The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It's complete. The wood is solid but slightly distressed from being stored in an attic. The metal parts are great, except for the original horn, which is pretty rusty. It has the 2/4 minute gearing kit (including the box's lid), C and H reproducers (both in good condition) and a recorder, which is unfortunately missing its stylus and bar.
With a little oil and a belt, it ran played. I paid $240.
It's now apart for cleaning and re-lubing. The only issue is that the 2/4 minute gear knob will quickly disengage from 4 minute "mode". The safety pin was put there to hold it in place.

I've always thought the the B Standard with two and four minute gearing is an outstanding workhorse of a phonograph. It looks like all you need is a gear cover. Good find at a fair price. Congratulations! Jerry Blais

Hello,
Looks like your machine should clean up nicely. I would get out the GoJo cleaner it works very good on both the wooden cabinet as well as the painted bed plate and carriage parts. It will take several application.
Pete

Thanks everyone. The wood cleaned up well with the Gojo treatment and the machinery is running great. The 2/4 minute speed selector is still working itself from the 4 minute gearing into a "false neutral" between 4 and 2 minute gears. This will keep the mandrel spinning but the feed screw stops. 2 minute works fine. Nothing appears to be worn.
Does anyone have any advice on how to keep it playing in 4 minute "mode"? I'm currently using an O-ring to hold the selector in gear.
Thank you.

donniej wrote:The 2/4 minute speed selector is still working itself from the 4 minute gearing into a "false neutral" between 4 and 2 minute gears. This will keep the mandrel spinning but the feed screw stops. 2 minute works fine. Nothing appears to be worn.
Does anyone have any advice on how to keep it playing in 4 minute "mode"? I'm currently using an O-ring to hold the selector in gear.
Thank you.

I'm having the same problem with my first cylinder machine (Standard D) and would like to find out what the fix is.

Keep up the good effort.

If I recall the shaft on the knob piece had a small piece of bent spring steel in the body that held the shaft in place after it moved. It put a small amount of tension on the shaft. It was easy to lose. The shaft was put in the hole with the spring on the bottom then the knob was installed. It was like one eight inch by three eighths. I will have to pull out a standard D to double check but it will not be till Monday. Tom B

Im not a expert by any means,Ive only been doing this a few years or so but I have purchased quite a few cylinder players.I think you did well on your buy with the reproducer with a good stylus included,those alone can cost a good amount.I love the grain pattern on the cabinet and most of the original decals are still there .the metal all looks good and should polish up nicely.enjoy.

tomb wrote:If I recall the shaft on the knob piece had a small piece of bent spring steel in the body that held the shaft in place after it moved. It put a small amount of tension on the shaft. It was easy to lose. The shaft was put in the hole with the spring on the bottom then the knob was installed. It was like one eight inch by three eighths. I will have to pull out a standard D to double check but it will not be till Monday. Tom B

Tom B's memory is correct for the 2&4 minute shift knob on the Standard D.

It is different on the 2&4 minute combination kit installed on your Standard B.
There is a set screw to adjust the amount of tension on the shift knob shaft. Turning this set screw in or out will increase or decrease the tension on the shaft via a spring and round spacer.
So if your 2&4 minute shaft is to loose it can be tighten up to hold the correct position.
Larry Crandell

Phonolair wrote: There is a set screw to adjust the amount of tension on the shift knob shaft. Turning this set screw in or out will increase or decrease the tension on the shaft via a spring and round spacer.
So if your 2&4 minute shaft is to loose it can be tighten up to hold the correct position.

Larry Crandell

That was it!!
Thanks so much Larry, I never would have noticed it!