The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello


I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to answer a quick question...

I own a victor 3 phonograph, and I am unsure about the tone arm and back bracket.
A pro once told me that they were wrong for the machine, Yet the needle hits the spindle perfectly.

Is there another test ..... Or is this all I need to know?

Sincerely,
Charles Pistocco
ps- Does anyone have a nice horn for this machine?

Photo??

Yes, a photo would help. A general rule of thumb is the spindle test. If the needle hits the spindle it's correct. But that's not 100% correct. I recently bought a Victor II with a Victor III size back bracket and tone arm and the needle hit the spindle exactly. I have never tried a Victor II back bracket and tone arm on a Victor III so I can't comment on the spindle test with that combination.

Jerry Blais

Thanks Jerry-
I would have to think that if one is true, then the opposite is true.
You and I had a similar conversation a few years ago. No one has ever addressed the topic on correctly categorizing back brackets and tone arms.

We could give you accurate replies with a photo. Jerry

Hello folks
Here is a photo. Please don't let stencil decals fool you....I just put them on. aprox dimensions- 7.5 x 7.5 inches.
Thanks for all the help.

I checked a Victor III back bracket on my machine and it appears to be the same bracket you show in your photo. When you lift the Exhibition from its resting place is there a very small mark in the tone arm where it has rested for decades? If there is no mark or it's on the other side of the tone arm it may be that your tone arm was originally used on a Victrola. Maybe your expert was commenting on that feature. I wouldn't worry too much because the identical tone arm was used on some early Victrolas like the table model VV-X. On the Victrola the tone arm is turned one direction and on the Victor it's rolled a half turn the other direction. If your needle strikes the spindle you're good to go.

The decals on your back bracket look amazing. Can we all send ours to you for decal application?

I hope you enjoy your Victor III. It was a great machine in the early 20th Century as well as the 21st.

Jerry Blais

I agree with Jerry.... That is correct.....

Thanks for the info, and the complements! I ruined one set of decals before I got it right! It takes patience and practice. I will clear-coat them next...
-Best
Charlie