The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is a photo of two customer repairs I am performing this week, a Victrola #2 and an HMV #4. The #2 will be receiving a mica disc of 1-31/32" diameter, and the HMV 2-3/16", and corresponding silicone gaskets that hold the diaphragms with GENTLE pressure. Aside from having the needle bar adjusted to be absolutely neutral when attached to the diaphragm, the flange material selection is of the most importance. Just thought I would share!

Hello Wyatt. I just ordered new gaskets and a flange for an HMV 104. Will I be receiving the same items as in your post? I ask because I know you are always on a quest for new and better soundbox restoration materials and thought perhaps the silicone material you speak of wasn't yet available to the general public. Thanks!

Wyatt- Is there a way you can dye your flange material black as original?

I've used silicone both for the back flanges, as well as for gasket material, and it works very well.

I don't know if you're aware of it, but you can get silicone caulk in black -- https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Silicone-II ... lk/3084585 I've also seen it in the smaller tubes.

OF

I understand the want and need for the flange material to be made out of black, which I have done, but if it's white, then I know it was done by me, most likely, and done correctly.

As far as #4 gasket material, I have only been able to find it in clear.

White flanges matter

Wyatt,
I've rec'd the rebuilt Victor #2. My first test was to simply install it, and listen to how it sounded. OH My Gosh! It sounded great!

Then, I compared it to a #2 that I had rebuilt last year using new parts which are readily available (gasket set, flange, springs). That one sounded good to me until I heard this one that you had rebuilt. First, the volume is noticeably louder. Second the tone range seems significantly expanded, with more lower end than the comparison #2. Thirdly, the clarity is superior! No resonances, no overbearing harshness and no distortion.

Thank you for your ongoing research. I appreciate your quest to optimize the quality of sound from these reproducers!

I love flanges, too!

CharliePhono wrote:Hello Wyatt. I just ordered new gaskets and a flange for an HMV 104. Will I be receiving the same items as in your post? I ask because I know you are always on a quest for new and better soundbox restoration materials and thought perhaps the silicone material you speak of wasn't yet available to the general public. Thanks!

With no response forthcoming, I presume the gasketing and flange I ordered from you are standard issue rubber. There was no mention in the eBay listing about silicone.

CharliePhono wrote:

CharliePhono wrote:Hello Wyatt. I just ordered new gaskets and a flange for an HMV 104. Will I be receiving the same items as in your post? I ask because I know you are always on a quest for new and better soundbox restoration materials and thought perhaps the silicone material you speak of wasn't yet available to the general public. Thanks!

With no response forthcoming, I presume the gasketing and flange I ordered from you are standard issue rubber. There was no mention in the eBay listing about silicone.

I think you may be confusing Wyatt Marcus aka MicaMonster with Wyatt's Musical Americana, a well known phonograph parts dealer. The gaskets and flanges described by MicaMonster in this thread are specially made and not available from the regular parts dealers. If you ordered from Wyatt's Musical Americana you will quite certainly receive regular rubber gaskets and flanges.

Andreas