The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,

You have an amazing Forum here and I have used existing posts several times to help in the restoration of a VV-405 for my daughter (missing and lifting veneer, dog chewing, lots of staining, etc.) In cleaning the reproducer arm I noticed the diaphragm is cracked so I bought a rebuild kit. The picture shows where I have encountered a challenge: after loosening the two screws which hold the reproducer onto the arm, and letting some penetrating oil soak into the interface, I still can't budge the reproducer. I searched the Forum but wasn't able to find a procedure for removing this part. Since it is pot metal I am loathe to apply too much force. Have you any suggestions on how to proceed?

John

The screws do not hold the reproducer on the arm, they hold the rubber flange onto the reproducer. The flange has a pin that fits into a groove on the arm. If you're trying to just lift the reproducer off, it won't go because the pin is locked into a notch on the arm.

First, tighten the flange screws again. Hold the arm in your left hand so that the mica side of the reproducer is facing you. You should then use your right hand to rotate the reproducer counter-clockwise as far as it will go, maybe 15-20 degrees. Once you get to that point, you should be able to wiggle the reproducer around and slide it off the arm.

Good luck!

What 52089 said. Also this link may help: https://www.nipperhead.com/old/vic405.htm . See esp. pages 3-4-5.

And... no pot metal there.

Thanks for your help! It took a mighty twist but it finally turned to the 'stop' and then I could walk it off. The old rubber bushing is as hard as a rock. Here is what it looks like with the reproducer taken off of the arm:

I'm glad you were successful. Rebuilding the reproducer is not too difficult, except for removing the rubber back flange. You will find tips and tricks for doing that posted on the board.

Be sure to post before and after pics when you're done!

A few pictures of the process ...

So I see that one should load the pictures in reverse order. Next step is to wait for the rubber bushing to arrive (I thought I had ordered everything I needed but it was not to be ....)