double-spring Swiss motor, not rebuilt but whisper-silent with no rumbling that I have noticed
-Cast iron turntable with excellent felt, not sure if original but looks to be
-Little turntable light, small crack in cap but does not impair function. Needs new bulb.
-Tone arm bracket and elbow
-Hinges, screws, and knobs
-Horn, or just the cast iron part if you so desire
-Semi-auto brake
-Speed control
-Lid brace thing
-Long crank, neither threaded nor slotted. Kind of shaped so that it only works the correct way. Really loud whistle if you blow across it like a bottle.
-I guess the cabinet counts, as well. I don't expect anybody will want that, though.

I don't know how to price these things with any sort of accuracy yet, so shoot me an offer if you fancy something. You pay shipping, because I'm too poor. I'll take a check, cash if you're close (or bold enough to post it), and I guess I would take a money order but you have to tell me how to use it, I haven't the slightest clue.

PM me if you want anything. Have a good day.

Hello, Try and keep the parts for a while---if you sell, then what you are looking for will turn up. That light sounds really interesting and if the parts are gold plate, it is an upper end machine. If it is a cheaper model or was a higher costing machine---the brand should be kept alive. try an epoxy to repair the broken piece. Also polymer clay is a hobby modeling material that can be used to cast and make different things---it is pretty cheap and maybe you can make parts for others to complete their broken tone arms. Look into it. Would like to see a photo of your Aeolian Vocalion, I have an upright---gold plate and a lower costing model---nickel plated. If either had broken parts, I would still keep them--just for their uniqueness, I am not aware of any other machine having the Graduola feature or using bakelite knobs, escushion, or black needle cups. I am a bit on the side---"don't have the money" but believe if you can't fix it now---it doesn't mean you won't be able to fix it in the future. ---Herb

It's not that my tone arm is broken, it's completely gone. If it was just broken, I'd totally fix it. Believe me, I'd like to save it but I just don't think it's liable to happen.

Do you have the graduola part? I need the outer bakelite piece. Thanks Jan

phonogal wrote:Do you have the graduola part? I need the outer bakelite piece. Thanks Jan

Sent you details in a PM.

I may have a complete gold tonearm assembly----buried somewhere----have patience