The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is the R a rare bird or a common reproducer? I spied one atop the carriage of what I believe was a Standard B in an antique shop this past weekend. I personally had not seen one before. The machine had the 2/4 minute conversion kit on it as well as a somewhat tatty, but fairly presentable, fiber horn and original crane. My curiosity is up, as I wondered at the prevalence of the R reproducer.

Hello,
The model R 4- minute reproducer was made for use in the Standard size carriage but had a larger top diaphragm like the model N. I wouldn't call them rare but they certainly do not turn up that often. I would think they are much less common than the model K. A nice model K reproducer is worth around $250/$275 so I would think a model R would be in the same ball park.
Pete

Thank you, Flashpanblue!

I'd be interested to know what model Standard it was. Maybe an E, F or G with the large carriage.

Rich Gordon

rgordon939 wrote:I'd be interested to know what model Standard it was. Maybe an E, F or G with the large carriage.

Rich Gordon

It appeared to be a late model B with the early style 2-4 gear conversion kit. It sported the banner decal. It appeared to be the conventional standard carriage.

The main issue with that reproducer the expansion of the pot metal. They crack and fall apart. Or they swell so much that they cannot be disassembled for servicing. I have rebuilt several of these, and it was not a walk in the park. Sometimes they simply cannot be disassembled. If you want a superb sounding reproducer buy one of the Max Wurker ones.

MicaMonster wrote:The main issue with that reproducer the expansion of the pot metal. They crack and fall apart. Or they swell so much that they cannot be disassembled for servicing. I have rebuilt several of these, and it was not a walk in the park. Sometimes they simply cannot be disassembled. If you want a superb sounding reproducer buy one of the Max Wurker ones.

Indeed. When I was inspecting the machine, I wanted to get a closer look at the reproducer, so, after loosening the set screw, very gingerly attempted to move it -- it wouldn't budge. I thought then there had to be pot metal composition and let it be. It was stuck fast in the carriage.