FOLLOW THE RESTORATION: Gold Edison P-1 Portable Reproducer
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:38 pm
This is a reproducer for the Edison P-1 Needle Type portable phonograph. Following the low selling NTP (Needle Type Portable), the P-1 is a blue leatherette covered suitcase style phonograph with gold plated hardware, and a large folded fiber internal horn. The weak point with the P-1, in regards to its longevity, is its cast pot metal reproducer. The reproducers warp, swell, crack, and fall apart. This is just one of the things we accept when we purchase a P-1...that the reproducer is most likely not in playable condition, and that it is even more likely that it can not be repaired.
Until now. This is one for the books. I have probably had at least 6 of these come through my hands, each and every one had some level of pot metal warpage or cracking that made it a challenge to service, or left deemed unserviceable. 4 became display pieces. Two were playable, but not adjustable or serviceable. Which brings us to this unit. It is an ABSOLUTE ANOMALY. Not only did I REQUIRE it to come apart because the diaphragm was cracked and damaged, but it came apart WITHOUT A FIGHT. I guess I have been a good boy lately.
Three items I need to tend to: 1.replace the diaphragm, 2. repair the chipped needle bar fastening block (intact, but made out of pot metal, prone to chipping) and 3. clean off some yellow paint that someone decorated the circumference of the reproducer with (no idea why anyone would do this, but they did!) The paint came off by soaking the part in alcohol and scrubbing with a toothbrush.
The old diaphragm was riveted to the needle bar but unfortunately very Very damaged, I just ripped it off. The new diaphragm....another freak part that is not common, I sourced from a close friend that had NOS diaphragms for these. I trimmed the diaphragm to the diameter needed, and sandwiched it between the shellacked cardstock gaskets that held the original diaphragm. The needle bar end lightly touched the tip of the diaphragm cone, perfectly, just as new. I attached the needle bar using the original rivet, and reinforced the fastener with cyanoacrylate.
The needlebar block (which holds the needle bar tongue spring to the reproducer body) had chips near the screw holes. I wrapped a piece of masking tape around it to keep the repair resin from dripping, and using a small screwdriver I built up the areas, and at the same time pushed the resin back to keep the screw holes open. After 30 minutes, I removed the tape, filed back the excess resin, then sanded it and painted it black. Voila!
Reassembly was the reverse of disassembly. The original rubber on the back flange was still soft, but not as soft as it should be, but still serviceable. Because of the reproducer's needle bar spring it isn't as sensitive as a reproducer with bearing suspended needle bars, but it still plays quite nicely, with great sensitivity to lower frequencies because of the larger diaphragm diameter. No need for a needle louder than a Medium Tone. The back casting and face bezel casting have NO CRACKS AT ALL!
I need to find a screw for the flange (it goes into an "L" shaped slot on the tone arm), but the reproducer is done, although I don't have a machine for it. If you need one, I may consider parting with it.
Until now. This is one for the books. I have probably had at least 6 of these come through my hands, each and every one had some level of pot metal warpage or cracking that made it a challenge to service, or left deemed unserviceable. 4 became display pieces. Two were playable, but not adjustable or serviceable. Which brings us to this unit. It is an ABSOLUTE ANOMALY. Not only did I REQUIRE it to come apart because the diaphragm was cracked and damaged, but it came apart WITHOUT A FIGHT. I guess I have been a good boy lately.
Three items I need to tend to: 1.replace the diaphragm, 2. repair the chipped needle bar fastening block (intact, but made out of pot metal, prone to chipping) and 3. clean off some yellow paint that someone decorated the circumference of the reproducer with (no idea why anyone would do this, but they did!) The paint came off by soaking the part in alcohol and scrubbing with a toothbrush.
The old diaphragm was riveted to the needle bar but unfortunately very Very damaged, I just ripped it off. The new diaphragm....another freak part that is not common, I sourced from a close friend that had NOS diaphragms for these. I trimmed the diaphragm to the diameter needed, and sandwiched it between the shellacked cardstock gaskets that held the original diaphragm. The needle bar end lightly touched the tip of the diaphragm cone, perfectly, just as new. I attached the needle bar using the original rivet, and reinforced the fastener with cyanoacrylate.
The needlebar block (which holds the needle bar tongue spring to the reproducer body) had chips near the screw holes. I wrapped a piece of masking tape around it to keep the repair resin from dripping, and using a small screwdriver I built up the areas, and at the same time pushed the resin back to keep the screw holes open. After 30 minutes, I removed the tape, filed back the excess resin, then sanded it and painted it black. Voila!
Reassembly was the reverse of disassembly. The original rubber on the back flange was still soft, but not as soft as it should be, but still serviceable. Because of the reproducer's needle bar spring it isn't as sensitive as a reproducer with bearing suspended needle bars, but it still plays quite nicely, with great sensitivity to lower frequencies because of the larger diaphragm diameter. No need for a needle louder than a Medium Tone. The back casting and face bezel casting have NO CRACKS AT ALL!
I need to find a screw for the flange (it goes into an "L" shaped slot on the tone arm), but the reproducer is done, although I don't have a machine for it. If you need one, I may consider parting with it.
Aside from a slightly different front plate and the missing Edison inscription on the back it seems to be identical. Amazingly it is in near perfect condition, no swollen pot metal, great original diaphragm, no cracks, etc. The back flange rubber is hard like concrete, but it is also loose, so I will replace it when I get a chance.