Barona tone arm

[tcmeeno]

I picked up this Barona lately and noticed it has a non factory tone arm. I purchased a tone arm in very nice shape but the stops won`t allow it go across the record. Is this an original type arm and could the stops be altered so it will work or should I get a different arm?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks Terry

[OrthoFan]

Interestingly, the tonearm that came with your Victrola is actually closer in style to its original equipment than the one you bought as a replacement. The tonearm that appears in the top photo was used on Victrolas produced during the late teens through early/mid 1925. It was fitted with the Victor #2 sound box. (A Victor Orthophonic sound box, which is correct for the Barona, will not fit this earlier style tone arm.)

The Barona was manufactured during the latter 1920s and was the Canadian market version of the VV-4-40 sold in the US. (SEE: http://www.victor-victrola.com/4-40.htm ) It was equipped with a medium size Orthophonic tonearm, and an Orthophonic sound box, nearly identical to this one:



(MORE PHOTOS HERE: http://www.collectorsworldwest.com/lookup.php?id=148 )

Orthophonic tonearms and sound boxes come up for sale quite often on eBay. Any model Orthophonic sound box will work, as long as it's in good condition, but you'll probably have to hunt down the proper medium-size tone arm. I just took a simple measurement of the tonearm on my 4-40. If I draw a straight line from the back pivot pin at the base of the tonearm, to the front of the opening, it measure 8 ½ inches:

tonearm.JPG (22.12 KiB) Viewed 4425 times

Once restored with the correct components, your Barona will provide a room filling sound, and considerable bass, especially when good condition Orthophonic era (mid-1920s to early 1930s) electrically recorded records are played.

This page, in case you're interested, provides a crash course on what the Orthophonic Victrola was all about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Ort ... c_Victrola , though the horn fitted into the Credenza was six feet long, not nine. Another excellent online resource is the Victor-Victrola page -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/ -- and, of course, this site.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

These pics of the Barona are interesting. I had one years ago ( and still regret selling it , but I won't start..) But the thing is, I seem to recall that the tone arm in mine was nearer the centre of the cabinet. I wonder if there were variations in the run of the model? I see that machine was originally sold by Heintzman: the premier Canadian piano manufacturer and Victor jobber for much of Ontario. The Heintzman building on Yonge Street in Toronto provided them with a huge retail space ( the building is still standing.) I understand it was the largest Victor showroom in the province. In some Victrolas...the " from Heintzman and Co " decal is almost as prominent as the Victor logo leading to those craigslist postings offering a " Heintzman Gramophone"

[tcmeeno]

Thanks for all the good information. I will look for a tonearm and soundbox. Are all orthophonic reproducers the same quality or are some better?
I didn't realize that the Barona will give as good sound as the Credenza! I'm sure the original type equipment will make it sound better than it does now.
Thanks again for the help.
Terry

[OrthoFan]

I didn't realize that the Barona will give as good sound as the Credenza! I'm sure the original type equipment will make it sound better than it does now.
Thanks again for the help.
Terry

To be honest, the VV-4-40 ad from Collectors World West (posted above) kind of exaggerated the performance of the 4-40. The Credenza has a larger re-entrant style horn--six feet--and therefore pumps out stronger mid-range and more bass. Nonetheless, the 4-40, with it's (approximately) 4&¾ foot re-entrant style horn, is very powerful, especially when dance records of the late 1920s/early 1930s are played. It also does a very good job with most types of records, even classical, and band music, as this youtube clip shows:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nyOs1veDes[/youtube]
Any type of Victor Orthophonic sound box will work. (The back of the sound box will be stamped "Orthophonic," so they are easy to identify.) The main thing is to get one in good condition, with no cracks or swelling of the pot-metal casing. If you find one you are curious about, and want to make sure, you can always post a photo or link to the ad here, and we'll be glad to give you our opinions. Normally, any sound box you buy will probably have to be overhauled if it's in "original" or "as found" condition. A couple of this boards members can probably help you there, too.

OF

[tcmeeno]

Thanks again ; found this arm in a box of parts but of course it has its problems but I think it will work.
Terry

[tcmeeno]

Heres the pic

[Neophone]

Terry,

That looks like the right tone-arm alright, now all you need is a new back-bracket. Check out APSCO's offerings about halfway down the page here. Good luck.

Regards,
John

[tcmeeno]

I spose these tone arm brackets don't show up on ebay too often. I wonder if they could be repaired with an epoxy metal material and then remachined?
terry

[1926CredenzaOwner]

!