Victrola No. 2 tone adjustment

[KenO]

I am in need of any available information regarding the possibility of "tuning" a Victrola No. 2 sound box. I am new to all of this but have recently completed the rehabilitation of a Victrola that I will soon post in the Featured Phonographs" section. Part of the rehabbing was rebuilding the sound box. New mica, new gaskets, and new cute little springs right where the needle chuck is. One of the existing springs was broken. I am confident I put it back together correctly however I am not totally happy with what I guess you would refer to as the tone. It is sort of what I call "brash". I saw something somewhere that leads me to believe the tension or position of the cute little springs might have something to do with the tone. I took many photos of the sound box before I took it apart and tried to get the small screws and nuts back in the same relative position. Just wondering if adjustment of these screws has any thing to do with quality of the tone.
Thank you very much for any replies. (I love this forum)

[winsleydale]

For the record, TMF Tech support forums are for issues relating to the function of the forum itself, i.e. you can't add a file to a post and you don't know why.

Anyhow, to help answer your question - the screws that hold the 'cute little springs' in place can be adjusted to tune the reproducer. What they do is to change the 'rest' position of the needle bar. If you look down at the diaphragm from a sharp angle, you should see that it is flat when in rest position. If the diaphragm is bowed in or out, that's when you make adjustments to the screws.

To me, the tone is always sorta 'brash' - very forward, strong in the mids, and can be very loud. That's normal. What ISN'T normal is if there is blasting or buzzing, like you hear when you turn a stereo up too loud. But it looks like you've already dealt with the factors that usually cause such effects.

If I've said something wrong, or missed something, I'm sure other members will chime in and help out.

[KenO]

Thanks for the info regarding tuning the sound box. It makes perfect sense.

[AZ*]

What kind of records and needles are you using?

Even a perfectly adjusted #2 soundbox can sound edgy or shrill if you play a 1940s electrically recorded disk with a loud tone needle.

Also, what gaskets are you using?

[KenO]

Hello AZ*,
Thanks for your reply to my question regarding "tuning" my Victrola No. 2.
The mix of records I have obtained at estate sales might be the answer to some of them sounding brash or shrill. Some of the ones I have sound very "normal" for lack of a better word. I have not educated myself very well on 78's at this point so I really do not know how to determine when a specific record was made. The only thing I have noticed so far is that some records are thicker than others. I do remember reading somewhere not to play records that were made after a certain year. I use a new needle for every play so I really do not see how a record made later than recommended can hurt anything except maybe the ears.
When I ordered the needles there was a choice between "loud" and "soft". I ordered the "soft".
All of the sound box parts I used came from Wyatt's Musical Americana. I replaced the mica diaphragm, the diaphragm gaskets (red), the rubber fitting, and the needle bar tension springs. You asked what gaskets I used and I don't know any better way to describe them other than to say they are red. I have seen No. 2's on the internet that appear to have a white gasket (the visible one at least.

Basically another subject: do you have any suggestions as to how to affix my new turntable felt to the turntable? I have contemplated using spray adhesive but am a little leery about the fact that once it touches it is basically where it is going.

Thanks for the input on the sound box and any additional suggestions you can provide.
KenO

[gramophone78]

Hello AZ*,
Thanks for your reply to my question regarding "tuning" my Victrola No. 2.
The mix of records I have obtained at estate sales might be the answer to some of them sounding brash or shrill. Some of the ones I have sound very "normal" for lack of a better word. I have not educated myself very well on 78's at this point so I really do not know how to determine when a specific record was made. The only thing I have noticed so far is that some records are thicker than others. I do remember reading somewhere not to play records that were made after a certain year. I use a new needle for every play so I really do not see how a record made later than recommended can hurt anything except maybe the ears.
When I ordered the needles there was a choice between "loud" and "soft". I ordered the "soft".
All of the sound box parts I used came from Wyatt's Musical Americana. I replaced the mica diaphragm, the diaphragm gaskets (red), the rubber fitting, and the needle bar tension springs. You asked what gaskets I used and I don't know any better way to describe them other than to say they are red. I have seen No. 2's on the internet that appear to have a white gasket (the visible one at least.

Basically another subject: do you have any suggestions as to how to affix my new turntable felt to the turntable? I have contemplated using spray adhesive but am a little leery about the fact that once it touches it is basically where it is going.

Thanks for the input on the sound box and any additional suggestions you can provide.
KenO

I would suggest using the forum search option regarding both #2 reproducer adjustments and parts replacement (even where to locate). Also, turntable felt replacement suggestions and "how to". You will find several excellent threads already written in great detail on these subjects. You may also want to look through our Tech & Tips section where most of these threads are found.
I hope this helps.. .

[Henry]

The only thing I have noticed so far is that some records are thicker than others. I do remember reading somewhere not to play records that were made after a certain year. I use a new needle for every play so I really do not see how a record made later than recommended can hurt anything except maybe the ears.
When I ordered the needles there was a choice between "loud" and "soft". I ordered the "soft".
KenO

KenO, as for the thicker records, make sure they are not marked "Edison". These are about ¼" thick, and are not playable on your Victrola; they will be ruined if you do.

With my own 78 collection, I do not hesitate to play recordings from all eras, but always excepting the late vinyl 78s. These will be destroyed if played on an acoustic machine.

Your choice of soft-tone needles is a good one. On my XI, I get plenty of volume with soft-tones in the Exhibition sound box. In my experience, loud-tone needles will distort the sound if used in a properly restored and tuned sound box.

[KenO]

To Henry and gramophone 78:
Thanks for the tips and suggestions! As mentioned earlier I am new to all of this, including the forum. Not even sure if I can reply to both of you with one reply. As soon as I can find time I will post my machine with plenty of photos. At 73 I am probably into this for life.
I LOVE THIS FORUM!

[gramophone78]

To Henry and gramophone 78:
Thanks for the tips and suggestions! As mentioned earlier I am new to all of this, including the forum. Not even sure if I can reply to both of you with one reply. As soon as I can find time I will post my machine with plenty of photos. At 73 I am probably into this for life.
I LOVE THIS FORUM!

Glad we could provide you with some assistance. You will find many helpful members and an abundance of great threads. This forum is very user friendly. However, if you can't figure out something....just ask away... . One of us will try and help.

If you believe your into this for life, your in good company..... .

Welcome.

[winsleydale]

Whren I was putting new felt on one of my Edison turtables, the way I did it was to spread a thin layer of white glue on the platter and stick the felt on. Now, I would probably use hide glue if I did it again, but the white glue worked well enough and is reversible with a little soaking.