Panatrope simple improvement.

[larryh]

I couldn't locate the thread which I saw this in the other day so I am starting another. I have a Brunswick Panatrope Portable which is shown on my you tube, Acousticedison, channel. I got it about a year ago and its in fine condition. The sound was also good but something just seemed not quite right, the clarity on most records seemed a bit questionable and a metalic sound to the music often could be heard.

In the thread I could't find was a suggestion that someone had put some penetrating oil on the ball bearings. I had put a few drops of regular light weight oil on them when I got it, but the penetrating oil made a much larger improvement. It now plays about as close to new as I can think it could. The sound is extremely clear and somehow a bit more full. I still need to check the first elbow past the reproducer to see if it could use a bit of grease to seal it better. Evidently the Panatrope design didn't use adjustable set screws on either side of the pivot of the stylus bar but simply let it float in a ring of ball bearings. Not much else to go wrong so long as the metal diaphragm is still in good shape which mine seems to be. I am quite pleased that now I can play it without thinking something is a bit off. I will have to make some new videos displaying it. Wether the difference can be detected I am not sure, I just know from my end the sound is very pleasant.

Larry

[CharliePhono]

Larry, thanks for posting. I have one of these machines as well and am anxious to try what you suggest.

[larryh]

I think that it will only be beneficial if the diaphragm is not damaged in any way. My guess is that with time the ball bearings which were most likely greased or oiled originally over time they become dry or stuck. Freeing them up allows the movement of the stylus bar to work as intended. I have played quite a few more of my othophonic recordings and the improvement is noticeable. The only thing I wish is that Brunswick would have provided a spring that would have played the 12 inch records. Mine usually winds down before it gets to near the end.

Larry

[OrthoSean]

It may have been a comment I made about that. When I bought my Cortez from a member here awhile back, I had nothing to compare it to, but I had heard others a long time before. I knew something was a little off with mine, so I removed the retainer that holds the bearings in place, shot a tiny bit of cleaner in to de-gunk whatever was there, allowed it to dry, then put a drop of penetrating oil in each side and reassembled everything. Made the machine not only louder, but much more clear and "punchy". I'm glad it helped yours out, Larry! Wouldn't it be nice if all reproducers were that simple to work on?

Sean

[larryh]

Yes Sean it would be for sure. I am putting up four records today that use that Panatrope Portable. The real issue in any of this sound is the record. Getting really clear recordings of many types of music is not easy an I went though quite a few to be reasonably satisfied with the ones I will have up today.

Larry

Here is the first record of the set. Cobblestones, Its not perfect but does pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKLxPnyT8zg

[larryh]

I should have also made another fix while I was at it before I recorded today. I noted that the fitting for the arm to tilt back was rather wobbly, so thus leaking or perhaps adding to some of the slightly off sounds. This afternoon I took that apart and added vaseline sufficient to seal the two parts. As others have noted I detect a bit stronger bass and clarity. I think this is now the best portable I have yet to own. I also while I had the whole tone arm off to access the pivot for them reproducer section added some grease to the bottom of the rear support plate for the tone arm.

[larryh]

I have pretty satisfying results now but I still detect a metallic ring over a few notes, not sure how one would remove those? My Columbia 800 reproducer doesn't seem to have the same sound in the same places?

[Oceangoer1]

I have pretty satisfying results now but I still detect a metallic ring over a few notes, not sure how one would remove those? My Columbia 800 reproducer doesn't seem to have the same sound in the same places?

I remember Wyatt posting something about restoring the Panatrope 109. He said that he spent hours removing each and every stray used needle from the horn compartment because they would rattle at high frequencies. I am in the process of a tear down on one of these too, and those needles get stuck in the most difficult places!

Check the corners (crimped/joined areas) of the inside of the horn to be sure there aren't any needles floating around. If that doesn't help, maybe a tightening of all the screws in the whole machine (case included) is needed to eliminate the possibility of loose parts rattling in response to loud volume or high frequencies.

-Connor

[larryh]

Thanks for that tip. I think there aren't any but who knows? On my edison recordings I found that the lamp on top of the cabinet could put off some noticeable buzzing feedback on certain notes, and as you mention It also has a hinge pin that wants to work loose which sometimes let the hinge buzz in loud portions.

Larry

[CharliePhono]

I think that it will only be beneficial if the diaphragm is not damaged in any way. My guess is that with time the ball bearings which were most likely greased or oiled originally over time they become dry or stuck. Freeing them up allows the movement of the stylus bar to work as intended. I have played quite a few more of my othophonic recordings and the improvement is noticeable. The only thing I wish is that Brunswick would have provided a spring that would have played the 12 inch records. Mine usually winds down before it gets to near the end.

Larry

Hi Larry, can you share the brand of penetrating oil you used? I'm always interested to see what other brands collectors trust and use on their machines. Thanks!