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Hello, I'm New to the forum. This Brunswick #12 was given to my wife by her Mother. My wife's Great Grandfather was the original owner. When we took ownership of it, both motor springs were broken so we sent it off to a pro for repairs. I'm hoping the members here can educate me a little bit on how to use this machine properly. I don't want to damage the records. For starters, the records seem to skip a lot. They seem to do better with the weight to the front of the tone arm but I'm thinking I read somewhere that the weight is supposed to be at the back. I have new needles and I do know it's one needle per play. Is it most likely the condition of the records or is there something I can do to make the needle track better? The other question is about horizontal and vertical cut records. I don't know how to tell the difference between the two. I have some records that are thicker, like 3/16". Can someone tell me what they are? Lastly, this unit has the Pathé needle and I do have some records labeled Pathé. I assume only those Pathé records should be played on that Pathé needle? Well, that's enough for now. Thanks, Buck

Brunswick #12 Serial 128232 Number on cabinet by speaker grille 3865-12832

P.S. Sorry about the sideways pictures. Not sure how to correct them.

Tap on the picture with a kindle fire
or tablet or perhaps click
once or twice with a mouse.

Welcome to the forum. Here is a link to the reproducer instructions http://www.nipperhead.com/old/brult.htm The tonearm needs to be pushed back but the weight needs to be forward when playing Victor records. Some things to check. Make sure the machine is level. Early acoustic records play best. The tonearm needs to move freely. Hope this helps. Jan

What type (labels, companies, etc.) records are you trying to play? Victor, Columbia, Edison, etc. The first thing to know is that your machine is capable of playing all types, but requires the use of either steel needles, Pathé or diamond styli and the reproducer has to be in the "correct position" to play each different type.

Here is an article from eBay which is a good beginning educational piece regarding the different type records and what is required to play them on a phonograph.
http://www.ebay.com/gds/Lateral-Cut-vs- ... 449/g.html

The good thing about Brunswick machines is that the reproducers were originally equipped with a diamond stylus on the flat side of the reproducer that is mounted to a small bar that toggles up and down. This is what is required to play Edison Diamond discs on your machine. There are also two chucks to hold steel needles and Pathé needles, as pictured in your first pic. In the pic, the chuck facing downward is for steel needles, which are held in with a thumb screw. The chuck that is angled outward is for a Pathé needle, which you can recognize by the small glass ball on the tip.

Steel needles are used to play most common 78s, such as Victor, Victrola, Brunswick, Columbia, etc. Edison Diamond discs require the previously mentioned diamond styli and Pathé records can be either lateral or vertical cut records along with a few others. If you try to play a diamond disc or a vertical cut record with a steel needle, it will skip, slide or ruin the record - at minimum, it won't play correctly. A Pathé vertical cut record will do the same if played with a steel needle... Also, when playing a Pathé vertical cut record you need to remove the steel needle and position the reproducer so that the angled chuck and Pathé needle are facing straight toward the front of the phonograph. Also, when playing any record make sure that the tonearm and reproducer are on the left side of the record (your right side as you are facing the record) so that when the record rotates the needle glides on the record, not digging in to it...

There are a lot of things to learn, but it is worth your time to educate yourself, as I am sure you will find interesting and rewarding to experience the top entertainment of the past. Post any questions you might have about anything regarding your machine and I am sure there are many people here who will help. By the way, post pictures of the record labels that you have tried and they can be identified as to the type and what you might need to play them. There are many resources here for records, needles, etc. so ask if you need anything... Thanks for posting.

Those thick records might be Edison Diamond Discs which are about ¼" thick. But said you didn't know what they were, so maybe the labels fell off or maybe they have the etched labels? If there are Edisons, do not play them with the steel needle. You must use the diamond stylus on the side of the reproducer.

marcapra wrote:Those thick records might be Edison Diamond Discs which are about ¼" thick. But said you didn't know what they were, so maybe the labels fell off or maybe they have the etched labels? If there are Edisons, do not play them with the steel needle. You must use the diamond stylus on the side of the reproducer.

This is a Brunswick that doesn't have the "other side". So not sure how Edisons may have been played on it?

In looking at your second picture, I realized that you have a different Brunswick reproducer than is referred to in the manual that was posted. It is basically the same, but does not have a built in diamond needle on the flat side. It can still play Edison Diamond disc records using the Pathé "needle chuck" with a diamond stylus. If you have some loose needles with the machine, check to see if you have any that have a shoulder on them (not straight pointed steel needles) and may have a diamond point or glass ball on the end. They both look similar, but with a magnifying glass (or good eyes) you can tell if it comes to a sharp point (diamond) or glass ball (Pathé). If you don't have them, they are available.

Also, please note that the one time per play only applies to steel needles... the diamond and Pathé ball tip styli are permanent and can be used over and over if not damaged..

I saw a photo of an oak Brunswick 117 that had an Edison Diamond Disc on the turntable.The Ultona was in the position for lateral.EEEK!Obviously,they didn't know or had a copy of the Ultona manual!edisonplayer

Thanks for the replies. Here are 3 examples of the records I'm talking about. The Brunswick, I'm playing with a steel needle. The Edison is the thick record. Not sure what to play it with. The Pathé, (oops, I got it upside down) I assume uses the Pathé needle but I haven't tried it yet. Any info on the approximate year this unit was made would be appreciated. I'm guessing early 20's because the horn is oval with no square corners.
Thanks, Buck.