The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Victor Colony (minus the glorious brass OSB that I was hoping to find in the bowels of the cabinet) that I am restoring for a friend. She wants to play primarily 1940's era 78 records (Red Columbia labels) as well as the period correct records for this machine. I know those later records can overload Orthophonic reproducers, so I was wondering if another reproducer will fit on the tonearm in order to play them better ( I was thinking of those little silver ones that come on Birch portables). I know those Red Columbias shouldn't really be played on acoustic machines, but they can sound mighty fine on my Viva Tonal floor model. I would also like to point out the HMV 102, which is an acoustic phonograph with the heavy tracking system, which was sold until 1960 as a way to play those later 78's.

I play red Columbias all the time on my XI w/Exhibition and soft-tone needles. Harry James, Benny Goodman, et al. Can't say how they would do on an Ortho.

I would say that a Victrola No. 4 or Victrola No. 4 "A" would be good, it was put out by Victor as a all purpose reproducer.

I have a VV-2-65 with the late period Orthophonic sound box and it plays records all the way up to the fifties fine. The only ones it won't play well are vinyl 78s.

I also have one of the really late Orthophonic reproducers. It is possibly the last one ever produced because it has all the normal features of an OSB that went on regular Orthophonic portables, except it says "RCA Victor Orthophonic", it is lacking the spider, but still has the normal Orthophonic diaphragm, and there aren't even any screws to hold in the back flange, it is glued/bonded to the throat of the reproducer. It is antique bronze finished and has the felt screen and extra metal layer that came on portable's OSB's. I have it on my HMV 102 and you're right! It is amazingly versatile, as it does very well on WWII 78's as well as 1920's 78's. But, this is my best OSB with its practically perfect pot metal, and original soft flange, so I really want to keep this one!

That is probably off a 2-65. That was the first portable branded with RCA-Victor.

I also play red Columbias and 40's discs on the Credenza and its orthophonic soundbox with no issues.