The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am having an irritating issue with my Victrola XVI's tone arm. When I try to put the reproducer into the rest position it gets stuck and just floats there in the air. I have no idea what could be causing this. I have included pictures, the goose neck part of the tone arm just wont go any further back than where it is floating in the picture. Any thoughts on how I can fix this?

-Steve

That piece on the end with the little slot unscrews and the gooseneck will come out. Make sure it is not out-of-round inside there, and make sure it is lubricated with some oil or grease.

I had a Victor III that did that, and it was a burr in the opening on the U-tube that would catch inside. I had to sand it down and then it was fine. Someone had been in there and messed around with it for some reason.

Caution !


I have an L-door XVI with similar gold-finish tone arm.

That end-plug in the gooseneck is stuck tight. Haven't been able to budge it, and I stopped trying for fear of marring the screw-slot.

Suggest applying a penetrating oil such as Kroil or PB Blaster to the seam at either end of the gooseneck, and work the goose a bit. Let sit, then repeat. Might do the trick.


If you do go after that end plug, suggest using a quarter in that screw slot, rather than a steel screw-driver. Use pliers on the quarter if you need a better grip... Better to damage a quarter than your gold-plated end plug.

Thank you to all who have replied. I still honestly don't know what caused the problem, but by taking off the turntable and then proceeding to turning the goose neck clockwise several times I was then able to get it to move freely. It was such an odd thing.

-Steve